Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President,
New Zealand thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report on Myanmar.
New Zealand reiterates our grave concerns regarding the human rights abuses in Myanmar following the 1 February 2021 coup as outlined in the Special Rapporteur’s report. Further, we are deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation and by the reports of violence against civilians, including women and children.
New Zealand condemns the complete disregard for human rights and democratic principles shown by the military regime. This includes the continuation of violence against civilians, the arbitrary detention of political figures and the erosion of media freedoms.
We are further concerned that already marginalised peoples, including the Rohingya, will be further adversely affected by the military’s increasingly violent and repressive actions following the coup.
We reiterate the Special Rapporteur’s calls for an immediate end to violence, the return to civilian rule with full respect for freedom of expression and association, and for the military regime to allow full access to humanitarian aid and to give access to, and cooperate with, UN offices and international accountability mechanisms.
New Zealand welcomes the continuing attention from the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Myanmar.
Thank you, Mr President.