HRC47: Oral statement during update with Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

Item 4:Oral Update with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President,

CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur for his oral update. We recognise his commitment to the people of Myanmar and urge the members and observers of this council to take on board his concerns and recommendations and affect meaningful change. To echo the Rapporteur, the current ineffective response to the military’s stronghold on the country cannot be allowed to continue.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, as of 4 July, over 890 have been killed by the Tatmadaw since the coup and 6481 arrested.

The people of Myanmar have been subjected to intense violence at the hands of the Tatmadaw for five months now, and the country is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. We also remain especially concerned by the continued affect this is having on ethnic and religious minorities and displaced communities.

CSW reiterates the calls of the recent General Assembly resolution, urging the Tatmadaw to “end the state of emergency, to respect all human rights of the people of Myanmar and to allow the sustained democratic transition.”

The resolution powerfully indicates that the majority of UN member states support robust measures against the Tatmadaw and adds weight to calls for a global arms embargo. We urge UN Member States to ensure that they are not responsible for the flow of arms into Myanmar.

Finally, CSW welcomes the National Unity Government’s statement on 3 July which promises the full citizenship for the Rohingya. After decades of severe persecution, the recognition of the Rohingya as citizens by the NUG is a crucial step to advancing unity in Myanmar and we urge the Council to support this promise, with accountability, at every step.

Thank you.