Human Rights Council 42: Interactive Dialogue on Myanmar

The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for her update. We regret that her ability to discharge her duties continues to be challenged. We call on the Government of Myanmar to cooperate fully with her mandate and grant her full access.

We remain deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states. We call on all parties to the conflicts to de-escalate hostilities, engage in meaningful dialogue, and protect civilians.

We welcome Bangladesh’s commitment to ensure that repatriations are voluntary and are conducted in coordination with UN agencies. We agree with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that conditions in Myanmar are not conducive to ‘safe, voluntary and dignified’ returns. We call on Myanmar to grant UN agencies full access to Rakhine.

Accountability for human rights violations in Myanmar is a key step towards reconciliation which is essential for long term stability. A domestic process remains the best hope for accountability in the near future but if that process is not credible nor independent then international processes remain on the table. We regret that the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) is yet to deliver its report. We strongly welcome the operationalisation of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) and we encourage the ICOE to engage with it. Ms Lee, in your view, what are the main barriers to the ICOE releasing its report?

How can we ensure that the IIMM has the flexibility to deliver effectively on its mandate?