Statement by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN
General Assembly debate on Myanmar.
"Thank you Mr. President, and the UN Special Envoy for the very
sobering briefing.
Mr. President, it has now been over two years since the
military’s coup. Since then, over 3,100 people have been killed
by the military regime. Over 20,000 people have been arbitrarily
detained and over 17 million are in need of humanitarian
assistance.
The military regime is using increasingly brutal tactics to sow
fear and repress any form of opposition. Indiscriminate air
strikes are increasing. As are reports of military atrocities,
conflict related sexual violence, and mass burning of villages.
We condemn the latest horrifying reports of a massacre of at
least 28 people sheltering in a monastery in Southern Shan State
over the weekend.
I wish to make three points:
First, we fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to
find durable and inclusive dialogue-driven solutions to the
escalating crisis in Myanmar. ASEAN’s leadership is central – we
welcome the renewed efforts under Indonesia’s leadership,
including to fully implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. In
December, the Security Council agreed resolution 2669 which sent
a unified message: of solidarity with the people of Myanmar; of
support to ASEAN’s efforts; on the need to end violence
immediately; and on the need to release political prisoners,
including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Today’s
General Assembly discussion has echoed these messages. There is
strength in this collective unity.
Second, the military should face the consequences of their
actions. Since the coup, the UK has sanctioned 18 individuals and
28 entities, including those who have committed serious human
rights violations. We encourage others to do the same, and we
reiterate that no country should sell arms to Myanmar.
Finally, we cannot forget the most vulnerable. Hundreds of
thousands of Rohingya and other minorities remain confined to
their villages and Internally Displaced Peoples camps in Rakhine
State. The systemic human rights violations they have suffered
for decades must end. The worsening situation in Myanmar means
conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable
return of the Rohingya are not in place. We thank the UN, the
Government of Bangladesh, and other hosting nations for their
generosity and for the lifesaving support they are providing to
the Rohingya. We should support efforts to meaningfully include
their voices in discussions on Myanmar’s future – a peaceful,
democratic future that meets the aspirations of the people of
Myanmar."
