31 March 2026
The 61st session of the Human Rights Council took action on the draft resolution entitled “Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar” (A/HRC/61/L.24/Rev.1) tabled by Cyprus on behalf of the European Union on 31 March 2026 in Geneva. Myanmar consistently opposes country-specific resolutions and mandates that are created against the principles of impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity in the promotion and protection of human rights.
The text represents clear interference in the internal affairs of Myanmar under the pretext of human rights. While the people of Myanmar are inspired by the peaceful conclusion of the recent elections, the resolution attempts to discredit them and mislead the international community. The multiparty democratic general elections, which were held in three phases from 28 December 2025 to 25 January 2026, covered 80 percent of the country. Out of over 24.22 million eligible voters nationwide, a total of 13.14 million cast their votes in a free, fair, and transparent election, representing a 54.22 per cent turnout. The observers witnessed that the elections were held in a peaceful and orderly manner, in contrast to the assertions in the resolution.
Although the penholder tries to streamline the resolution, duplicated elements remain. The actions of armed terrorists responsible for horrific atrocities against civilians and the lawful actions of security forces in response cannot be equated. The draft significantly downplays the violence committed by terrorist groups, which have claimed the lives of over 9,000 innocent civilians, including 374 children, 1,306 administrative staff, 123 teachers, and 25 healthcare workers.
Furthermore, since the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has been tabling a separate resolution in connection with the displaced persons from Rakhine State, the elements contained in the resolution obviously demonstrate the multiplication and duplication of work.
Over the three decades, the resolution has never created a conducive environment for dialogue and cooperation between Myanmar and the international community. The elements contained in it indicate the extent of proliferation of duplicated mechanisms selectively targeting Myanmar. Without the consent of the country concerned, the work of the mechanisms is only meant to transform anti-government narratives into UN documents, contributing nothing to the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground. These mechanisms in total have called for approximately 22 million USD every year, including the so-called IIMM, which has requested over 19 million USD per year. In times of liquidity crisis and amid the review of the rationalization and efficiency of the human rights system, such unhelpful, costly mechanisms demand their termination.
The resolution also provokes member states to impose unilateral coercive measures against Myanmar contrary to international law and the UN Charter. Imposing sanctions will only disproportionately harm the public overall, including the vulnerable groups, which is a violation of human rights.
Myanmar has the willingness, ability, and functioning national institutions to address the alleged violations. It does not accept any outside measures under the pretext of accountability.
Since Myanmar steadfastly opposes the country-specific resolutions devised by certain groups of countries with the motive of interfering internal affairs of the country, Myanmar strongly rejects the said resolution as a whole and dissociates itself from the adoption of it.
Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations
GENEVA