Statements and reports by Myanmar at regular sessions of the Human Rights Council
See also the webcasts of the interactive dialogues, where available, for oral statements
Individual Documents
Description:
"NEW YORK (24 October 2023) – A growing trend of coordinated action by Member States, including sanctions targeting key financial institutions and jet fuel, is offering the hope of a more effective path forward to weaken a military junta that is driving Myanmar deeper into a human rights and humanitarian crisis, said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, in remarks to the General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York.
“The junta continues to attack the people of Myanmar with the relentless bombing of villages, hospitals, schools, and camps for internally displaced persons. But, non-Myanmar nationals are also being victimized by transnational criminal enterprises, including scam operations, that are flourishing on the border.”
“Now is the time for UN Member States to strengthen and coordinate actions that weaken the junta,” Andrews said. “A world beset by conflagrations of mass violence must not lose sight of the runaway fire of brutality and human rights violations that is burning in Myanmar, threatening the lives of millions and eroding regional stability,” he said.
In his report to the UN General Assembly, Andrews highlighted the junta’s attacks against civilians, including reports of mass killings, beheadings, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, forced labor, and the use of human shields by junta forces. Massive humanitarian needs have been exacerbated by the junta’s deliberate obstruction of the delivery of lifesaving aid, according to the report. Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have endured drastic cuts in food rations even as they face the threat of coercive repatriation back into the hands of the same military forces whose genocidal attacks forced them over the border.
“Junta leaders would like the world to believe that only they can restore peace and stability in Myanmar. The opposite is true. The junta is an agent of chaos and violence, creating a vacuum of governance in the country that is increasingly impacting Myanmar’s neighbours and the international community,” Andrews said.
While condemning the actions of Member States that supply the junta with arms and provide other forms of material or diplomatic support, Andrews praised positive actions taken by governments to deprive the junta of weapons, money and legitimacy.
“Sanctions targeting aviation fuel and key financial institutions relied on by the junta are potent measures that could help alleviate the suffering of the people of Myanmar and push the country back towards the path to democracy,” the Special Rapporteur said.
“Some of Myanmar’s neighbours have boycotted diplomatic and defense summits attended by junta officials and denounced the junta’s plans to hold fraudulent elections,” Andrews said.
“The international community must build on the momentum created by these positive developments through a working coalition of States that are committed to human rights and engaging in coordinated actions that add up to a powerful whole,” he said. “The people of Myanmar deserve no less.”
ENDS
Mr. Thomas Andrews (United States of America) is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. A former member of the US Congress from Maine, Andrews is a Robina Senior Human Rights Fellow at Yale Law School and an Associate of Harvard University’s Asia Center. He has worked with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and parliamentarians, NGOs and political parties in Cambodia, Indonesia, Algeria, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine and Yemen. He has been a consultant for the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and the Euro-Burma Network and has run advocacy NGOs including Win Without War and United to End Genocide.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Comprising the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, Special Procedures is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity..."
Source/publisher:
UN Human Rights Council (Geneva) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-10-24
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Statements and reports by Myanmar at regular sessions of the Human Rights Council, Human Rights and international relations, UN Human Rights pages on Myanmar
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Description:
"MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF THE MECHANISM
Almost daily, the Mechanism receives new reports of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Myanmar. As detailed in our recent Annual Report and in my statement to the UN Human Rights Council on 11 September 2023, the Mechanism has collected copious evidence indicating that the Myanmar military has been committing bolder and more frequent attacks on civilians. The reports and accounts received show that these attacks include the intentional burning of villages, aerial bombardments and mass executions. Our Annual Report also notes that military authorities have not announced any investigations into these incidents, despite their duty under international law to take every reasonable measure to investigate and punish war crimes committed by those under their command.
The evidence that the Mechanism collects and preserves is not intended to gather dust in storage but to be used to facilitate justice. The Mechanism has recently produced three analytical reports regarding crimes committed against the Rohingya, which it is sharing with the relevant authorities in the ongoing proceedings at the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and in Argentina. These reports focus on the military chain of command in Rakhine State; the failure of the Myanmar authorities to investigate or punish sexual and gender-based crimes; and the organized spread of hate speech by the Myanmar military during the 2017 clearance operations.
