Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on Myanmar, as delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.
Thank you, Mr President.
Thank you, High Commissioner, for your update.
The people of Myanmar continue to suffer at the hands of the military regime. Since the coup, the human rights situation has sharply deteriorated. The military continues to target civilians with horrific tactics, including air strikes, torture and sexual and gender-based violence. Over 17.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including over 1.8 million displaced, 1.5 million of these since the coup. Credible reports indicate that thousands of civilians, including children, have been jailed, tortured and killed. And over 10,000 political prisoners remain in detention.
Cyclone Mocha has caused further devastation in Myanmar, compounding the pre-existing humanitarian crisis. We are extremely concerned by reports of the military blocking humanitarian access to those in need. Humanitarian aid must not be weaponised, and full humanitarian access must be granted immediately.
The UK will continue to apply pressure through international fora, targeted sanctions and other means to respond to the military’s actions. To put an end to a culture of impunity, we have also provided £500,000 to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and established the Myanmar Witness programme, which reports on serious human rights violations.
High Commissioner, what more can the international community do to improve our response to the risk of further mass atrocities?
