Human Rights Council Hears that States Must Prioritise the Participation of Youth in Climate and Environmental Processes, and that the People of Myanmar Are Enduring Flagrant Human Rights Violations

MORNING 26 September 2023

The Human Rights Council this morning held the biennial panel discussion on youth and human rights, under the theme of young people’s engagement with climate change and global environmental decision-making processes, followed by an interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the overall situation of human rights in Myanmar.

Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said each day, the people of Myanmar were enduring horrifying attacks, flagrant human rights violations and the crumbling of their livelihoods and hopes. Since the last report in July the overall human rights situation in Myanmar had deteriorated even further. The report before the Council today unveiled how the military had further expanded its assault against the civilian population. Its findings described a range of incidents, many of a particular brutality, emblematic of a systematic negation of human rights, human life and human dignity. This was a system of ruthless repression designed to coerce and subjugate its people and to erode a society so that the narrow interests of a kleptocratic elite were preserved.

Mr. Türk said senseless military attacks were exacerbating the human rights crisis with interconnected humanitarian, political, and economic impacts, imposing an unbearable toll on the people in Myanmar. People in Rakhine state, including members of the Rohingya community, continued to be deprived of food, medicines, and the necessary materials to rebuild their homes and their lives. Credible sources had verified as of yesterday a minimum of 4,108 deaths at the hands of the military and its affiliates. Three specific military tactics had been systematically directed against the civilian population: airstrikes, mass killings, and burning of villages. Given the continuing gravity of the situation and impunity on the ground, the High Commissioner reiterated the call for the Security Council to refer this situation to the International Criminal Court.

In the discussion, a number of speakers expressed concern at the reported continuous escalation of brutal attacks by the Myanmar military against the civilian population, including attacks against ethnic and religious minorities. Many speakers also noted that the human rights situation of the Rohingya community remained of utmost concern. The Myanmar armed forces were called upon to ensure the safe and dignified return of Rohingya to their homeland. Speakers stressed the need for accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, and emphasised their commitment to taking an active part in funding the humanitarian effort in Myanmar. Some speakers regretted that Myanmar as the concerned country was not in a position to take part in the dialogue. Not listening to the concerned country made it impossible to have genuine dialogue and cooperation.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council held the biennial panel discussion on youth and human rights, under the theme of young people’s engagement with climate change and global environmental decision-making processes.

High Commissioner Volker Türk, in an opening statement to the panel discussion, said while the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution were already being dramatically felt today, it was young people, and future generations, who would bear the brunt. It was vital to learn from young people about their experiences of participating in climate and environmental decision-making processes, and to put their views and recommendations into action. Today, the world was home to the largest generation of young people in history, 1.8 billion. Yet young environmental human rights defenders faced physical and online threats, shrinking civic space, and criminalisation of their legitimate activities.

This year, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr. Türk urged every State to respond to the voices of young people and prioritise their participation in climate and environmental processes, as knowledge-holders, change-makers and partners in designing solutions.

Adriana Mira, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, also in an opening statement to the panel discussion, said since June 2019, El Salvador had undergone a national transformation process, focused on the well-being of each and on more and better opportunities for development, taking into account the effects of climate change, and the challenges thrown up by this. Every day, El Salvador was seeing the global challenge posed by climate change, which did not recognise geographical barriers. El Salvador, being aware of this undeniable reality, was deeply involved in implementing strategies and policies to address climate change, with technological monitoring and follow-up systems, ensuring constant assessment of progress.

Evelyn Adzovi Addor, Climate Negotiator for Ghana, Communications Officer for EcoCare Ghana and Member of Climate Youth Negotiators Programme, panellist, said ensuring the sustainable and socio-cultural development of societies required that the rights of young people be protected and made central to every decision-making process. Africa had the youngest population, which also was the most susceptible to the effects of climate change. Despite the adverse impacts of climate change on the youth, very little space was created for them to take part in decision-making processes on environmental governance. Ms. Addor requested sustained dialogue between the Office of the High Commissioner and young people on specific areas of concern on climate change to find sustainable solutions.

