18 November 2022
The resolution entitled “Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” was adopted at the Third Committee of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States on 16 November 2022 without participation of lawful representatives of Myanmar.
Myanmar always opposes country-specific resolutions and mandates which are created against the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity in promotion and protection of human rights.
The lengthy resolution yearly co-sponsored by the EU and the OIC contains not only repetitive and unfounded allegations but also unrealistic tasks for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar with the political aim to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Moreover, its devised additional scheme to facilitate a dialogue between the General Assembly and the so-called “IIMM” is simply to heighten pressure on Myanmar. Myanmar has officially stated that it does not recognize the so-called “IIMM” since its establishment by the Human Rights Council’s resolution 39/2 adopted on 27 September 2018.
Indeed, the resolution adopted at the Third Committee was originated from the aftermath of August 2017 incident in northern Rakhine State. Nonetheless, it has intentionally left the root causes of that incident and reality of ground situation. In fact, the mass displacement started in late September 2017, following threats, killings and coordinated attacks committed by the so-called ARSA aka Aqua Mul Mujahidin terrorist group in northern Rakhine State. Such terrorizing acts forced and threatened the community to flee from their villages. It is also necessary to recognize that numerous cases of killings and terrorist activities have occurred in Cox’s Bazar camps. Accordingly, the displaced persons who have been facing life-threatening challenges in these camps are reluctant to take part in the repatriation process.
Myanmar stands ready to receive those who are verified as displaced persons from Rakhine State in accordance with the existing laws and bilateral arrangements between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Myanmar has been granting citizenship status to the eligible persons in accordance with the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law and through the verification process like in many other countries. Meanwhile, Myanmar reiterates its position that it does not recognize the invented term “Rohingya” which has never existed in legal and historical records of the country.
The issue of northern Rakhine Sate was a made-up crisis, backed by some countries through wealth, power and media to destabilize the country. The resolution adpoted at the Third Committee of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly is politically motivated, ignoring complexities of the issue and challenges Myanmar is facing. It is unbalanced, non-objetive and non-pragmatic. While the resolution calls for immediate cessation of violence and violations, it fails to condemn the terrorist attacks committed by the so-called NUG and PDFs which have claimed lives of over 4,000 unarmed civilians including more than 100 children. The said resolution itself amounts to hate speech and may arise more polarization and escalation of tension among different communities in the country. Adoption of such resolution with fictitious allegations will not contribute to any practical solution to Myanmar.
Myanmar expresses its gratitude to the friendly countries which dissociated themselves from the adoption of the resolution. Meanwhile, Myanmar cannot accept intrusive elements contained in the resolution which interferes in the internal affairs of the sovereign State. Due to sweeping allegations and unacceptable calls contained in the resolution as well as Myanmar’s consistent position against the country-specific resolutions, Myanmar categorically rejects the whole resolution and dissociates itself from adoption of it. Furthermore, Myanmar also unconditionally objects the participation, remarks and action made by Kyaw Moe Tun who is representing the terrorist group, the so-called NUG, at present.
