EU Introduction - HRC58 - Resolution L.11 rev. 1 - Situation of human rights in Myanmar

UN Human Rights Council 
58th session – Item 4
Resolution L.11 rev. 1 - Introduction

Situation of human rights in Myanmar      

EU Introduction

Mr. President,

I am honoured to introduce draft resolution A/HRC/58/L11/rev. 2 on the “Situation of human rights in Myanmar” on behalf of the European Union. 

The EU is grateful to all stakeholders for their constructive cooperation. 

Mr. President, 

The High Commissioner described his recent update on Myanmar as a “litany of human suffering”. This is also the case for draft resolution L.11. 

To this litany, we must now add the consequences of the March 28 earthquakes. Our thoughts go out to all victims and survivors. The draft was orally revised to reflect this latest plight.

Mr President,

In its increasing desperation, the Myanmar military continued inflicting unbearable levels of suffering and cruelty on people in Myanmar, in particular through its use of air strikes.

Intensified conflict, transnational crime and forced conscription are pushing Myanmar further down the spiral, while horrific and systematic human rights violations persist. The Myanmar military’s stranglehold on humanitarian assistance exacerbates the consequences of the crisis.

Persons in vulnerable situations, and in particular persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, including the Rohingya, continue to bear the brunt. The voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all refugees and displaced persons remains impossible. 

L.11 underscores the importance of accountability efforts, including through the Independent Investigative mechanism for Myanmar, ICC, ICJ and universal jurisdiction. 

The draft also calls on states to prevent atrocities, in particular through the respect of their international commitments, notably by taking meaningful, effective and targeted action to end the military’s access to arms, jet fuel and foreign currency that it needs to sustain its campaign of repression against civilians. 

Mr President,

In the spirit of efficiency, we have continued to work with OIC partners to ensure that this Council continues to give its deserved attention to the situation in Myanmar in a more focused way. 

The Human Rights Council must again emphasize to the Myanmar military that their brutal and inhumane attacks against civilians and their continued attacks on medical and humanitarian relief personnel must cease. The Council must also call for an end to violence by all parties to the conflict. 

The adoption of the resolution by consensus by this Council will send a strong signal of support to the aspirations of the people of Myanmar for effective human rights protection, accountability, democracy and a civilian government reflecting the will of its people. 

We call on all members of the Council to support L.11 as orally revised (if applicable).

Thank you.