Vishal Prasad, Campaign Director for the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, panellist, said in 2019, 27 University of the South Pacific students got together to consider the question on how international law could be used as a vehicle to address the climate. Fast forward, after four years of campaign, and with the support of 132 co-sponsoring countries, and with a consensus adoption at the United Nations General Assembly, the resolution to request an advisory opinion passed through in March this year. For a youth-led campaign, this was a huge achievement. The world was now at a crossroads. Either it could change course to give young people truly an opportunity in shaping the world, or continue the path of minimal, meaningless, and disconnected youth involvement and empowerment.

Xiomara Acevedo Navarro, Representative of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, panellist, said the potential of young people to shape global decision making in relation to climate action was untapped. Although progress had been made in recognising the importance of youth engagement, more needed to be done, including the provision of funding, visas, access to the internet and language obstacles. The Network recommended that the United Nations and States prioritise supporting the full, effective, equitable and inclusive participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities; bridge the finance gap for youth-led initiatives; guarantee the protection of environmental defenders; and encourage meaningful youth participation between young people and decision makers.

Mr. Zuhair Ahmed Kowshik, Global Focal Point for the Children and Youth Major Group to the United Nations Environment Programme, panellist, said a lack of uniformity between civil society engagement mechanisms of different multilateral environmental governance processes led to a fragmented engagement landscape. To address this challenge, a unified civil society engagement framework must be adopted across all multilateral environmental governance processes. The international community must invest in comprehensive and accessible environmental and human rights education that equipped young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools they needed to engage meaningfully in multilateral environmental governance processes. Together, the international community could create a world where young people's voices were heard, their rights protected, and their actions led toward a brighter, more sustainable future.

Many speakers welcomed the timely discussion which recognised the importance of meaningful and effective participation and leadership of all young persons in addressing one of the major global threats to human rights: the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. As the climate crisis persisted, the vulnerability of children and youth to compounding effects of climate change was exceptionally high. Young people were powerful agents of change and the main stakeholders of future-oriented development. They were an essential partner in climate action. Speakers emphasised the importance of recognising the role of young people, whose expertise was underutilised. Severe restrictions persisted on the full and effective participation of young people, such as discrimination, violence and negligence that prevented the full realisation of their human rights, especially those in situations of vulnerability.

Speaking in the panel discussion were Bahamas, Maldives on behalf of a group of small island developing States, El Salvador on behalf of a group of countries, Oman on behalf of Gulf Cooperation Council, Libya on behalf of the Arab Group, Timor-Leste on behalf of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, European Union, Bahamas on behalf of the Caribbean Community Caricom, United Nations Development Programme, Lithuania, Portugal, Germany, Qatar, Finland, Bolivia, Samoa, Iraq, Bahrain, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Croatia, Ireland, Malawi and Belgium.

Also speaking were Conseil National des droits de l’homme du Maroc, World Jewish Congress, Stichting CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, World Vision International, Save the Children International, and Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco.

Speaking in the discussion on Myanmar were European Union, Australia on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Italy, Czech Republic, Libya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, United States, Türkiye, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Bangladesh, Maldives, United Kingdom, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Venezuela, Spain, Gambia and India.

Also speaking were Edmund Rice International Limited, Human Rights Now, Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit - COC Nederland, Jubilee Campaign, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Article 19 - International Centre Against Censorship, International Bar Association, and Meezaan Centre for Human Rights.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-fourth regular session can be found here.

The Council will reconvene at 3 p.m. to hold a general debate on agenda item four on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention.

