PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on Myanmar [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 September 2024.

The UK’s statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.

Thank you, Mr President.

The Mechanism’s 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’s 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 £800,000 to support the Mechanism’s work.

We also welcome the ICJ’s consideration of The Gambia’s case against Myanmar, and have submitted a joint intervention in that case. We urge Myanmar to comply with the Court’s 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’s vital work?