The 51st Session of the Human Rights Council
12 September 2022 – 7 October 2022
Item 4: Interactive Dialogue on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on Myanmar
22 September 2022
Statement of International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD) and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)
Delivered by Loïc Dorthe / GICJ
Thank you President,
We welcome the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, but remain concerned with its results. We recall that by taking over the country, the junta has exacerbated an already fragile human rights situation. The reduction of civic space and perpetration of crimes against humanity such as elements of genocide against the Rohingya, cannot go unanswered by the international community.
However, we regret that the recommended sanctions, designed to starve financial resources of Myanmar’s military, are ineffective, or simply insufficient. As the report details, the junta and its leaders are using resources of state-owned enterprises to fund their control over the country. The sectors, companies, and senior officials at the helm are known. Lack of action by partner states is therefore inexcusable. Currently, too many countries trading with the junta remain unaccountable, and the inaction of neighbouring states is particularly intolerable. Denouncing a military coup and acknowledging the subsequent alleged human rights violations is meaningless if no concrete action is taken to improve the human rights’ situation in Myanmar.
Therefore, EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice call on all states, especially ASEAN and those with significant economic ties to junta-controlled enterprises, to implement economic sanctions to the best of their ability, and to promote trade with civilian companies. Economically weakening the military, and strengthening the civilian parties is the responsibility of all states willing to commit to the return of democratic political institutions, and respect for human rights in Myanmar.
Thank you.
