UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement for the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on Myanmar

Ambassador Simon Manley, UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered the UK’s statement at the Human Rights Council on the situation in Myanmar. He strongly condemned the military regime’s human rights violations, including against Rohingya and other ethnic and religious minorities.

Thank you, Mr President.

High Commissioner: thank you for your alarming report.

It’s clear that last year’s coup continues to bring acute suffering to the people of Myanmar. The country is plunging ever deeper into political, economic and humanitarian crises.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the targeting of civilians. Civilians, including humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure, must be protected from violence by all parties.

Lifesaving humanitarian assistance must continue, and there must be unobstructed humanitarian access to reach Myanmar’s most vulnerable people.

We strongly condemn the military regime’s human rights violations, including against Rohingya and other ethnic and religious minorities. Efforts must accelerate to eliminate statelessness and systematic discrimination against minorities. There can be no solution to the Rohingya crisis until they are recognised as citizens of Myanmar. One crucial step is to reform the 1982 Citizenship Law.

The impact of the coup on freedoms of expression, assembly and association has been alarming. Human rights defenders, journalists, and other media workers have been detained, targeted and killed. This must stop.

High Commissioner,

What can the international community do to ensure that people are able to express their political opinions without fear or threat of violence?

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