Interactive Dialogue with High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Human Rights Council – 52nd Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
And thank you, High Commissioner Turk, for your continued attention to the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and your impassioned report today.
The Myanmar military’s actions since the coup have created a human rights and humanitarian crisis that has undone the hard-fought progress achieved by the Myanmar people over the past decade. I have personally heard first-hand accounts of the devastating effects of the crisis on the people of Myanmar.
We note continued, credible reporting of torture and sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and other human rights violations and abuses committed by Myanmar’s military.
The violence must cease immediately, and those responsible must be held accountable.
We call for an international arms embargo and targeted economic action to prevent the flow of weapons to the military.
UN Security Council resolution 2669 calls for the regime to end its violence across the country, release arbitrarily detained prisoners, allow unhindered humanitarian access, protect members of minority groups, and respect the will and democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar. We have yet to see results.
We urge stronger pressure from the international community as we must stand together to demand an end to the violence and seek a peaceful reconciliation to the crisis.
Mr. High Commissioner, how can we support civil society and human rights defenders under threat in Myanmar? We have an obligation to renew at least a sliver of hope.
I thank you.
###