HRC59: Joint statement during interactive dialogue on Myanmar – addressing ongoing atrocity crimes and the collapse of judicial independence

United Nations Human Rights Council

59th Regular Session

Item 4

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report and oral update of the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

Joint Oral Statement

27 June 2025

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the International Commission of Jurists, the Law Council of Australia, and Lawyers Rights Watch Canada again condemn the ongoing systematic atrocity crimes that have been carried out chronically in Myanmar.

Over four years since the 2021 military coup, arbitrary arrests and detention, and unfair trials of perceived opponents of the military regime remain widespread. Credible reports indicate members of the military and security forces are responsible for the torture and other ill-treatment of individuals in detention, including rape and other sexual violence, forced labour, and denial of medical care. This is often used to extract so-called “confessions” from detainees.

Judges reportedly dismiss lawyers’ credible allegations of torture, with forced “confessions” being routinely relied upon by courts to convict perceived opponents. As affirmed by the High Commissioner’s report, the judicial system has become entirely subsumed by the military and lacks any independence. Lawyers continue to face severe and undue restrictions on the exercise of their professional duties, having to work under a constant fear of being arrested.

We again urge this Council to respond decisively to the human rights crisis in Myanmar and call on the international community to use and support all necessary and effective means to ensure justice and accountability for all crimes under international law.

Thank you.

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The full statement is available for download here.