The UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, delivered a statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 63rd session, highlighting a worsening human rights crisis across Myanmar. Reports indicate that airstrikes are the primary cause of civilian fatalities, impacting schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
The statement detailed that the Myanmar military's use of forced conscription, arson, and arbitrary detention has resulted in the displacement of more than 3.6 million people. Evidence of sexualised torture, including against children, in military detention facilities was also described as deeply disturbing.
The UK expressed grave concern over violations against ethnic and religious minorities, including forced labour, forced recruitment, and the loss of land and homes. The UK remains committed to accountability, having contributed £900,000 to a mechanism for collecting and preserving evidence of serious crimes in Myanmar. The UK also intervened jointly at the International Court of Justice and is awaiting the Court's judgment.