UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement on Myanmar
The UK's statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.
Thank you, Mr President.
The Mechanism鈥檚 latest report provides further shocking evidence of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Myanmar military. Civilians are being subjected to brutal extrajudicial killings, arson attacks on their homes, gender-based and sexual violence, and sharp increases in forced recruitment, including of children.
We believe that the international community must act to break the cycle of impunity and demonstrate to the Myanmar military that they will be held accountable for violations of international law.
The IIMM鈥檚 meticulous evidence-gathering and recent reports on hate speech and sexual and gender-based crimes are crucial to that effort. The UK is proud to have provided 拢800,000 to support the Mechanism鈥檚 work.
We also welcome the ICJ鈥檚 consideration of The Gambia鈥檚 case against Myanmar, and have submitted a joint intervention in that case. We urge Myanmar to comply with the Court鈥檚 provisional measures.
While we promote accountability, we must also seek to de-escalate tensions and protect innocent lives. We call on all actors, especially the Myanmar military, to prioritise the protection of civilians.
Mr Koumjian, how can the international community do more to support the IIMM鈥檚 vital work?