3 September 2026
Myanmar observes that the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights contained in document A/HRC/63/21, submitted to the 63rd regular session of the Human Rights Council, merely transforms the political narratives of the opposition groups and their affiliated organizations of armed and terrorist groups into a United Nations document. The report further admits that there were limitations in verifying information to its applicable standards, and it relies heavily on what it terms “credible sources” to make several unfounded allegations. Since the mandate itself violates the principles of universality, objectivity, and non-selectivity, its product serves the purpose of politicization and double standards.
Reference is made to paragraphs under subtitle III. While the author does not have firsthand information, it states “the military killed a minimum of 8,075 civilians”, “31,010 individuals have been arbitrarily arrested” by citing “credible sources reported” and “according to credible sources”. If the viewers carefully check the so-called credible sources, they would find out these sources are the very organizations supported by the sponsors of the mandate. It clearly shows how a group of countries has misused the Human Rights Council to pursue their specific political agenda.
While it is the well-established practice of insurgent and terrorist groups to forcibly recruit youths in areas where they are temporarily occupying, the report portrays it as a response to the military’s augmented strength. The People’s Military Service Law was enacted in 2010, and it was brought into force in 2024 with the purpose of enabling citizens to fulfill their duty of national defence and to organize military training. The authorities involved in unlawful or improper conscription practices have been subjected to legal action; some cases were already completed, and others were ongoing, and necessary actions have been taken against the administrators who demand money or otherwise abuse the summoning process.
In April 2026, the Government announced the pardon and release of nearly 6,000 prisoners on humanitarian grounds and a desire for them to participate in the nation-building task. This large-scale pardon included U Win Myint among others, a move that many observers see as positive. Moreover, the President has, under Section 541 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, granted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi permission to serve the remainder of her sentence at a designated residence. Death sentences were also commuted to life imprisonment; life imprisonment and indefinite imprisonment were reduced to 40 years; sentences exceeding 40 years were reduced to 40 years; and shorter terms were reduced by one-sixth of the remaining sentence. The number of prisoners who were granted pardons from 2021 to May 2026 is 126,964. The ICRC Resident Representative to Myanmar visited with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 3 August 2026 in accordance with the ICRC’s standards and procedures. Myanmar facilitated the prison visits of the ICRC to a total of 13 prisons and 2 detention centres in 2025.
Reference is made to paragraphs under subtitle IV. The private school in Thaye Tit Pin village, Kyauktaw, Rakhine state is no longer functioning following the occupation by the Arakan Army (AA) terrorist insurgent group, and on 12 September 2025, the military conducted an airstrike after confirming that the site has been used by the terrorists for military purposes. Concerning the Mrauk-U incident, the departmental staff, doctors, and nurses were evacuated due to attacks by AA terrorists, and the hospital was officially closed by the government in July 2024. The Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) carried out necessary security measures and launched a counter-terrorism operation in December 2025 against the buildings being used as a base by AA and so-called People’s Defence Forces (PDF) combined terrorist groups. The photos shared by these terrorist groups on social media showed their own injured members and messages of condolences were exchanged between them for their deceased members. Another incident in Pannagyun township also in Rakhine State on 24 February 2026: the Tatmadaw validated the site as directly related to the terrorist activities of the AA terrorist insurgent group, and it was confirmed that AA strategist Aung Kyaw Zan was killed during the operation.
The paragraphs largely include violations, abuses, and discriminatory practices of the AA terrorist insurgent group. In fact, it is not limited to the AA terrorist insurgent group, since other terrorist insurgent groups commit very similar tactics and atrocities against residents, and such information is widely available in open sources. The conduct of the other terrorist insurgent groups demonstrates a pattern of territorial expansion beyondthe designated Self-Administered Zones, accompanied by the practice of ethnic discrimination and serious abuses against civilians. Their attempts to seize and control areas inhabited by other ethnic communities result in the displacement and expulsion of local populations, particularly members of other ethnic groups, as well as the looting of property and destruction of civilian, historical, cultural, and religious infrastructure. Their attacks on residential areas, hospitals, schools and religious sites, together with killings, executions, torture, abductions and other inhumane acts, reflect a disregard for civilian life and extreme racism.
On the other hand, the report continues to be silent on the atrocities committed by the so-called PDF under the so-called National Unity Government (NUG), which was declared as terrorist group in May 2021; nonetheless, it acknowledges their retreat. People who once supported the terrorist organizations, having witnessed their heinous crimes and cruelty, are now cooperating with security forces in defending their towns and infrastructure. Due to the attacks of PDF terrorists and armed groups from 2021 to July 2026, a total 9,908 individuals were killed, including 246 government employees, 129 education staff, 26 health workers, 1,345 administrative officials, 133 monks and nuns, 396 children, and 7,633 innocent civilians.