Biennial Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights on the Theme of Young People’s Engagement with Climate Change and Global Environmental Decision-Making Processes

Opening Statements

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said it was fitting that the focus today was on youth engagement in climate change and global environmental decision-making processes. Last month, on a visit to southern Iraq, he had experienced the intensity of 50 degrees Celsius heat in a once fertile neighbourhood. While the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution were already being dramatically felt today, it was young people, and future generations, who would bear the brunt. It was also young people who had stepped forward, with commitment and creativity, to demand action from governments and business in the face of this unprecedented crisis. It was vital to learn from young people about their experiences of participating in climate and environmental decision-making processes, and to put their views and recommendations into action.

Decades of youth activism had provided the momentum for many advances made so far in protecting the planet, including the World’s Youth 4 Climate Justice Campaign. Recently, Mr. Türk was struck by the wave of climate-related court cases led by children and young people with their roots in human rights principles. Today, the world was home to the largest generation of young people in history, 1.8 billion. Yet they faced multiple barriers when seeking to engage in global climate change and environmental decision-making processes. Barriers included financial constraints, a lack of digital connectivity, limited education and safety.

Young environmental human rights defenders faced physical and online threats, shrinking civic space, and criminalisation of their legitimate activities. These barriers were multiplied for young people facing intersecting forms of discrimination, including youth with disabilities, indigenous youth and girls. The Office had issued guidelines on the effective implementation of the right to participation, shared widely across youth networks and a practical resource for States. Youth engagement was placed at the heart of the Human Rights at 75 Initiative. The Youth Advisory Group provided invaluable insights for this initiative and was developing a Youth Declaration, drawing on the views and recommendations that emerged from the global youth consultation.

This year, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr. Türk urged every State to respond to the voices of young people and prioritise their participation in climate and environmental processes. Young people needed to be actively engaged as knowledge-holders, change-makers and partners in designing solutions.

ADRIANA MIRA, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, said since June 2019, El Salvador had undergone a national transformation process, focused on the well-being of each and on more and better opportunities for development, taking into account the effects of climate change, and the challenges thrown up by this. According to United Nations data, there were now more young people in the world than ever before. The President had set as a priority of his administration childhood and youth. In El Salvador, they had aspirations well beyond material well-being: they were concerned about the standard of life, and looking after the environment for future generations. Climate change was a concern for the world as a whole: all should share commitments and differentiated responsibilities. Children needed to be completely involved in education and the social awareness that was put in place at an early age.

Climate change was one of the most vital challenges facing the world today, and future generations must be prepared to deal with it. El Salvador was working to this end, promoting resilience and transition to a de-carbonised economy. Every day, El Salvador was seeing the global challenge posed by climate change, which did not recognise geographical barriers. El Salvador, being aware of this undeniable reality, was deeply involved in implementing strategies and policies to address climate change, with technological monitoring and follow-up systems, ensuring constant assessment of progress. These efforts were directly linked up with youth. The Government had given young people the opportunity to serve in high-level posts, and involved them in decision-making.

The Government was implementing educational and environmental training programmes across the country, had a national zero-waste programme, and was working to raise awareness and educate students in higher education institutions. Internationally, El Salvador was able to take part in the Youth Summit on the Climate: the first time ever the United Nations had convened a summit that was entirely devoted to young people and their work on climate action. A path could be forged together allowing to address the situation. El Salvador was committed to implementing all efforts to combat climate change, creating a more stable future for future generations, with a more positive legacy.

Statements by the Panellists

EVELYN ADZOVI ADDOR, Climate Negotiator for Ghana, Communications Officer for EcoCare Ghana and Member of Climate Youth Negotiators Programme, said ensuring the sustainable and socio-cultural development of societies required that the rights of young people be protected and made central to every decision-making process. According to the United Nations, there were 1.2 billion people between the ages of 15 to 24 years, expected to grow to about 1.3 billion globally by 2030. In Africa alone, young people between 15 and 24 years old were expected to grow to 830 million by 2050, a clear indication that young people were important stakeholders in shaping the world. Scientific evidence confirmed that the ever-growing unsustainable human demand for resources had resulted in a global climate crisis that threatened the future of all humans, especially young people, impacting fundamental human rights.

