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8133rd Security Council Meeting: Situation in Myanmar
Describing “the most heartbreaking and horrific” accounts of sexual atrocities against girls and women in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the Special Representative of the Secretary‑General for Sexual Violence in Conflict told the Security Council today that every woman or girl she had spoken with had either endured brutal assault or had witnessed sexual violence, including seeing women literally being raped to death.
Pramila Patten, reporting on her recent visit to Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh, said those shocking accounts indicated a pattern of grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Sexual violence was being used as a push factor for forced displacement on a massive scale, with some survivors being told to leave because they were not citizens of Myanmar. It was crucial that safe return of the Rohingya people be accompanied by basic security and guaranteed rights. Otherwise, the cycle of violence, impunity and forced displacement risked being repeated if the underlying conditions did not change.
She urged the Security Council to demand a swift end to the atrocities, to ensure accountability to perpetrators, to create conditions for a safe and dignified future for survivors and to ensure unhindered humanitarian. In addition, an impartial, independent mechanism for investigation of crimes should be created, with those found implicated in abuses removed from positions of responsibility and prosecuted. Commending the Government and people of Bangladesh for their efforts on behalf of the displaced Rohingya, she reported that, tragically, the displacement and abuses that drove it were still continuing. “Inaction is not an option,” she stressed.
Jeffrey Feltman, Under‑Secretary‑General for Political Affairs, said that although violence in Rakhine State had subsided, new Rohingya refugees continued to arrive in Bangladesh, including more than 36,000 unaccompanied children. The estimated number of refugees entering Bangladesh since 25 August was now exceeding 626,000. Welcoming the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and Bangladesh, he urged all Myanmar leaders adopt measures to defuse tensions and create an environment for safe and dignified repatriation of refugees and internally displaced persons, including through interfaith initiatives.
The complex challenges in Rakhine required civilian‑military coordination, he emphasized. While the efforts by regional and other Member States in helping Myanmar address areas beyond Rakhine, including the peace process, were much appreciated, the 2020 elections would stand as an important test in the consolidation of the nation’s democratic institutions. The effort to achieve peace between the Government and various ethnic armed organizations was a cornerstone of that transition. The appointment of a Special Envoy by the Secretary‑General could strengthen the United Nations partnership with Myanmar in close consultations with interested Member States in the region and beyond, he said.
Myanmar’s representative emphasized that his Government did not condone human rights abuses and, if provided with concrete evidence, would take legal action against transgressors. His country had embraced the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State as a road map to solving the root causes of the problem and was committed to implementing those recommendations. However, noting the Security Council’s recent presidential statement on Myanmar, the approval by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) of an almost identical draft text, as well as the Human Rights Council’s adoption of another draft resolution on the subject, he reiterated his country’s objection to such discriminatory and selective application of overlapping action.
Bangladesh’s delegate said his country was continuing to receive an average of 100 to 400 Rohingya people daily, with many of them arriving following alleged coercion to accept national verification documents designating them as Bengalis. Although his Government’s agreement with Myanmar was a critical first step, he cautioned that repatriation within a reasonable time frame must not be taken as license to prolong the process over an indefinite period. At the same time, he called on the Myanmar authorities to end divisive policies, including the State policy of treating the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, and he urged the Council to act as the custodian of the bilateral process, as well as the rights of the Rohingya people.
Council members welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and Bangladesh and Myanmar’s commitment to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission. However, speakers also expressed concern at continued violence and human rights violations and called for accountability for the perpetrators of crimes, including sexual violence, as well as unhindered access for humanitarian workers.
China’s representative said a three‑stage approach had been proposed, including the ceasing of hostilities. While that goal had been reached, it was crucial to prevent any recurrence of conflicts. The international community should encourage consultations between Myanmar and Bangladesh. However, the problem of Rakhine State had religious and historical backgrounds, and a solution could not be reached overnight. He cautioned that Council action, while offering short‑term relief, could also cause negative effects in the long term.
The Russian Federation’s delegate underlined the importance of refraining from counterproductive condemnations against Myanmar and accusations of genocide of Muslims. What was needed first and foremost was goodwill between the two countries, Myanmar and Bangladesh, as well as all parties, he said, adding that the situation was caused by the activities of previous colonial administrations.
Japan’s representative, describing bilateral meetings between Japanese and Myanmar officials, said that punitive action had been urged against serious violators of human rights. Commending Bangladesh on its response to humanitarian needs, and welcoming recent efforts by Myanmar to improve access, he reported on his country’s significant contribution to priority needs for displaced persons. Japan was ready to further support the two countries to move such efforts forward to improve the situation on the ground. The international community, as well, must continue to support Myanmar’s efforts to seek long‑term solutions, including implementation of the recommendations.
Also speaking today were representatives of the United Kingdom, United States, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Sweden, Ethiopia, France, Italy, Bolivia, Uruguay, Senegal and Ukraine.
The meeting began at 3:10 p.m. and ended at 5:21 p.m.