Human Rights Council 40: Burma
The Fact Finding Mission report found that grave human rights violations had been committed across the country.
The Human Rights Council takes place in Geneva.
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for her work and acknowledges the difficult circumstances in which she operates. We are deeply disappointed that the authorities in Burma continue to fail to cooperate with her mandate.
The UK welcomes the ceasefire announced by the Tatmadaw in December 2018, but remains deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State. We call on all sides to show restraint and avoid civilian casualties.
In northern Rakhine, the authorities should allow full and immediate access for humanitarian and UN agencies as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2018. The authorities should also allow better humanitarian and development access in other conflict-affected areas such as Kachin and Shan.
The UK believes that there is an urgent need for justice for the victims of human rights violations and in particular the Rohingya community and for there to be accountability for the perpetrators. A domestic process, if credible, is preferable. We call on the Independent Commission of Enquiry to demonstrate its independence. In parallel, we look forward to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar becoming operational as soon as possible.
The Fact Finding Mission report found that grave human rights violations had been committed across the country. There has been no accountability. This, coupled with the recent escalation in fighting, highlights why the situation in Burma warrants the continued attention of the international community, both at the Human Rights Council and at the Security Council.
Ms Lee, What steps could the authorities in Burma and the international community take to improve humanitarian access?