Africa had the youngest population, which also was the most susceptible to the effects of climate change. The youth faced increased risks to their health, including respiratory problems, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and death. Despite the adverse impacts of climate change on the youth, very little space was created for them to take part in decision-making processes on environmental governance. Despite the progress made, several barriers still prevented meaningful youth participation, including climate education and access to finance. Most communities were already incurring invaluable loss and damage due to climate change; Keta, a beautiful coastal town in Ghana, was almost wiped out. Ms. Addor requested a sustained dialogue between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and young people on specific areas of concern on climate change to find sustainable solutions.

VISHAL PRASAD, Campaign Director for the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, said as a young Pacific Islander and as a witness to the climate crisis, he had seen the devastation first hand that cyclones, floods, droughts, and sea level rise had brought, but amidst this, he had also seen the power of young people who had also stood with immense resilience, fighting to protect their homelands, cultures, and their identity. In 2019, 27 University of the South Pacific students got together to consider the question on how international law could be used as a vehicle to address the climate crisis, with the idea of seeking an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the obligations of States on climate change. Fast forward, after four years of campaign, with the support of 132 co-sponsoring countries, and with a consensus adoption at the United Nations General Assembly, the resolution to request an advisory opinion passed through in March this year. For a youth-led campaign, this was a huge achievement.

Nevertheless, there was growing disillusionment among young people about existing systems not working or working against them or simply working for the few. Accountability, transparency and honesty would go a long way in returning the lost faith in current systems and structures. The Campaign was calling on countries to seize the moment to have the voices of their young people heard by the International Court of Justice during the ongoing submissions process. The world was now at a crossroads. Either it could change course to give young people truly an opportunity in shaping the world, or continue the path of minimal, meaningless, and disconnected youth involvement and empowerment. Hope remained, that the future would be brighter than the past.

XIOMARA ACEVEDO NAVARRO, Representative of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, said the Global Youth Biodiversity Network had dedicated the past 12 years to training, supporting and mobilising young people in the global effort to stop biodiversity loss. The crises of biodiversity and climate change were not isolated; they were deeply interconnected and rooted in systemic injustice and inequality. The potential of young people to shape global decision-making in relation to climate action was untapped. Despite the multiple initiatives and youth-led organizations, the potential of young people’s voices was absent in the issues they cared about. These challenges underscored the need to bridge the gap between young individuals' aspirations and meaningful inclusion in global climate and environmental decision-making processes. That inclusion required adopting intersectionality to address already existing vulnerabilities.

Although progress had been made in recognising the importance of youth engagement, more needed to be done, including the provision of funding, visas, access to the internet and language obstacles. Economic barriers also presented significant challenges for young people seeking to connect and participate in conservation efforts. The Network recommended that the United Nations and States prioritise supporting the full, effective, equitable and inclusive participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities; bridge the finance gap for youth-led initiatives; guarantee the protection of environmental defenders; and encourage meaningful youth participation between young people and decision makers. Incorporating young people into the process of shaping environmental policies was critical in combatting the decline of ecosystems.

ZUHAIR AHMED KOWSHIK, Global Focal Point for the Children and Youth Major Group to the United Nations Environment Programme, said today the Council came together to address significant obstacles preventing youth from contributing to the multilateral environmental governance processes. Firstly, a lack of uniformity between civil society engagement mechanisms of different multilateral environmental governance processes led to a fragmented engagement landscape. The patchwork of mechanisms across various environmental governance bodies often left young people feeling like outliers rather than integral players in the decision-making process. To address this challenge, a unified civil society engagement framework must be adopted across all multilateral environmental governance processes. Another barrier was the lack of capacity building support and the low environmental and human rights education standards.

The international community must invest in comprehensive and accessible environmental and human rights education that equipped young people with the knowledge, skills and tools they needed to engage meaningfully in multilateral environmental governance processes. Capacity building programmes tailored to the unique challenges faced by youth should be a central focus of efforts. The international community must commit to providing youth with the resources, education and capacity building support they needed, promoting the inclusion of youth in political, scientific and financial decision making. Together, the international community could create a world where young people's voices were heard, their rights protected, and their actions led toward a brighter, more sustainable future. The time for change was now, and the opportunity must be seized.

