Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The European Union is proud to introduce and sponsor this annual resolution on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar alongside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). We thank the OIC, particularly Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, for their productive cooperation in preparing the resolution, and we appreciate all co-sponsors for their support.

Six years ago, we introduced this resolution in response to the atrocities against the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar, which forced over a million to flee the country. Since then, the situation has drastically deteriorated owing to the Myanmar military’s unjustified, illegal and unconstitutional coup against the democratically elected government on February 1, 2021 and the repression that has followed. 

This resolution strongly condemns the widespread human rights violations and abuses in the country, particularly against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, and violations of international humanitarian law. It also reiterates deep concern over the military’s excessive use of force, including aerial attacks, mass killings, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as arbitrary detentions.

This year’s text includes stronger language addressing the worrying developments in Myanmar over the past year. It expresses grave concern regarding the military’s implementation of the 2010 conscription law, which is increasing the number of refugees and displaced persons. It also raises alarm at reports of hate speech, the burning of Rohingya villages, and the use of Rohingya as human shields—which has exacerbated intercommunal tensions in Rakhine State.

It places increased emphasis on grave violations against children in armed conflict and includes new language urging women’s full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation in all decision-making processes including those related to conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. Additionally, the resolution urges the Myanmar military to lift the Internet shutdown and expresses alarm at the increase in transnational crimes, including online scam operations, which have led to serious human rights violations and abuses.

This year the resolution calls for a more active role of the United Nations. Notably, it requests the Secretary-General to urge the Security Council to remain actively seized of the situation in Myanmar and encourages greater coherence and efficiency of action on the ground by UN agencies. The resolution also takes note of the recent appointment of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and requests six-month reporting on the situation. It also maintains a strong emphasis on accountability and the ongoing procedures at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), while reaffirming support for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.

With the current situation in Myanmar, there is unfortunately little hope and prospects for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees, who continue to be generously hosted in Bangladesh. This is why this year the text requests a General Assembly high-level plenary meeting to discuss solutions, recognizing the need for greater international action.

While this year’s resolution has been strengthened significantly, the EU believes it should have gone further—particularly in addressing the continued flow of arms, weapons and technology to the Myanmar military, which increase the ability of the Myanmar military to commit serious human rights violations. We recall that the Human Rights Council resolution 55/20, put forward by the EU – which called upon all States to refrain from the export, sale or transfer of arms, munitions, and other military equipment, as well as jet fuel, surveillance goods and technologies and less-lethal weapons, to Myanmar – was adopted by consensus. We would have liked this language to be reflected in the current resolution as a meaningful step toward ending the violence and creating conducive conditions for the return of the Rohingya and other displaced persons.

However, we still believe that the current text sends the important message that the Rohingya and the people of Myanmar have not been forgotten by the international community.

The EU continues to stand with the people of Myanmar and fully supports their democratic will and aspirations and their legitimate right to live in peace and respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We urge all delegations to support this resolution and invite all Member States to co-sponsor it.

Thank you.