Statement

Myanmar rejects reports and dialogues that run contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations

The Interactive Dialogues with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Myanmar and with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Myanmar were organized at the Third Committee of the 76th United Nations General Assembly on 22 October 2021, based on their usual biased reports. It was preceded by the Special Envoy’s press conference on Myanmar on 21 October 2021.

The present reports duplicate the preceding reports and carry the same rhetoric with full of repetition while factual account of incidents were missing. The figures of deaths described in both reports are mostly referred to the so-called Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) which is reportedly mentioned as credible source. Meanwhile, the list prepared by AAPP itself raises many questions on credibility as it does not include verifiable information of affected persons.

The report of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations is based on sweeping allegations with no clear description on what individual incident happened on which date and time. The Special Envoy also highlights a significant setback of Myanmar that fell to the Tatmadaw’s dissent on the electoral process and outcome while omitting the electoral fraud which led to the current political situation with total neglect of the Tatmadaw’s primal calls for settling these irregularities by NLD government and previous Union Election Commission. Furthermore, the purposes to interfere and dominate by the United Nations actors are evident as described in the observations of the Special Envoy. The report implies a head on further clash and large-scale armed uprisings between the Government and its people themselves, unnoticeably encouraging the growing unity among groups in the name of common democratic aspirations and common sufferings. It does not utterly show moral support, but only lead to further division among nation and incitement to internal violence. Thus, the questions on integrity of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and accordingly, her presence are increasingly growing.

Similarly, almost the whole context in the report of the Special Rapporteur is enriched with distressing narratives by unknown persons with no clue to authenticity and accuracy. It is observed in his report that the Special Rapporteur brings unfounded rumour to a speedy and risky conclusion. For instance, by a narrative of military officer who defected from the Tatmadaw, the Special Rapporteur presumes that the acts conducted by the military likely constitute crimes against humanity. Based on a piece of rhetoric by an individual defector without reasoning and verification, it raises many questions on how such a one-sided conclusion could easily be responded. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur makes conclusion based on exaggerated information that the Myanmar Government’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused implication for new variants even deadlier and more contagious than Delta. It is interested to learn how the Special Rapporteur reaches such incorrect assumption based on which scientific studies. In the middle of July, a total of 7,083 persons were infected within a day, accounting for 33 per cent that is the highest figure of infection during the third wave. In cooperation with the people, the Myanmar Government has been putting its utmost efforts in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and the infection rate has significantly declined and currently it reaches less than 8 per cent at present.

It is also skeptical that just on a very weak basis of hearsay unreliable sources, how all these reports consistently made similar voice in denouncing the sovereign government while watering down the violent acts committed by the terrorist groups. Although both reports themselves superficially mentions that there are several acts of violence incited and initiated by terrorist groups, the actual numbers of deaths committed by them were even hidden. From February to late October 2021, there are altogether 3,642 terrorist acts that include 986 terror attacks, 2,344 bomb attacks and 312 arson attacks. Due to their terrorist attacks, 1,155 civilians died and 765 people were injured. Moreover, a total of 182 persons including 75 military personnel, 93 police personnel and 14 civil servants died while 602 were injured. A total of 251 schools and education buildings were torched and bombed by the terrorists. They destroyed roads and railways for 536 times and 76 bridges were also damaged. As a matter of fact, taking part in hostilities and using schools and religious buildings to attack state’s security forces by the terrorist groups may constitute war crimes. However, these appalling acts of terrorism are lacking in the reports and accordingly, it amounts to possible conspiracy to denounce the legitimate government and runs contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Presence of Kyaw Moe Tun, a dismissed civil servant who has been facing the charge of high treason, at the United Nations’ meetings including the aforesaid interactive dialogues also indicates the repeated failures of the United Nations in direct contravention of the principles of non-impartiality and non-interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. Myanmar cannot accept the motives of the Organization for its target on a country and using human rights as a political tool to intervene in the internal affairs of Myanmar.

Since their conducts and reports are infringing the sovereignty of the country and their contents did not reflect the actual situation of the country, Myanmar strongly rejects the reports of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur and their interactive dialogues where participation of the country concerned is also intentionally excluded.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nay Pyi Taw