Joint Nordic Statement on the human rights situation in Myanmar

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Madame Special Envoy,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries - Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Denmark.

Let me first thank you for this very useful briefing and the important work you are doing.

The Nordic countries are firm supporters of the UN Special Envoy’s mandate and your efforts to find durable, peaceful and inclusive dialogue-driven solutions to the crisis in Myanmar.

We welcome the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2669, and view it as an important step towards achieving the strengthened international unity that is necessary for a lasting, peaceful solution to the conflict.

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We are witnessing a multidimensional crisis with unspeakable human rights violations that continues to deteriorate and has serious regional implications.

The Nordic countries continue to condemn the military coup in the strongest possible terms and encourage all parties to engage in inclusive and constructive political dialogue.

We are also deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, and the large areas of Myanmar which remain inaccessible to humanitarian actors. We continue to call on the military to ensure full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need.

We call on the Myanmar military to fully respect and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people of Myanmar, including the Rohingya Muslims and persons belonging to other ethnic and religious minorities. The recently prolonged state of emergency must end, inclusive and democratic civilian rule must be installed, and all those arbitrarily detained must be released. We are deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention of young children and adolescents.  

We are also deeply concerned of recent reports of the systemic use of sexual and gender-based violence against civilians by members of the security forces. Impunity for such horrific crimes must be stopped.

Security forces have also targeted women leaders, and women’s civil society organizations to punish them for their activism.

Their protection needs must be ensured, and any political process must include their full, equal, and meaningful participation.

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The Nordic countries call on the military to immediately end all forms of violence and abuses against the people of Myanmar, including children. We condemn the widespread use of indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery attacks, village raids, burnings and targeted attacks that have led to the loss of countless civilian lives, including the recent attack on Tatai Village, Sagaing Township, were at least 17 people were killed.

The perpetrators of such heinous acts must be held accountable.

The Nordic countries continue to support ASEAN in their efforts to find regional solutions to the crisis in Myanmar. We stress the importance of effectively implementing ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus without further delay. We also support the UN’s work in Myanmar and encourage the UN and ASEAN to continue and intensify coordination.

The Nordic countries stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and join their aspirations for a democratic, stable and peaceful Myanmar.

Madame Special Envoy,

How can we, as international society, best support the people of Myanmar in this difficult time? And where do you see that your role and efforts can add most value going forward?

Thank you.