The unfortunate reality is that international justice is a slow process, and I know this only increases the suffering of victims of crimes. On 25 August, I participated in a number of events to mark six years since the horrific violence that displaced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Six years on, no one has been held accountable for these crimes. That is six years too long.
Justice requires a sustained effort, and the Mechanism is committed to seeing justice served. With thanks to the courageous individuals and organizations who have provided valuable information to us, we are collecting and analysing evidence in order to identify the individuals responsible for the most serious international crimes committed in Myanmar. The analytical reports and case files we are preparing can be used by courts or tribunals at any time in the future. The process of justice may be slow, but every piece of evidence we collect and analyse takes us closer to seeing perpetrators behind bars. We are motivated in our work by the hope that this cycle of impunity that has emboldened the Myanmar military to commit ever-more brazen crimes will be broken..."
Source/publisher:
UN Human Rights Council (Geneva) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2023-10-19
Date of entry/update:
2023-10-20
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Statements and reports by Myanmar at regular sessions of the Human Rights Council, UN human rights documents on Myanmar, Human Rights and international relations
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3.01 MB 328.78 KB
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Description:
"Human Rights Council
Forty-ninth session
28 February–1 April 2022
Agenda items 2 and 4
Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Introduction and methodology
In resolution 46/21, the Human Rights Council requested, inter alia, the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide a comprehensive report on the overall human rights situation in Myanmar at its 49th session, with a particular focus on accountability regarding alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, rule of law and security sector reform since 1 February 2021, as well as on implementation of recommendations on the human rights situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities.
The present report covers human rights concerns documented by OHCHR since 1 February 2021. It analyses the most egregious violations committed by the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw), highlighting trends and patterns over a year of martial rule, and coming to preliminary conclusions as to violations of international human rights, humanitarian and criminal law.
This report relies upon primary and secondary source material collected and subjected to credibility assessments. Without access to Myanmar, OHCHR applied consistent methodology of information-gathering, including remote interviews and meetings with over 155 victims, victims’ advocates, and witnesses of human rights violations. First-hand information was corroborated with satellite imagery, verified multimedia files, and credible open-source information. Factual determinations of cases, incidents, and patterns were made where there were reasonable grounds to believe that incidents had occurred as described. Given the serious security risks that individuals in Myanmar have been exposed to since 1 February, OHCHR has prioritized the safety of victims, witnesses, and interlocutors above other considerations..."
Source/publisher:
UN Human Rights Council via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2022-02-25
Date of entry/update:
2022-03-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights and international relations, Statements and reports by Myanmar at regular sessions of the Human Rights Council
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
155.86 KB
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Description:
"An Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar was made on 27 June 2018 during the 38th session of the Human Rights Council which was
being held at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 18 June to 6 July 2018. During the dialogue, Special Rapporteur
on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar presented her oral
update on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to the Human Rights Council..."
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Council
Date of publication:
2018-06-27
Date of entry/update:
2018-06-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
140.3 KB
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Description:
Headings of the sections of Myanmar?s Observations: Coordinated armed attacks against police border outposts...Access to the areas...Reprisals...Efforts taken by Government...National Investigation Commission...Humanitarian Aid Activities in Kachin State...Proposed Benchmark...Observations by the Government...Totals of actions taken for the
rape cases and rape with murder cases committed by the army man
to the civil girls from 2015 to 2016...Rape cases that have been taken action during 2015...Rape cases that have been taken action from January 2016 to October 2016.
Source/publisher:
Myanmar via UN (A /HRC/34/67/Add.1)
Date of publication:
2017-03-06
Date of entry/update:
2017-05-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
212.46 KB
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Description:
Human Rights Council -
Thirty-second session
Agenda item 2...
Preliminary response by Myanmar to the draft report of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights on the ?Situation of
human
rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in
Myanmar” to the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council....."The Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United
Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva presents its compliments to
the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and has the honour to
attach hereto the preliminary response from Myanmar regarding the High Commissioner?s
report on the ?Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in
Myanmar” to the 32nd
session of the Human Right Council.
