Agenda Item 2: Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary General

Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights of the minority Rohingya Muslim population and other minorities in Rakhine State of Myanmar

Statement by: International-Lawyers.Org and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)

10 July 2019

Mr. President,

We would like to thank the Deputy High Commissioner for this update.

The list of human rights violations allegedly committed by the Myanmar security forces towards ethnic and religious minorities, especially Rohingya Muslims, is extensive as the examples presented today demonstrate. We would like to focus on the issue of impunity.

Myanmar has the legal obligation to provide accountability for perpetrator of crimes committed against its civilians. Violations of human rights such as murder, executions without due process, attack against civilians as well as sexual violence constitute war crimes and demand swift and strong action by the State. However, the inadequate investigations and failure to prosecute perpetrators within Myanmar means the time for local action has passed. Now, prompt action by the Prosecutor of the ICC is needed to bring the perpetrators of these horrific human rights violations to account.

We would like to ask the Deputy High Commissioner, what can the international community do to help the Prosecutor and ICC obtain justice for the many victims of the Myanmar crisis?

We believe that accountability for the genocidal acts and other oppressive and discriminatory conduct by the Myanmar authorities is the only way forward. Only if Myanmar fully cooperates to end impunity, will there be a chance of re-establishing a sense of trust in the government and hope for reconciliation.

Mr. President,

International-Lawyers.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice encourage the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with the ICC process to ensure accountability for human rights violations against the Rohingya Muslims and all minority groups.

Thank you.

Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice