HRC Myanmar
/
3:35
/
MP4
/
264.8 MB

Edited News | OHCHR , UNITED NATIONS

Human Rights Council - Special Session on Myanmar

Calling for the release “arbitrarily detained” people in Myanmar, including civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the UN’s top human rights body convened a special session in Geneva today to discuss the military coup of 1 February.

In her opening remarks to the Human Rights Council, the UN’s Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif warned that “the world is watching”

Myanmar’s military junta.

“Draconian orders have been issued this week to prevent peaceful assembly and free expression, and police and military presence on the streets has grown progressively over the last several days. Following violent clashes with police on 9 February, at least one woman is in critical condition. Pro-military and nationalist groups have also taken to the streets,” Ms. Al-Nashif said.

A draft resolution presented by the United Kingdom and the European Union, calls for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Ms. Suu Kyi and other senior officials in her government, a lifting of restrictions on the internet and unimpeded humanitarian access, among other things.

“Let us be clear: the indiscriminate use of lethal or less-than-lethal weapons against peaceful protestors is unacceptable. More violence against Myanmar’s people will only compound the illegitimacy of the coup, and the culpability of its leaders”, said the Deputy High Commissioner.

General Min Aung Hlaing’s coup on February 1 ousted the civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi following a general election in November which her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide.

The armed forces had backed the opposition, who were demanding a rerun of the vote, claiming “widespread fraud.” The election commission said there was no evidence to support these claims.

“This crisis was born of impunity”, said the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Long-standing lack of civilian control over the military, its disproportionate influence in the country’s political and economic structures, and ongoing failure to genuinely account for crimes committed by the security forces over decades, have combined to compromise Myanmar’s democratization and indeed its development,” Ms. Al-Nashif added.

The UN official urged “the strongest possible call for the military authorities to respect the result of the election, to return power to civilian control and immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained”.

The draft resolution sponsored by the UK and the EU also calls to give the independent expert on Myanmar, Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, access to the country.

Mr. Andrews addressed the Human Rights Council by video conference, saying that “the very act of convening this session makes an important statement of the gravity with which this Council views the coup d’état of a duly elected government and the events that have followed”.

On the accusations of election fraud, he said that “even if election irregularities did exist, there was, and is, no justification for declaring a state of emergency, arresting the civilian leadership, and attempting to destroy Myanmar’s fledgling democracy”.

He added that “the coup is truly illegal in every sense of the word” and that “the international community must refuse to recognize this illegal regime”.

The draft resolution emphasizes that the Myanmar military and other security forces and authorities should respect the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using any unnecessary or excessive force against the public.

“There are growing reports and photographic evidence that Myanmar security forces have used live ammunition–– lethal force––against protesters”, the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar told the Council. “This violates international law. Arbitrary detentions and intimidation are also on the rise. Not only are political leader targets, but community and civil society leaders as well”.

Myanmar’s Ambassador Myint Thu responded by underscoring his country’s commitment to democratic values, and justifying the military’s intervention as necessary.

“In light of the post-election irregularities and the following complex situation, Tatmadaw was compelled to take the State responsibilities in accordance with the State constitution. With the ordinance No. 1/2021 on 1 February 2021, the state of emergency was declared for one year and the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the State were transferred by Acting President to the Commander in Chief of the Defense Forces,” he said, adding that “the State Administrative Council was formed on 2nd February 2021, with 16 members”.

The 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council will vote on the draft resolution in the afternoon, Central European Time.

