UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Myanmar

Mizzima

The following UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Myanmar was delivered on 7 September at the UN in Geneva by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders. It was delivered during the UN Human Rights Council 63.

Thank you, Mr Vice President.

These reports document a worsening crisis affecting the human rights of communities across Myanmar. Airstrikes remain the leading cause of civilian deaths, striking schools, hospitals and places of worship. The Myanmar military’s use of forced conscription, arson and arbitrary detention have driven displacement beyond 3.6 million. The Mechanism’s evidence of sexualised torture in military detention facilities, including of children, is deeply disturbing.

We are gravely concerned by violations against ethnic and religious minorities nationwide: forced labour, forced recruitment and the loss of land and homes.

The UK remains committed to accountability for all Myanmar’s people. We have contributed £900,000 to the Mechanism, and have supported international efforts to collect and preserve evidence of the most serious crimes committed in Myanmar. We intervened jointly at the International Court of Justice and await the Court’s judgment.

High Commissioner, Mr Vice President, Perpetrators of the violations documented must be held to account.

Thank you