Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews
Statement by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council
Human Rights Council – 53rd Session
Thank you, Mr. Vice President
Thank you, Special Rapporteur Andrews, for your continued work drawing attention to the appalling human rights crisis in Myanmar. I especially appreciate your concrete suggestions: weapons, money, legitimacy.
The United States shares your concerns about the escalation in violence and the growing humanitarian crisis unfolding across the country.
We are particularly concerned by your reporting that Myanmar’s military has managed to import nearly a billion dollars in arms and raw materials to manufacture weapons since February 2021.
This is taking place despite overwhelming credible reporting of the military’s human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and the sickening multitude of violations against children.
Member states who continue to sell and transfer weapons and raw materials to the military are enabling the atrocities occurring in Myanmar daily.
We call on member states to refrain from the sale or transfer of weapons or dual-use material to the military and encourage greater sanctions coordination to impede the military’s ability to purchase arms.
As the regime continues to buy weapons their citizens, especially the most vulnerable who have fled the country, go hungry in refugee camps. We are witness to the already present mass and permanent effects of malnutrition among refugees. I reiterate that starving families and children cannot eat resolutions; they need food,
This council cannot lose focus in this Council on the plight and democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar.
I thank you.
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