Myanmar’s Rebuttal on the Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (oral progress report) at the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council (21/22-9-2022)
(Geneva, 21 and 22 September 2022)
-It is regrettable to learn that the Human Rights Council (HRC) held another Interactive Dialogue (ID) with Special Rapporteur (SR) on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (oral progress report) on 21 September 2022 during its 51st Session, without the participation of the country concerned.
-This ID is the second of four agenda items exclusively focused on Myanmar which were planned to hold during the current 51st Session of the HRC. As repeatedly pointed out by Myanmar, the overwhelming mechanisms, including the above-mentioned Interactive Dialogue with SR (oral progress report) created excessive burden not only to the country-concerned but also to the Council itself, wasting time and resources.
-It is also learnt that, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights defenders issued a press release on 16 September 2022 which does not include specific facts to support their claims. But it was issued in coincidence with the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council to draw the international attention. On the other hand, he, himself, is explicitly committing violation of economic and social rights as well as the right to development of the people of Myanmar by encouraging to impose unilateral measures and sanctions on Myanmar.
-Although the Special Rapporteur spent several minutes on his oral progress report, the only thing learnt from it is the misinformation and disinformation obtained from the unreliable sources. He further failed to incorporate views and responses made by the government or other different views which do not follow his narratives.
-In fact, it is well known position of the United Nations which does not have the mandate to decide the issue of representation of Myanmar while the Special Rapporteur has been publicly lobbying the international community to recognize the NUG terrorist groups.
-There have been determined efforts by some to put pressure on Myanmar at national and international level citing the current situation. Little or no attention was paid to the real reasons behind the situation.
-The Government of Myanmar has tried its utmost to discharge its responsibilities. However, terrorists based inside and outside the country as well as the people and organization supporting them are committed to the utter devastation of Myanmar instead of trying to nurture democracy in Myanmar.
-Therefore, the Government pays attention to peace and tranquility which are important for the development of the country. To this end, the Tatmadaw has issued ceasefire statement for 21 times from December 2018, covering the period to the end of 2022. The Government is fully committed to strengthening genuine disciplined multi-party democracy and building the Union based on democracy and federalism.
-The Special Rapporteur turns a blind eye on the excessive violence acts committed by the terrorist group PDF supported and instructed by the so-called NUG and put the human rights of students, teachers, civil servants and other innocent people at risk.
-From 1 February 2021 to 23 July 2022, 6,311 weapons, 335,184 ammunition of various types, and 11,715 grenades/mines of all kinds were seized from the said terrorist groups. Within the 18 months starting from 1 February 2021, 14,907 terrorist attacks including the arson attacks, killings and bomb attacks were conducted, 3,483 civilians were killed and 3,065 people were injured and 41 went missing, due to the attacks conducted by the so-called NUG and PDFs.
-Regarding the incident in of in Letyetkone village in Depeyin Township, Sagaing Region, on 16 September 2022 in Latyatkone village, it is found out that the combined group of so-called PDF terrorists and KIA armed group attacked against the members of security forces by taking position behind residences and a monastery and by using the villagers as human shields. Due to such indiscriminate attacks committed by the terrorist PDF and KIA, there were some casualties among the villagers and those injured persons were then referred to Ye-U hospital. The press conference organized by the Information Team of the State Administration Council on 20 September 2022 updated the details of the incident and the interviews of two injured villagers were also released.
-The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on 19 September 2022 in connection with the incident in border area with Bangladesh. The AA and terrorist group ARSA attacked the Taungpyo (Left) Border Guard Police Outpost at BP-31 with mortars on 16 September 2022 where three mortars landed inside Bangladesh territory. Similarly the terrorist groups used the same weapons and attacked the Taungpyo (Right) Border Guard Police Outpost at BP-34 on 16 and 17 September 2022 where nine mortar shells landed into the Bangladesh soil. The AA and terrorists group ARSA have been deliberately carrying out such attacks to cause negative consequences on the existing cordial bilateral relations between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
-It is vivid to see that the oral update of the Special Rapporteur does not follow the principles of impartiality, objectivity and professionalism. It can be seen that the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms have become increasingly politicized and led confrontation. Therefore, the Special Rapporteur should abide by the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders and core principles of the Human Rights Council.
-Myanmar firmly opposes to the politicization of human rights issues, or using human rights as a political tool to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.
-Myanmar will continue to prevent any encroachment upon its internal affairs, judicial, legislative, executive powers and the sovereignty of the State.
-As mentioned above, the biased oral report of the Special Rapporteur Mr. Thomas Andrews misleads the members of the Council to the opposite situation of the country which is far from the realities.
Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations,
GENEVA.
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Myanmar’s Rebuttal on the Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (oral progress report) at the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council (21/22-9-2022)