49th session of the Human Rights Council
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights situation in Myanmar
Intervention by Sweden on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
Thank you, President.
I deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
Thank you, Special Rapporteur, for your update and the attention you draw to the ongoing serious human rights situation in Myanmar.
It is now more than a year since the brutal military coup in Myanmar. In recent months the violence and military build-up across the country have further escalated. The reports of mass killings, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, airstrikes and burning of villages and attacks on civilian facilities are horrific and unacceptable. Ensuring accountability for serious international crimes remains critical.
We continue to condemn the actions of the military and reiterate our call to immediately end all forms of violence against civilians and for the release of all those arbitrarily detained.
We are concerned about the continued repression of the right to freedom of speech including surveillance, harassment and arrests of journalists, human right defenders and civil society in general.
The crisis in Myanmar is also humanitarian – and it is becoming increasingly acute with over 14 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be ensured.
Special Rapporteur,
How can the international community address the increased repression of freedom of speech in Myanmar?