  1. Exterior wide shot, pan Ariana Park with Palais des Nations
  2. Wide shot, Assembly Hall at the UN Geneva
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) — Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: “The world is watching. Draconian orders have been issued this week to prevent peaceful assembly and free expression, and police and military presence on the streets has grown progressively over the last several days. Following violent clashes with police on 9 February, at least one woman is in critical condition. Pro-military and nationalist groups have also taken to the streets”.
  4. Medium shot, podium with speakers at Assembly Hall
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) - Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Let us be clear: the indiscriminate use of lethal or less-than-lethal weapons against peaceful protestors is unacceptable. More violence against Myanmar’s people will only compound the illegitimacy of the coup, and the culpability of its leaders”.
  6. Wide shot, Assembly Hall
  7. SOUNDBITE (English) - Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: “This crisis was born of impunity. Long-standing lack of civilian control over the military, its disproportionate influence in the country’s political and economic structures, and ongoing failure to genuinely account for crimes committed by the security forces over decades, have combined to compromise Myanmar’s democratization and indeed its development”.
  8. Wide shot, Assembly Hall with video message
  9. SOUNDBITE (English) - Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: “We recommend the strongest possible call for the military authorities to respect the result of the election, to return power to civilian control and immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained”.
  10. Medium shot, podium with speakers at Assembly Hall
  11. SOUNDBITE (English) - Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar: “The very act of convening this session makes an important statement of the gravity with which this Council views the coup d’état of a duly elected government and the events that have followed”.
  12. Wide shot, Assembly Hall with video message
  13. SOUNDBITE (English) - Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar: “Even if election irregularities did exist, there was, and is no justification for declaring a state of emergency, arresting the civilian leadership, and attempting to destroy Myanmar’s fledgling democracy”.
  14. Wide shot, Assembly Hall
  15. SOUNDBITE (English) - Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar: “The coup is truly illegal in every sense of the word. The international community must refuse to recognize this illegal regime”.
  16. Wide shot, Assembly Hall
  17. SOUNDBITE (English) - Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar: “There are growing reports and photographic evidence that Myanmar security forces have used live ammunition–– lethal force––against protesters. This violates international law. Arbitrary detentions and intimidation are also on the rise. Not only are political leader targets, but community and civil society leaders as well”.
  18. Wide shot, Assembly Hall with video message
  19. SOUNDBITE (English) - Ambassador Myint Thu, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG): “In light of the post-election irregularities and the following complex situation, Tatmadaw was compelled to take the State responsibilities in accordance with the State constitution. With the ordinance No. 1/2021 on 1 February 2021, the state of emergency was declared for one year and the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the State were transferred by acting president to the Commander in Chief of the Defense Forces. The State Administrative Council was formed on 2nd February 2021, with 16 members”.
  20. Medium shot, podium with speakers at Assembly Hall

Similar Stories

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate ENG FRA

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed the Human Rights Council during a meeting on the Israeli strike on negotiators in Qatar on Tuesday. “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiating processes around the world,” he said.

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF ENG FRA

Gaza: Thirsty and starving, war-battered families face ‘inhumane’ evacuation 

As bombs continue to fall on Gaza City as part of the intensifying Israeli military operation, families with starving children are being pushed southwards from one “hellscape” to another, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK ENG FRA

New UN Human Rights report finds 10 years of increased suffering repression and fear

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday published a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2014. 

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

The ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating Afghanistan earthquake disaster continued on Friday, although essential services have been cut for operational reasons following reinforced Taliban restrictions on women working with the UN, the global body said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council ENG FRA

Un nouveau rapport du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme sur la République démocratique du Congo évoque le spectre de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité dans le Nord et le Sud-Kivu., 

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO ENG FRA

Ukraine: ‘Relentless’ attacks rattle health system as winter approaches: WHO

Ambulances attacked, chronically ill patients lacking care and no peace in sight: for millions of Ukrainians, the run-up to another winter of war is just the latest life-or-death challenge they face, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Tuesday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his report on Sri Lanka to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity ENG FRA

A UN report on the Democratic Republic of Congo raises specter of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu, according to UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025 ENG FRA

As billions of people continue to breathe polluted air that causes more than 4.5 million premature deaths every year, UN climate experts on Friday highlighted how damaging microscopic smoke particles from wildfires play their part, travelling half-way across the world.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence made the following comment on the on-going presidential election process in Cameroon at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.