Discussion

A number of speakers welcomed the timely discussion which recognised the importance of meaningful and effective participation and leadership of all young persons in addressing one of the major global threats to human rights: the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Climate change required action on all parts, including from future generations.

As the climate crisis persisted, the vulnerability of children and youth to compounding effects of climate change was exceptionally high, some speakers said. The world was home to the largest generation of young persons in history and including their voice was critical for decision-making processes that impacted their futures and that of the planet, including in environmental and climate change fora. Youth had proven to be the population most aware of climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity, and the most committed to taking action in favour of climate justice and the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Young people were powerful agents of change and the main stakeholders of future-oriented development. They were an essential partner in climate action.

Some speakers emphasised the importance of recognising the role of young people, whose expertise was underutilised. Through different initiatives at the national, regional and global levels, youth had generated a movement that urged governments to take decisive action in favour of the environment. Their efforts and coordinated actions for the promotion of innovative solutions and more sustainable social models were invaluable. Speakers also recognised the multiple initiatives and platforms open both nationally and internationally for young people to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes.

A number of speakers said severe restrictions persisted on the full and effective participation of young people, such as discrimination, violence and negligence that prevented the full realisation of their human rights, especially those in situations of vulnerability. All of this needed to be addressed urgently, and respect for the rights of youth had to be realised in all areas. A lot remained to be done to ensure that no young person was left behind. The lack of environmental and climate change knowledge was a challenge. This needed to be included in school programmes, and practical training needed to be provided to build on young people’s capacities to ensure they more effectively contributed to decision making.

The international community shared a responsibility to emphasise the critical role of youth engagement and explore innovative solutions, some speakers said. It was a priority to strengthen the full and effective participation of youth in decision-making processes to address the effects of climate change. This would allow these emerging leaders to contribute to the construction of comprehensive, fair, ethical and resilient policies to environmental issues. Speakers called for more dedicated actions to ensure effective, active and meaningful youth participation in environmental forums and decision-making processes.

Some speakers provided examples of national efforts taken to ensure the meaningful and effective participation of all young people as agents of change and development partners. These included the adoption of youth action plans; the inclusion of youth delegates; the appointment of youth climate change ambassadors; convening youth climate change conferences; programmes launched to develop the knowledge of school students in regards to climate change; fostering entrepreneurial and cultural activities; and regularly consulting youth groups in decision making, among others.

Concluding Remarks

EVELYN ADZOVI ADDOR, Climate Negotiator for Ghana, Communications Officer for EcoCare Ghana and Member of Climate Youth Negotiators Programme, said she could attest to the enthusiasm and sense of urgency that young people brought to the negotiating room: it was therefore crucial to bring them to more negotiations, and allow them to collaborate at the international level to make the world realise that there was one common interest: to thrive and survive together. Young people in Africa were rising and demanding action from their governments and international corporations that were polluting the beautiful environment. Her recommendation was that the Human Rights Council identify young people who were interested in promoting human rights issues and support them to mainstream the issue of human rights at the negotiation level.

VISHAL PRASAD, Campaign Director for the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, said there was a clear need to rethink and re-envision the environment and climate crisis. Youth were vital to the process, and implementation must be the next step. Young people were creative and passionate and connected; they must be given a space at the highest levels. Young people in pursuit of climate justice must be brought to the International Court of Justice, and all should participate in the advisory opinion process, with a progressive and strong submission to recognise that human rights and climate change obligations were under threat. He implored all to put young people’s voices in their submissions. In the age of multiple crises, it was time for all hands-on deck: all young people, and all of society, all collaboratively working together.

