Third Committee - Promotion and protection of human rights (Myanmar)
Third Committee - Promotion and protection of human rights
Briefing on Myanmar
29 October 2024
Statement by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
Excellencies,
International IDEA fully supports the efforts of the Special Envoy on Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar in advancing steps toward resolving the crisis in Myanmar, which was triggered by the military’s unconstitutional coup in February 2021 and has been exacerbated by the junta’s serious human rights violations, its continued illegal extensions of the state of emergency and illegitimate claim to rule by force.
International IDEA welcomes the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 78/219 and of UN Human Rights Council Resolution 55/20, which highlight the increasingly grave human rights situation and violations experienced by Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. These resolutions also reaffirm the urgent need to respect the will of Myanmar’s people as expressed in the 2020 elections, restore inclusive democratic governance and protect the rights of all people in Myanmar, especially the most vulnerable.
In 2024, the dire situation of the Rohingya in Myanmar continues to worsen, remaining one of the most pressing human rights crises of our time. For years, the Rohingya people have endured systematic persecution, displacement, and denial of their basic rights. Despite repeated international commitments, the Rohingya people continue to live in a condition of uncertainty: languishing in refugee camps, cut off from their homes, livelihoods, and basic dignities.
As we have highlighted in previous statements, four years after the coup, the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, including respect for the results of the 2020 general election, is critical to creating an environment where human rights, equality, and inclusion can be restored. Any future democratic elections in Myanmar should only be held when the conditions to hold a genuine free and fair elections exist, which also allow the full inclusion of the Rohingya and other minority groups. Furthermore, elections organized by the military junta cannot be considered legitimate and should not be supported by the international community.
In the Federal Democracy Charter, Myanmar’s legitimate national unity institutions have committed to forming a genuine democratic federal system firmly based on commitments of human rights, the rule of law and non-discrimination, including the protection of all people, and the reintegration of the Rohingya. Their efforts, and those of the Rohingya community, to forge a broad consensus among diverse pro-democracy stakeholders and translate these commitments into action deserve and require increased support of the international community.
The situation of the Rohingya demonstrates clearly the intrinsic linkages between democracy, human rights, non-discrimination, peace and development. Only by ensuring that the Rohingya, and all other ethnic groups, can participate in ongoing discussions of Myanmar’s future constitution, future elections, and the building of genuinely inclusive institutions can they hope to return and reintegrate to their home in Myanmar.
In this regard, we also commend the efforts of Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, and we echo his calls to the international community to protect Myanmar’s people, oppose the sham ‘election’ planned by the military junta, and uphold the spirit of the Charter and the basic values and principles of the organization.
International IDEA stands with the Rohingya and all minorities in Myanmar and calls for sustained international commitment to uphold human rights, restore democracy, and fulfill the promise of leaving no one behind. We will continue to work with the interim institutions and the Rohingya to promote the values of inclusion, diversity, and democracy in Myanmar.
Thank you.
