United Nations Human Rights Council
62nd Regular Session
Agenda Item 2
Oral statement of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) in the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report
Thank you, Mr President,
As the HRC celebrates its 20th anniversary, we highlight the critical historical importance of the HRC’s interactive dialogues engaging States and you, High Commissioner, in advancing the Council’s mandate. This includes a discussion on Myanmar, on which you will present a report later in the session.
Projecting legitimacy on an illegitimate regime must not serve to mask the reality that the junta continues to carry out atrocities, including against civilians across Myanmar. While the operation of the rule of law in Myanmar is absent, the military forces have increasingly weaponized the legal machinery to suppress free expression and shield perpetrators of atrocities from accountability.
Abuses of fair trial rights have become normalized throughout the justice system. There is reportedly widespread corruption within courts, including demands for excessive and unlawful payments in exchange for court documents, access to courts and timely hearings.
Lawyers representing political prisoners face intimidation, surveillance, arbitrary restrictions on access to clients, and reprisals.
The practice of incommunicado detention is widespread, with families and lawyers denied access to information regarding their whereabouts and deplorable conditions of detention.
The people of Myanmar deserve more than promises of supposed “stability”. They deserve freedom from arbitrary imprisonment, independent courts, fair trials, accountability, and justice. We therefore urge this Council and all States to increase support for accountability efforts and to demand the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained.
Thank you.
Statement delivered by: Sandra Epal-Ratjen – ICJ International Advocacy Director
For more information, contact: Sandra.epal@icj.org