Counter-terrorism operations have been conducted since the Government of Myanmar is responsible for protecting the lives and property of its citizens and residents; these counter-insurgency measures are leading to the control of the towns and villages which were temporarily seized by the terrorists. Residents have now returned to their own places, which are now becoming under government control, and relevant public departments have been ensuring access to essential public services for the local populace. With the cooperation of local communities, the Tatmadaw has been regaining control of such areas in Chin and Kayah States and in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Tanintharyi Regions. The restoration of control over the areas has also facilitated the reopening of the key trading corridors, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trade Route.
Reference is made to subtitle V. No legal authorization or official permit has been granted for rare earth mining operations in Chipwi and Pang War areas in Kachin State, as well as in Shan State. Most rare earth extraction in the area was being carried out illegally by armed groups, particularly the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) insurgent group. The report itself stated that rare earths are moved by land across border points under the control of the armed groups. Although rare earth mining in Kachin State has generated immense gain for the insurgent and terrorist group, local communities suffer the brunt of environmental degradation. The armed group reportedly imposes extortion for illegal rare earth extraction.
In connection with alleged contamination in the Kok River in Thailand, Myanmar has conducted measurements of the Nam Kok River (Kok River) since 2025. The local authorities in Shan State conducted inspections and field assessments along the Nam Kok River in May and June 2025. Water quality assessments were undertaken at seven locations in Mong Hsat District, Shan State, including seven locations along the Nam Kok River. To ensure ongoing safety, Myanmar continues to conduct monthly monitoring of water quality along the river within its territory. The measurements showed that, except in July and August 2025, the arsenic level remained below both the WHO guideline and Thailand’s standard of 0.01 mg per litre in all other months. In July and August, the levels were found to be slightly above the WHO guideline. However, as Myanmar’s national standard is 0.05 mg per litre, the levels remained below Myanmar’s prescribed standard. On 28 May 2025, an inspection team led by the Colonel of the Triangle Regional Military Command conducted a field inspection along the Nam Kok River. During the inspection, the team identified an abandoned gold extraction site that had reportedly ceased operations approximately a year ago. The inspection team also identified a mineral extraction facility operated by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which had reportedly been active since 2022 and was subsequently suspended the operation in June 2025. As part of ongoing bilateral engagements, a high-level ministerial meeting between Myanmar and Thailand was held on 20 August 2025 in Nay Pyi Taw to strengthen cooperation on environmental matters. During the visit of President U Min Aung Hlaing to Thailand in August 2026, the two countries signed the Terms of Reference for the Joint Working Group on Water Quality Management in Boundary and Transboundary Rivers.
In conclusion, the activities of armed organizations should be assessed not in terms of their political claims and narratives; the report should take into account the official explanations and different perspectives coming from other sources, and it should pay more attention to the armed and terrorist groups’ economic interests in the ongoing conflicts, their maltreatment of local communities who are opposing their actions and involvement in illicit activities. In areas under their control, the armed and terrorist groups have developed extensive systems for extracting natural resources, outside the Government’s formal regulatory and licensing framework. The resulting exploitation of natural resources can deprive the State of lawful revenue, cause serious environmental degradation, and impose substantial costs on the interests of local communities whose land, livelihoods and natural environment are negatively affected.
These activities should be considered alongside reports of territorial expansion beyond areas traditionally associated with particular ethnic populations, discrimination and displacement of people from other communities, as well as killings, abductions, torture and other abuses against civilians. In addition, armed organizations and territories under their control have been associated with other illicit economic activities, including narcotics production and trafficking, unregulated extraction of natural resources and online scam operations.
The report inevitably acknowledges such systematic and widespread violations, illegal activities, and their irreparable harms inflicted on civilians by insurgent and terrorist groups. The report shows favoritism towards such insurgent and terrorist organizations by using the term “recommend” in its conclusions and recommendations section. In the same section, the report uses the term “call” when it makes intrusive demands to Tatmadaw. It further demonstrates the undue influence of such insurgent and terrorist groups on the United Nations mandate, which is supposed to be independent, professional, and free from any kind of extraneous influence, incitement, pressure, threat, or interference.
The Myanmar Government nevertheless bears responsibility for maintaining public order, protecting civilians and responding to illegal activities in accordance with applicable law. In this context, describing all Government military operations simply as attacks on civilians, without considering the armed attacks, unlawful territorial controls and other criminal activities of the armed and terrorist groups, risks presenting an incomplete picture of the prevailing situation in Myanmar. A more balanced assessment should take into account the Government’s efforts to address armed groups that exercise territorial control, engage in illicit resource extraction and other criminal activities, and threaten the security and livelihoods of the wider population.
Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations
Geneva
3 September 2026