XIOMARA ACEVEDO NAVARRO, Representative of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, said young people were crucial in mobilising solutions and bringing new approaches. Leaders needed to challenge business as usual approaches. The global goals would not be met without young people’s work and actions. States needed to capitalise on intergenerational knowledge and leadership to foster a shared understanding on current and future challenges.

ZUHAIR AHMED KOWSHIK, Global Focal Point for the Children and Youth Major Group to the United Nations Environment Programme, said it was crucial to recognise the importance of youth engagement. In the Global South countries, it was very difficult for youth to engage with policies and participate in decision making. There were a lot of global instruments on climate and momentum and biodiversity which were translated into national actions. However, when they were translated into national plans, young people were not consulted. There needed to be engagement at all levels, including national, local, and regional levels. What happened at the Human Rights Council should not just stay at the Council; it should be accelerated to all policy development processes. Young people were not just leaders of tomorrow, they were also leaders of today. Everyone needed to have faith in the power of youth.

Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the High Commissioner on the Overall Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

Report

The Council has before it the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Myanmar (A/HRC/54/59).

Presentation of Report

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said each day, the people of Myanmar were enduring horrifying attacks, flagrant human rights violations and the crumbling of their livelihoods and hopes. Since the last report in July the overall human rights situation in Myanmar had deteriorated even further. The report before the Council today unveiled how the military had further expanded its assault against the civilian population. Its findings described a range of incidents, many of a particular brutality, emblematic of a systematic negation of human rights, human life and human dignity. This was a system of ruthless repression designed to coerce and subjugate its people and to erode a society so that the narrow interests of a kleptocratic elite were preserved.

Senseless military attacks were exacerbating the human rights crisis with interconnected humanitarian, political, and economic impacts, imposing an unbearable toll on the people in Myanmar. People in Rakhine state, including members of the Rohingya community, continued to be deprived of food, medicines, and the necessary materials to rebuild their homes and their lives. Credible sources had verified as of yesterday a minimum of 4,108 deaths at the hands of the military and its affiliates. Three specific military tactics had been systematically directed against the civilian population: airstrikes, mass killings, and burning of villages. Violence by anti-military armed groups, including targeted killings and bombings of public places, also persisted.

Civilian rule of law in Myanmar had vanished, with the military deliberately eroding the foundations of governance and justice in the country. The denial of humanitarian access throughout the whole country was having dramatic consequences on the right to food. This denial of access had been acutely felt in Rakhine state, where the human rights situation of the Rohingya community continued to be of the utmost concern, particularly for women, children and young people. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Five Point Consensus had been ignored by the military, despite their having agreed to its terms.

The High Commissioner reiterated his call to all States and other actors with influence to support efforts to de-escalate this crisis and ensure that all vulnerable people in Myanmar could exercise their fundamental rights and receive all necessary assistance. He urged all actors to ensure that allegations of human rights abuses against the civilian population were promptly and transparently investigated and that perpetrators were held to account, and for the international community to redouble international accountability initiatives. Given the continuing gravity of the situation and impunity on the ground, he reiterated the call for

the Security Council to refer this situation to the International Criminal Court.

Discussion

In the discussion, some speakers thanked the High Commissioner for his sobering report, saying they also supported the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar which remained crucial for ensuring accountability. They expressed concern at the reported continuous escalation of brutal attacks by the Myanmar military against the civilian population, including attacks against ethnic and religious minorities. The Myanmar military increasingly relied on air and artillery strikes on villages and other populated areas, burning of villages and infrastructure, executions and killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, forced displacement, and persecution, some of which acts may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Some speakers said that access to medical care for the wounded was systematically blocked in Myanmar, and humanitarian operations were usurped. The civilian population feared being bombed in homes, schools, hospitals, places of worship and public gatherings. Fear of being deported and tortured was common, and hunger raged throughout the country. Speakers condemned the actions of the Myanmar military, including the instrumentalisation of relief operations and the unacceptable restrictions imposed on humanitarian actors, including after cyclone Mocha.

