Myanmar at HRC 56: “Myanmar is Being Suffocated by an Illegitimate Military Regime”
Published on 18 Jul 2024, 03:52 PM
UN experts demanded more attention from the international community and called for immediate and decisive actions.
The 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC 56) took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18 June to 12 July 2024, which had two Interactive Dialogues (IDs) on Myanmar: the ID with the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights on his report (A/HRC/56/23) on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities (ID HC) on 18 June; and the ID with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar on his oral progress report (ID SR) on 4 July 2024. The SR Myanmar has also published two conference room papers prior to the ID: “Courage amid Crisis: Gendered impacts of the coup and the pursuit of gender equality in Myanmar” (HRC/56/CRP.8) and “Banking on the Death Trade: How banks and governments enable the military junta of Myanmar” (HRC/56/CRP.7). A resolution tabled by OIC was adopted on 10 July (A/HRC/RES/56/1) without vote.
ID HC
Opening the ID, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, presented his report saying that Myanmar was “being suffocated by an illegitimate military regime” and that “the disintegration of human rights continues at breakneck speed.” Highlighting terrifying situation faced by the Rohingya and Rakhine communities, worsening humanitarian situation and displacement, and stories of horrific war tactics and extreme measures taken by the military such as indiscriminate attacks, sexual violence, forced conscription and other brutal atrocity crimes, HC stressed “the urgent need for leadership and influence to halt this catastrophe”, for accountability, end of violence as well as the denial of humanitarian aid. Reporting on the efforts of Myanmar civil society and Human Rights Defenders and emerging local governance structures, he stressed on the need for more attention, investment, political will and action from all parties, pointing out the need for “an urgent rethink of how we can respond collectively to this unmitigated crisis”, including the call for ASEAN to go beyond its 5PC and for “all anti-military armed groups to ensure the protection of civilians, defectors and surrendees at all times.”
ID SR
Opening the ID, the SR stressed to the Council on the need for its attention and action saying that “there are opportunities available to your governments right now that would make an enormous difference in how and when this crisis comes to an end.” By presenting his oral progress report as well as two conference room papers, the SR further reported on continued military airstrikes on civilian targets; sexual and gender-based violence against women, girls and LGBT people committed by the military and other groups; extremely dire situation in Rakhine, especially faced by both Rohingya and Rakhine communities; military procurement by the junta through transactions facilitated by foreign backs; among others. Pointing out that “actions taken by the international community to isolate the junta and degrade its capacity to attack the people of Myanmar are working”, the SR called for more and immediate action from the international community. In closing, he stressed to the Council that “the tide is turning in Myanmar, the junta is on its heels, and the opportunity to take decisive action is now.”
CCPR Centre at the HRC 56
The Centre submitted a written statement to the HRC 56 and presented oral statements during the ID HC and ID SR. The Centre also co-sponsored a side event on 4th July organised by Permanent Missions of Liechtenstein, Albania, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Slovenia, Switzerland, as well as Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), International Commission of Jurists and Human Rights Watch. At this event, focused on ways to combact impunity, both the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar and the Deputy Head of the IIMM joined as speakers. Prior to the HRC 56, the Centre also published a briefing paper on the situation of civil and political rights in Myanmar (January – April 2024) in English, French and Spanish, as well as its findings paper of the HRC 55 discussion on Myanmar. The Centre’s database on what countries are saying about Myanmar at HRC was also updated reflecting on the analysis of discussion up to HRC 55. Following HRC 56, the Centre also updated the list of silent countries on Myanmar at HRC.
