Situation of human rights in Myanmar

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• The resolution strongly condemns the February 2021 military coup in Myanmar and serious violations by the Myanmar military, including arbitrary arrests, disproportionate use of force, attacks on civilians, and violations against the Rohingya. The resolution also extends the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and endorses the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism and its predecessor, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission.
• In the past, Myanmar strongly objected to this resolution, calling it “politicized” and “one-sided,” and “categorically rejected” the FFM and the extension of its mandate.
• Myanmar’s ally on the Council, China, disassociated itself from the consensus.
• Moreover, the resolution was adopted under Item 4, the primary framework for addressing country-specific human rights situations, signaling criticism.

Main Sponsors

European Union

Vote

Consensus

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Condemns in the strongest terms all violations and abuses of human rights committed by all parties against civilians in Myanmar, including Rohingya and other minorities, before and after the military coup and the declaration of the state of emergency on 1 February 2021."
• "Also condemns in the strongest terms: (a) The military coup carried out in Myanmar and the deposition of the elected civilian Government by the Myanmar military on 1 February 2021, which constitutes an unacceptable attempt to forcibly overturn the results of the general elections of 8 November 2020, a halt in the democratic transition of Myanmar and a serious threat to the respect for and protection of human rights, the rule of law and good governance and democratic principles."
• "Also condemns in the strongest terms: (d) The arbitrary detention, arrest and politically motivated conviction and sentencing of President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, other government officials and politicians, human rights defenders, trade union leaders and members, journalists, civil society members, local and foreign advisers, religious leaders and many others."
• "Also condemns in the strongest terms: (e) The arbitrary detention, arrest and politically motivated convictions, sentencing and executions, including of pro-democracy activists, as well as violent acts, including extrajudicial killings, systematic sexual and gender-based violence and torture, committed against civilians…"
• "Also condemns in the strongest terms: (f) All executions of political prisoners."
• "Also condemns in the strongest terms: (g) The increasing deliberate, widespread, indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against civilians, including by air strikes, the indiscriminate and continuous use of lethal force and the misuse of less-lethal weapons by the Myanmar military and the various attacks and killings that have ended civilian lives all across Myanmar, as well as attacks directed at civilians and civilian infrastructure, and indiscriminate attack…"
• "Also condemns in the strongest terms: (i) The indiscriminate attacks against children by the Myanmar military."
• "Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have been arbitrarily detained, charged, arrested, convicted or sentenced on specious grounds, in particular since 1 February 2021…"
• "Urges Myanmar, in accordance with the order of the International Court of Justice of 23 January 2020 in relation to Rohingya in its territory, to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide…"
• "Stresses the need: (c) To restore the full citizenship status and related civil and political rights of Rohingya and other ethnic and religious minorities, including voting rights and their free and fair participation in elections and other democratic processes, to combat the incitement of hatred and hate speech against Rohingya and persons belonging to other minorities…"
• "Decides to extend the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for a further period of one year…"