In this context, the Permanent Mission has further the honour to request that the
present note verbal and the annex thereto* may kindly be circulated as a document of the 32nd
session of the Human Rights Council, under agenda item 2. "
Source/publisher:
Government of Mysanmar via Human Rights Council (A /HRC/32/G/9) - Advance Unedited Version
Date of publication:
2016-06-20
Date of entry/update:
2016-06-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Statements and reports by Myanmar at regular sessions of the Human Rights Council, Statements and reports on Myanmar by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights plus replies by Myanmar
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
98.04 KB
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Description:
"...Myanmar is fully aware of the need to improve and promote human rights. We are doing everything possible to this effect and will continue to do so. At the same time, we believe that human rights issues must be addressed with objectivity, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. There should not be double standards nor politicization of human rights issues. Myanmar firmly believes that only genuine cooperation and constructive dialogue would best serve the promotion and protection of human rights."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Mission, Geneva via United Nations
Date of publication:
2007-03-23
Date of entry/update:
2014-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
119.19 KB
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U Maung Wai
Source/publisher:
Myanmar via United Nations
Date of publication:
2014-03-17
Date of entry/update:
2014-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
137.16 KB
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Description:
I. Prisoners of conscience...II. Conditions of detention and treatment of prisoners...III. Freedom of opinion and expression...IV. Situation of ethnic border areas...V. Situation in Rakhine State.
Source/publisher:
Myanmar via United Nations (A/HRC/25/64/Add.1)
Date of publication:
2014-03-12
Date of entry/update:
2014-07-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
149.7 KB
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Description:
Written comments by Myanmar on 5 themes taken up by the Special Rapporteur: Prisoners of conscience...Conditions of detention and treatment of prisoners...Freedom of opinion and expression...Situation of ethnic border areas...Situation in Rakhine State.
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/HRC/25/64/Add.1)
Date of publication:
2014-03-12
Date of entry/update:
2014-03-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
doc
Size:
95 KB
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Description:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom?s Ojea Quintana. Addendum: Comments by the State .....Rebuttals of a number of points raised by the Special Rapporteur in his report.
Source/publisher:
Union of Myanmar via UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/22/58/Add.1)
Date of publication:
2013-03-06
Date of entry/update:
2013-04-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
146.6 KB
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Description:
"...Today, I am here in your midst to highlight the importance that the Government of Myanmar attaches to the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
As you are well aware, a constitutional government has been formed recently in Myanmar. In his inaugural speech, the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar outlined the policies and objectives of the new government with a view to building a modern and democratic nation. The priorities of the new Government are to achieve good governance, clean government, fundamental rights of the citizens, rule of law, transparency, accountability, fight against corruption, reduction of income disparity, creation of a harmonious society, economic reform and environmental conservation.
Immediately after its formation, the Government has begun launching a series of economic, social and policy reforms to improve the socio-economic life of the people..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Mission, Geneva, via UN Human Rights Council
Date of publication:
2011-09-13
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
39.49 KB
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Source/publisher:
Myanmar
Date of publication:
2007-12-11
Date of entry/update:
2008-03-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
225.65 KB
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Description:
Note verbale dated 10 March 2008 from the Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the secretariat of the Human Rights Council..."...The Government of Myanmar finds that both reports are neither balanced nor objective. It is intrusive, highly politicized and contains many unfounded allegations originated form insurgents and anti-government groups. Therefore, the Government totally rejects all the allegations contained in the reports..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar
Date of publication:
2008-03-10
Date of entry/update:
2008-03-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
46.09 KB
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Description:
Statement by His Excellency U Wunna Maung Lwin, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Union of Myanmar in response to the reports of the Special Rapporteur Professor Pinheiro.
Source/publisher:
Myanmar
Date of publication:
2008-03-13
Date of entry/update:
2008-03-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
20.44 KB
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Description:
Statement by His Excellency U Wunna Maung Lwin, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Union of Myanmar under Item: Review, Rationalization and Improvement of Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar at the Seventh Session of Human Rights Council.
Source/publisher:
Myanmar
Date of publication:
2008-03-17
Date of entry/update:
2008-03-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
40.19 KB
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Description:
Statement by
His Excellency U Nyunt Maung Shein,
Ambassador/Permanent Representative
and Leader of the Myanmar Observer Delegation
at the
Second Session of the Human Rights Council
Geneva, 27 September 2006
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Mission, Geneva
Date of publication:
2006-09-27
Date of entry/update:
2006-09-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
75.93 KB
Local URL:
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