Human Rights Council, Twenty-ninth special session: Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 12 February 2021

Description: 

"S-29/1. Human rights implications of the crisis in Myanmar The Human Rights Council, Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and recalling the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant instruments, Expressing deep concern at the declaration of the state of emergency imposed in Myanmar by the military on 1 February 2021, Deploring the arbitrary detention of democratically elected members of the Government, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and other persons arbitrarily detained, Expressing concern at the restrictions on civil society, journalists and media workers, Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights and that the Myanmar military and other security forces and authorities should respect the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using any unnecessary or excessive force against the public, Emphasizing also the need for continued support for the democratic transition in Myanmar, and stressing the need to uphold democratic institutions and processes, Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar, Reiterating its strong support for regional organizations, in particular the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for their initiatives and efforts to respond to the recent developments in Myanmar, and welcoming the statement made by the Association’s Chairman on 1 February recalling the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the Association, including adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, and respect for and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Taking note of the press statement issued by the Security Council on 4 February 2021 on the situation in Myanmar, 1. Deplores the removal of the Government elected by the people of Myanmar in the general election held on 8 November 2020, and the suspension of mandates of members of all parliaments, and calls for the restoration of the elected Government; 2. Calls urgently for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and others, and the lifting of the state of emergency; 3. Stresses the need to refrain from violence and to fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law; 4. Strongly calls upon the Myanmar military and other security forces and authorities to take steps immediately to protect the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, religion or belief, association and peaceful assembly in accordance with international human rights law, and to ensure that members of civil society organizations and the media are able to operate freely and without fear of violence, harassment or intimidation; 5. Calls for the immediate lifting of restrictions on the Internet, telecommunications and social media, in accordance with international human rights law; 6. Also calls for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need, including through the re‑establishment of United Nations relief flights; 7. Strongly encourages the pursuance of dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will of the people of Myanmar, and recalls the role of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar in this regard; 8. Stresses the need to address the root causes of the crisis in Rakhine State and to create the conditions necessary for the safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified return of displaced persons, including of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities; 9. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to assess the current situation of human rights in Myanmar, and to provide updates thereon in their reports to the Human Rights Council, calls upon the Myanmar authorities to engage and cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms, and requests the Secretary-General to provide the High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur with increased assistance and the resources and expertise necessary to enable them to discharge their mandates fully; 10. Decides to remain seized of this matter..."

Source/publisher: 

United Nations (A/HRC/RES/S-29/1)

Date of Publication: 

2021-02-12

Date of entry: 

2021-04-05

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Countries: 

Myanmar, Global

Language: 

English

Local URL: 

Format: 

pdf

Size: 

143.94 KB

Resource Type: 

text

Text quality: 

    • Good