UK statement for the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar

F.P. Report

LONDON: The UK’s Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered the UK statement on the human rights situation in Myanmar.

We are deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Myanmar. Since the coup, over 1500 people have been killed by the military, with thousands more killed in wider fighting, nearly 13,000 people have been arrested, and over 500,000 people displaced by military operations.

The military are committing atrocities, with credible reports of torture, sexual violence, and mass killings. We are also concerned at reports of abuses by non-state armed groups. All violations and abuses must cease immediately.

Accountability is the only way to end the military’s culture of impunity, and we remain strongly supportive of the Independent Investigative Mechanism.

We support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on arms flows, whose February 2022 report makes for concerning reading. The transfer of arms to Myanmar exacerbates conflict and instability.

In line with this Council’s resolution, we urge the international community to collectively work to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar.

Special Rapporteur,

In your view what more can the international community to do to pressure those who sell arms to the military?