Madam President,

The European Union would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his oral progress report.

The EU attaches critical importance to the mandate and we call on the Government of Myanmar to resume its cooperation with the Special Rapporteur mandate and to grant immediate and unrestricted access.

We are gravely concerned about the increasing civilian casualties, in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, occurring in Rakhine and Chin States, including reports of sexual and gender-based violence. Moreover, we are receiving worrying reports from across Myanmar about arbitrary arrests, torture, detentions of journalists and human rights defenders and intensified clampdown on freedom of expression, online and offline. These human rights violations and abuses must be halted immediately.

The EU urges all armed forces in Myanmar to urgently implement an unconditional ceasefire and commit to an all-inclusive peace process. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, we also call on the Government of Myanmar to immediately grant full and safe humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas and people in need and to lift any internet and media restrictions and shutdowns.

Following the International Court of Justice’s order in the case lodged by The Gambia against Myanmar on the application of the Genocide Convention, it is important to recall that the implementation of the provisional measures is compulsory under international law. The EU also takes note of the International Criminal Court authorization of the Prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes within the Court's jurisdiction. The EU commends the role of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) in ensuring justice and accountability and calls upon all States, particularly the Government of Myanmar, and entities, including private corporations, to offer their full cooperation.

General elections have been announced for 8 November 2020. This is an opportunity for the Government of Myanmar to prove its commitment to democratic transition and the fulfilment of human rights for all. As the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, noted last week, the elections are an important opportunity for all parties to demonstrate their commitment to democratic norms. However, the vast majority of Rohingya will be prevented from participating in the elections, since they have effectively been stripped of their previously recognized rights to vote and stand for office. The High Commissioner also noted that instances of hate speech, including Islamophobic messages, are rampant.[1]

The EU calls on the Government of Myanmar to address hate speech in line with The Rabat Plan of Action as well as access to information, freedom of expression and disenfranchisement of ethnic minority communities in the run-up to the elections, and calls upon Myanmar to ensure the right to vote, for all persons.

Mr. Andrews,

Less than two months before the elections, how would you assess the current access to the right to vote and to stand for public office in Myanmar, including for those living in conflict areas? Which concrete measures should be taken by the Government of Myanmar to ensure that the elections are credible, inclusive and transparent?

Thank you.

[1] Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 14 September 2020