mmnewyork.org

(Geneva,   6  July 2023)

 

– The Human Rights Council (HRC) held again the Interactive Dialogue (ID) on the written updates of the High Commissioner for Human Rights contained in document A/HR/53/52 on 6 July 2023 during its 53rd session at the absence of country-concerned. Myanmar repeatedly reminds the duplication of mandates created by the EU. The report which focuses on humanitarian affairs mainly covered by a specific UN Office also shows repetition of work going beyond the mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 

– Even though OHCHR stated that it submitted questionnaires to Myanmar, verified facts provided by the Government have been excluded. It made the report one-sided, distorted the truth and filled with anti-government sentiments.

 

– The figure of the population in need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar formulated by a certain United Nations agency is vastly exaggerated. It blended the numbers of population who are neither displaced nor affected but the ordinary people in slum areas in need of development assistance with the aim to attract donors’ attention.

 

– The Government steadfastly executes its commitment on the delivery of assistance to the affected and needy people without any discrimination through its own programmes. Additionally, various UN agencies and international organizations (IOs), international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have been enjoying access to different parts of Myanmar as they have been functioning in States and Regions of Myanmar. In order to deliver humanitarian aid to people in need, the Government of Myanmar granted travel authorizations and from 2021 to present day, 62 visits of embassies including EU delegation in Myanmar were granted along with 46 visits made by the UN agencies and 10 visits made by the AHA Centre which was accompanied by the diplomats from ASEAN member states. Against this backdrop, alleging denial of humanitarian access by the OHCHR is not true while excluding such information provided by the Government further highlights the partiality and subjectivity of the author of the report.

 

– Myanmar received COVID-19 vaccine doses from its own purchases and contributions of the neighbouring countries. Myanmar puts on the record that the United Nations failed to provide any assistance during the severe third wave of COVID-19, particularly World Health Organization did not provide a single dose of vaccines. Such acts clearly prove that humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence are not applied by the United Nations which supposed to uphold the principles and exercise in practice.

 

– The report alleges that Myanmar targeted humanitarian actors and medical personnel echoing the narrative of those who are committing terrorist acts or opposing the Government. On the other hand, the OHCHR conceals inhumane attacks by NUG and PDF terrorist groups against healthcare personnel for continuing their professions. To date a total of 17 healthcare workers were killed including Dr. Wint Wint Myaing, Head of Kutkai People’s hospital, shot dead on her return from vaccine related functions in Monesi village on 14 December 2021. The report also neglects the significant attack by the anti-government groups against the convoy carrying representatives of AHA Centre and diplomats from Indonesia and Singapore Embassies on the morning of 7 May 2023 in Shan State .

 

– It is also learnt that the report once again fails to include even a single line of brutal crimes committed by PDF while there are widespread and sound evidences that 6,091 innocent lives were, to date, claimed by PDFs including 202 young children, 80 teachers, 74 members of the Sangha, 825 village and ward administrators.

 

– The conduct of the author of the report and its sponsors without acknowledging the efforts of the country-concerned to sustain peace, tranquility, rule of law and prosperity and failure to reveal the truths means nothing but creating more divisions and disturb stability in the country.

 

– Myanmar, therefore, rejects the intrusive recommendations based on highly politicized conclusions under the pretext of human rights. Furthermore, Myanmar strongly opposes the reference to the Security Council and International Criminal Court as the developments in Myanmar are solely internal affairs and do not post any risk to international peace and security.

 

– In this regard, Myanmar reiterates its firm objection on holding one-sided country-specific ID at the Human Rights Council and rejects the distorted and imbalanced report entitled “Situation of human rights in Myanmar since 1 February 2021 (A/HRC/53/52)”.

 

Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations

GENEVA