Many speakers also noted that the human rights situation of the Rohingya community remained of utmost concern. The ongoing violence, killings, burnings, and shelling highlighted that the resolution of the Rohingya crisis should not be considered secondary to finding a solution to the political crisis in Myanmar. Some speakers welcomed dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the commencement of repatriation through a pilot project. The Myanmar armed forces were called upon to ensure the safe and dignified return of Rohingya to their homeland.

The Government of Myanmar should implement the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Rakhine state, including a clear path to citizenship for the Rohingya, humanitarian access, and ensuring the return of displaced Rohingya from Bangladesh and other host countries. The international community was called on to continue to make adequate financial contributions for the Rohingyas.

Some speakers stressed the need for accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, and emphasised their commitment to taking an active part in funding the humanitarian effort in Myanmar. A number of speakers said that comprehensive, concrete, and meaningful international sanctions were necessary to curtail the military’s capacity for continuing its campaign of violence and repression, including a global arms embargo. They outlined their commitment to targeting the regime’s access to finance and arms, including through targeted sanctions. Restricting the flow of arms and jet fuel would help to protect the Myanmar people from the military.

Some speakers regretted that Myanmar as the concerned country was not in a position to take part in the dialogue. Only by upholding norms of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs could problems be solved. Not listening to the concerned country made it impossible to have genuine dialogue and cooperation. Discussions in the Council should focus on peace and avoid intensifying conflicts.

Speakers asked the High Commissioner about actions that the international community and the United Nations could take to meaningfully restrict the Myanmar military’s ability to harm civilians. Was there any indication that engagement had led to any increased access on the ground or any moderation in the military’s violations? How could the Office of the High Commissioner enhance its collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management in strengthening capacity to deliver assistance to those in need and ensure the respect of their rights to food, shelter and health? What more could the international community do to ensure evidence of human rights abuses was being gathered and used for future accountability?

Concluding Remarks

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the United Nations country team, after the Cyclone, had very quickly sought means to deliver humanitarian needs and protection, but it was rapidly hit with the denial of humanitarian access and the official denial of there being a need for it. The engagement had so far not changed the approach by the military, which continued its limitations on humanitarian access, its restrictions and excessive bureaucratic stifling of civil society, and a politicisation of aid which was not in accordance with humanitarian principles. There was a very serious humanitarian situation as a result. On what more could be done to support the role of civil society, it was incredibly important to ensure flexible funding for humanitarian organizations on the ground and for those working with them. The Office must support local and regional non-governmental organizations to make sure that those who were human rights defenders had all the required support.

On the regional implications, there were a number of statements on what these were, and they had been the same for some time. The most affected country was Bangladesh, with over one million refugees in Cox’s Bazaar; Bangladesh had been hosting refugees for many years. There were many other economic impacts on the region as a result of the situation: it had an impact on the overall security and stability of the region, with, for example, a rise in human trafficking, narcotics, and illicit economies. The regional dimension needed to be addressed, and the broader picture was what must be borne in mind.

On accountability, the continued attention of the Council to the situation was critical, but also by the General Assembly and the Security Council. This was one of the worst human rights crises the world faced, and the international community needed to live up to that responsibility. The violations that had been depicted by the Office in the report and many others in the past were the result of decades of impunity: there was a glaring vacuum in Myanmar of the rule of law, with no functioning independent court structure. It was clear that the situation must be referred to the Security Council as an accountability measure. There were ongoing deliberations before the International Court of Justice and the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. The strongest measure was a referral by the Security Council to the International Court of Justice.

Host countries needed active and continuous support, directly, but also through third country resettlement. It was important that any enhanced engagement be linked to the military fulfilling the Five-Point Consensus developed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to which the junta had agreed. Life-saving aid must be provided: politicisation by the military in this context was very dangerous and must be taken into account. There needed to be respect for the Security Council resolution that was adopted in December 2022 and for all the decisions of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The international community must maintain its attention to the issue, and insist upon the release of all political prisoners.

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