The Republic of the Union of Myanmar welcomes the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Tom Andrews,1 as well as the Special Rapporteur’s corresponding report to the Human Rights Council.2

Myanmar, as represented by the National Unity Government, extends its full support to Mr. Andrews and his mandate.

The Special Rapporteur has again catalogued the illegal military junta’s mounting atrocities against civilians, which include massacres, acts of terror such as beheadings, dismemberment, torture and sexual violence, and the aerial bombing of villages, schools, hospitals and encampments for displaced persons.

These findings followed swiftly on those reported by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who on 6 March told the Human Rights Council that “[t]he disregard and contempt for human life and human rights that are continuously demonstrated by the military constitute an outrage to the conscience of humanity.”

To the Special Rapporteur, the junta “does not offer any viable path to stability or an end to the human rights crisis in Myanmar because it is the very cause of this crisis”. It also “lacks even a shred of constitutional or democratic legitimacy”.

It follows that the international community must place its full support behind the Myanmar people and, as the Special Rapporteur stated, their “heroic campaign to save their country” and their “remarkable courage and tenacity” in defence of human rights.

In calling on the Human Rights Council to show the people of Myanmar “with words and, more importantly with action, that they are not forgotten, they are not alone”, the Special Rapporteur pointed to the historic Security Council resolution on Myanmar adopted last December, as well as the General Assembly’s overwhelming condemnation of the junta and its crimes.

The Human Rights Council must therefore break new ground by adopting a strong resolution on Myanmar that:

• recognises the National Unity Government as the legitimate representative of the Myanmar people in continuity to the results of the 2020 general election
• endorses a blanket ban on the export, sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment as well as surveillance goods and technologies and less-lethal weapons including ‘dual-use’ or strategic trade items to the junta
• urges greater coordination between ASEAN, UN entities and neighbouring countries to facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and the urgent scaled up provision of humanitarian assistance, safety and shelter to all people in need
• urges UN Member States to protect Myanmar nationals including the Rohingya within their borders and to respect the principle of non-refoulement
• calls for more effective coordination between the Security Council and ASEAN in addressing the junta as a threat to regional peace and security
• supports accountability including by acknowledging the National Unity Government’s submission of an article 12(3) declaration to the International Criminal Court, which accepted the Court’s jurisdiction in Myanmar
• requests fresh reporting from the UN Secretary-General on the UNCT’s progress in implementing the Rosenthal report’s recommendations.