New York, 28 December 2021 (TDI): Noeleen Heyzer, Special Envoy for Myanmar, stated in regard to Myanmar’s human rights situation and the violence in Kayin state that security forces have responded with brutal crackdowns against demonstrations that have taken place since last February.
“The people of Myanmar have already suffered tremendously.”
UN Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzer appeals for New Year’s ceasefire throughout the country. https://t.co/JMrk3MlsKj
— United Nations (@UN) December 27, 2021
Noeleen Heyzer was appointed Special Envoy for Myanmar by UN Secretary-General António Guterres last October. She succeeds Christine Shraner Burgener, who served since April 2018.
As Heyzer pointed out, “the people of Myanmar have already suffered tremendously, and the socio-economic and humanitarian situation has been compounded by the COVID-19 epidemic.”
She also added that those inflicting torment on their own people, need to avoid violence and protect people in times of great need. “The future of Myanmar’s children counts on this. ”
As she echoed the call of the UN Security Council for all parties to exercise restraint and choose a peaceful solution in the interests of the people, she also echoed the call for the Association of Southeast Asian States to put an immediate stop to the violence.
All parties should act in the nation’s long-term interest. Under international law, they must protect civilians, ensure freedom of movement to safety, and permit humanitarian aid to reach those in need. In this regard, she called for a New Year’s ceasefire throughout Myanmar.
Special Envoy Heyzer has actively engaged all stakeholders from the moment she was appointed to support a Myanmar-led process. In a statement, it stated the Special Envoy, with the support of her office, would directly engage with all those affected by the ongoing crisis, which has become multi-faceted with devastating regional implications.
Accordingly, she will focus on mobilizing coherent international support based on regional unity. On Sunday, UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief, Martin Griffiths said the Myanmar authorities must investigate a lethal attack on civilians in Kayah state.
According to reports, a minimum of 35 people, including a child, were killed in the attack on Friday. In his remarks, Martin Griffiths condemned these terrible incidents and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law.
He urged the government to launch a “thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that the perpetrators can be swiftly brought to justice.” In addition, he urged the Myanmar army and armed groups to protect civilians in every way possible.
The UN and its humanitarian partners remain committed to providing assistance to the people of Myanmar, he said. After the military coup in February, the UN continued monitoring developments in Myanmar. The UN human rights office, OHCHR, announced earlier this month that it was appalled by the grave human rights abuses.
The Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville said grave violations of life, liberty, and security of people are reported daily, as well as rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression.
