51st session of the Human Rights Council. Interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.
Nordic-Baltic Statement Delivered by Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi, Permanent Representative of Finland.
12.09.2022
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland.
We welcome the report of the IIMM and reiterate our support for its mandate. We strongly condemn the human rights violations and abuses in Myanmar, which the IIMM indicates amount to systematic crimes against humanity, as well as the recent execution of pro- democracy leaders. The reporting on systematic sexual and gender based violence and crimes against and affecting children is especially appalling.
Since the military takeover in February 2021, the human rights situation in Myanmar has only deteriorated, especially for persons belonging to religious and other minorities. Over one million Rohingyas are displaced. This underlines the importance of a well-functioning accountability Mechanism. The three million information items in the IIMM repository send a clear message: perpetrators must be held accountable. We call on all partners of the international community, to cooperate fully with the Mechanism, so it can deliver and victims can get justice.
Thank you.