Ambassador Larry Dinger
U.S. Senior Area Adviser for East Asia and Pacific Affairs
New York, New York
November 16, 2022
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Chairperson. The United States is proud to co-sponsor the resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. We thank the core group for a productive negotiations process.
We note with great concern the atrocities and other human rights abuses, including torture, reportedly committed by Myanmar, and more specifically, the Myanmar military, which has escalated violence against the people of Myanmar, including members of civil society, journalists, and human rights defenders.
The Myanmar military’s actions since the February 2021 military coup have created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe that is rapidly undoing the hard-fought democratic progress achieved by the Myanmar people over the past decade. The worsening crisis has exacerbated conditions for Myanmar’s most vulnerable populations, including Rohingya and members of other ethnic and religious minority communities.
We urge the international community to act collectively to pressure the military to cease violence, release all those unjustly detained, address human rights abuses, promote justice and accountability, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and support the people of Myanmar in their aspirations for peace and multiparty democracy.
We condemn the military regime’s continued repression and call for coordinated action, including an international arms embargo. The continued transfer and sale of arms by Member States to the military must stop. We call on all UN Member States to refrain from complicity in the regime’s continued violence and brutality against people in Myanmar. We will continue to press for language condemning the sale of arms to the regime.
With regard to other issues relevant to this resolution, we refer you to the U.S. General Statement and the unabridged version of our statement, which will be posted on the U.S. Mission’s website on the final day of this session.
The United States will continue to work with our international partners to advance justice and accountability for the military’s atrocities and unjust actions, including against Rohingya, and highlight behavior that undermines the regime’s credibility. We stand with those promoting peace, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and inclusive democratic governance.
In closing, we reiterate our ongoing support for the people of Myanmar and encourage all delegations to co-sponsor and vote in favor of this resolution. Thank you, Chairman.
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