ORAL STATEMENT
Humanists International
56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (18 June – 12 July)
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
Speaker: Leon Langdon
Mr. President,
I make this statement on behalf of Humanists International and “Burmese Atheists.” Burmese Atheists is a grassroots humanist organization, and I make this statement in their words, as they are in a fragile security situation.
We denounce the recent heinous and cruel acts carried out by the military regime in Myanmar, which include the arrest, mistreatment, and murder of defenseless, unarmed civilians around the country.[1] The military and its allies from the Arakan Liberation Party are reported to have brutally arrested, tortured, and executed villagers, including women, children, and the elderly, according to the Arakan Army’s most recent statements.[2] We extend our support beyond the Burmese and Rohingya communities. We also want to show our support for all the defenseless unarmed citizens in Burma, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. We condemn the fact that the military junta is allegedly closely collaborating with religious fundamentalist organizations like the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organizations.[3]
Likewise, reports of alleged war crimes by the Arakan Army against the Rohingya people in Buthidaung and surrounding areas are deeply concerning. Reports have also stated that the Arakan Army have shot bullets to scare residents out of their homes, after which they stole and destroyed the buildings.[4] We know of thousands of Rohingya who were forced to leave for their lives, including women, children, and the elderly.[5] The xenophobic and ultranationalist statements made by the Arakan Army during recent interviews,[6] where it was stated that Bengalis are descended from post-colonial immigrants is alarming, and this dehumanizing language is often a precursor to violence. We call for an official investigation into the alleged war crimes by the Arakan Army, as documented by international human rights organizations.[7]
We thank the Special Rapporteur for his oral update and look forward to continuing to work closely with the mandate.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckmm6jep6l7o;
[2] https://www.arakanarmy.net/post/statement-9
[3] https://aseanmp.org/2024/06/28/joint-open-letter-to-the-un-security-council-on-the-escalating-crisis-in-rakhine-state/
[4] https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/un-details-disturbing-new-atrocities-against-myanmars-rohingya/; https://www.voanews.com/a/7626758.html; https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/23/asia/myanmar-rohingya-arson-buthidaung-intl-hnk/index.html;
[5] https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/05/1150201; https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/274411989/escaping-inferno-rohingya-flee-as-violence-escalates-in-rakhine
[6] https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/interview/2024/05/29/arakan-army-responds-rohingya-abuse-accusations-myanmar
[7] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-17/fresh-attacks-violence-against-rohingya-in-rakhine-myanmar/103988740
'War crimes in Myanmar', Humanists International