7 September 2026
(Geneva, 7 September 2026)
On 7 September 2026, during the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue (EID) was organized with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and with the so-called Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) as per the mandates created by the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The discussions became an echo chamber in the absence of the country concerned, against the principles of constructive international dialogue and cooperation.
Myanmar has never recognized the so-called Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) since its inception in 2018, and resolution 39/2, which created the mechanism, was adopted by the Human Rights Council without consensus. Amidst the liquidity crisis of the United Nations, over 15 million USD has been requested every year for the so-called IIMM, with an open-ended term. In addition, it received extrabudgetary funds from certain donors for discrete projects, raising questions about its independence, impartiality, and transparency.
Myanmar is disappointed that the presentation of the High Commissioner appears to have advanced political narratives by opposition groups and terrorist insurgent groups, which have been largely replicated and recast as if they were an assessment by the United Nations. Such assessments have been made largely based on the so-called credible sources, the very organizations supported by the sponsors of the mandates. It clearly shows how a group of countries has misused the Human Rights Council to pursue their specific political agenda.
The High Commissioner overlooks the essential context that the State security forces have been undertaking countermeasures under the Rules of Engagement in response to atrocities and heinous crimes perpetrated by terrorist insurgents and the so-called People’s Defence Force (PDF) terrorists. It is important to note that owing to the attacks of PDF terrorists and insurgent groups from 2021 to July 2026, a total of 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 7633 innocent civilians.
The violations, abuses, and discriminatory practices of the so-called Arakan Army (AA) terrorist insurgents group have received exceptional attention. In fact, it is not limited to the AA terrorist insurgents group, since other terrorist insurgent groups commit very similar tactics and atrocities against innocent residents, and such information is widely available in open sources. On the other hand, the High Commissioner continues to downplay the atrocities committed by the other insurgent groups and the so-called PDF under the so-called National Unity Government (NUG), which was declared a terrorist group in May 2021; nonetheless, acknowledges their retreat. People who had previously supported terrorist organizations, having witnessed their brutality, are now cooperating with the security forces, contributing to the restoration of government control over areas that had been temporarily occupied by these organizations in Chin and Kayah States and in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Tanintharyi Regions. Similarly, the youths who joined the so-called PDF realize the exploitation and abuses by terrorist insurgent groups and have returned to the legal fold, and such youths account for 4,441 as of 28 August 2026.
In connection with rare earth mining operations, no legal authorization or official permit has been granted 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 terrorist insurgent groups, particularly the so-called Kachin Independence Army (KIA) terrorist insurgent group. While particular attention has been paid to the issue, the presentation does not appear to adequately consider the manner in which armed terrorist groups have developed and maintained systems for the unlawful extraction and movement of natural resources beyond the State’s established legal, regulatory, and licensing mechanisms.
When it comes to the Rakhine issue, the root cause of the forced mass displacement of people from Rakhine State was the coordinated terrorist attacks launched by ARSA, aka Aqamul Mujahideen, in 2016 and 2017, targeting innocent people of different faiths. The current repatriation efforts have faced delays due to AA’s terrorist activities in Rakhine State. The Government remains committed to facilitating the return of verified individuals as per the bilateral agreements and arrangements and has been continuing the process based on relevant procedures. Myanmar reiterates that it does not recognize the invented term “Rohingya,” which has never existed in legal and historical records of the country.
Notwithstanding the terrorist attacks and other challenges, as well as external pressures, the Government remains steadfast in discharging its responsibilities to maintain public order, protect civilians, and address unlawful activities in accordance with the existing applicable law. In this context, characterizing Government military operations simply as attacks against civilians, without taking into account the armed terrorist attacks, unlawful territorial control, ethnic discrimination, looting and destruction of public, historical, cultural and religious infrastructure, illegal extraction of natural resources, and other unlawful activities being carried out by terrorist insurgent groups, is deceptive and misleading.
There is no compelling justification for the further maintenance or proliferation of such intrusive country-specific human rights mandates on Myanmar. Myanmar firmly rejects allegations and interfering recommendations that are unfounded and insufficiently substantiated, including those advanced by the High Commissioner, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), and certain delegations. The Government registers its appreciation to the delegations that are following their principled positions and have expressed balanced and constructive views on Myanmar during the discussions.
Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations
GENEVA