Special Rapporteur on the human rights in Myanmar

38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Item 4:Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar

Organisation:CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you Mr President.

CSW welcomes the Special Rapporteurs report. We too remain concerned by the intensity of the conflict in Kachin and Shan states following the breakdown of the ceasefire. An unprecedented humanitarian crisis has been inflicted on the people of the Kachin region, and continues to escalate.

The displacement of thousands of civilians in Kachin and Karen states, and continuing grave human rights violations in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine states, represent a dramatic deterioration in the situation in Myanmar and a very serious setback to hopes for peace in the country.

The army not only target the KIA’s military posts, but also civilian areas including religious centres. Military jetfighters bombed the Kachin Baptist Mission School in Bawmwang village, northern Kachin State on 12 May. While there were no casualties, the bombs hit buildings belonging to the school.

We call on the international community to condemn the bombing of religious and educational centres and urge the Council to take immediate steps to end the culture of impunity in which the Myanmar Army currently operates. The perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held accountable.

We call on the government of Myanmar to allow international humanitarian aid, human rights monitors and the media unhindered access to Kachin, Shan and Rakhine states.

We note with regret that the government of Myanmar has failed to cooperate with both the Special Rapporteur and with the Fact-Finding Mission established by the Human Rights Council. We urge the government to reconsider its position and to allow investigators to have unhindered and unrestricted access to all areas in the country.

We further echo calls made by the Special Rapporteur to ensure that civil society in Myanmar is able to communicate with the United Nations and other human rights entities without fear of reprisal, intimidation or attack.

Thank you.