Date : 2018.09.18

IMADR statement on “Human rights violations against minorities in Myanmar and India” at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. 

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IMADR Oral Statement: 39th session of the Human Rights Council

Item 4: General Debate

18 September 2018

Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU

Thank you Mr. President,

We welcome the Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar which identified grave human rights violations committed by Myanmar’s military and other security forces in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine States and concluded for the need for further investigations and prosecution for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. We call for the full implementation of the Mission’s recommendations by all stakeholders, in particular on setting up an international, impartial and independent mechanism on international crimes. We also urge all States to refrain from taking any measures which disagree with the Mission’s recommendations. The international community must apply the lessons learned from Sri Lanka.

We express concerns on the last month’s arrests of five human rights defenders and advocates in India who are known for their human rights activities for minorities and other discriminated groups including Dalits. By arbitrarily arresting them, the Government of India is undermining the freedom of expression and spreading a chilling effect among civil society, human rights defenders and minorities while it fails to counter the rise of religious nationalism and violence. We call on the Government of India to refrain from any oppressive measures against human rights defenders, in particular those working for the right to equality and non-discrimination, and take effective measures against violence and attacks on minority communities by religious extremists in line with international human rights standards.

Thank you Mr. President.