25 January, Nay Pyi Taw
The Myanmar’s third cycle report on human rights issue was reviewed by the UPR Working Group on 25 January 2021 during its 37th session held at the building of United Nat ions in Geneva, Switzerland. The Myanmar delegation (from respective Ministries) led by the Attorney General of the Union, U Tun Tun Oo, joined the session via video conferencing from Nay Pyi Taw and U Myint Thu, Permanent Representative of Myanmar and his delegation attended that session in Geneva respectively.
The Attorney General of the Union, the leader of Myanmar delegation said that Myanmar is establishing a democratic federal union with the focus on respect, protection, promotion and fulfillment of human rights; the peace, socio-economic development, rule of law, fundamental rights are the perquisites for achieving a genuine democracy; the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was signed between the ethnic armed organizations to peacefully resolve the over seven-decade-long the Government and internal strife; basic guiding principles for implementation of a democratic federal union-building process are set out at the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference 21st Century Panglong; a total of existing 185 laws have been amended, repealed and promulgated as may be necessary to be in line with democratic standards and international standards in the five-year term; the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP) is being implemented to integrate human rights and development; to fight against the current threat of COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to ensuring that no one is left behind, the Government has implemented the COVID- 19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) to mitigate financial, social and economic impacts of the pandemic as a “Whole-of-Nation” approach; by implementing Judicial Strategic Plan, Judicial Independence, dissemination of legal knowledge, access to justice for all and effective judicial system through case management are carried out for reforms in Judiciary Sector; in respect of human rights violations in Rakhine State, investigations on findings of Independent Commission of Enquiry- ICOE’s report and taking legal actions against the crimes are being conducted by the Union Attorney-General Office and the Office of the Judge Advocate-General; the President Office issued the Notification on Prevention of incitement hatred and violence or Prevention of proliferation of hate speech; Bill for Protection against Hate-Speech is under the drafting process and the General Election was held in November 2020 in a free, fair and transparent manner, and he also expressed thanks to the partner countries and organizations which are supporting Myanmar in its .moving forward to democratic reform process.
Then, the 107 UN member countries discussed and made suggestions on the third cycle report of Myanmar. In response to the discussions, the second leader of Myanmar delegation, the Myanmar Permanent representative, discussed the government’s good democratic practices, good governance, responsibility and accountability , accelerating reform processes in management, economy and social sectors for the emergence of a democratic federal union; efforts on anti-corruption and rule of law; creating of a new political culture in order to solve internal strife through negotiations by adopting Peace Plans for the post-2020; implementation of recommendations in the report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State; closure of IDP camps; emphasis on education and health sector and repatriation programmes of displaced persons in line with bilateral agreements between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The matters on humanitarian assistance m collaboration with the United Nations, and preparations for participating in international human rights agreement were discussed by Director General Daw Mar Lar Than Htaik from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the matters on the enactment of the Bill for Protection against Hate Speech, and freedom of media were discussed by Deputy Director General Dr Thida Tin from the Ministry of Information ; the matters on the Responsible Business that covers economy, human rights and environmental conservation were discussed by Deputy Director General Dr Aung Moe Chal from the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations; the matters on education, health and freedom of belief were discussed by Director General U Ko Lay Win from the Ministry of Education; the matters on anti-terrorism efforts, anti-trafficking in persons, prisoner issue were discussed by Brig-Gen Aung Htay Mying from the Ministry of Home Affairs; the matters on closure of IDPs, gender equality, women’s rights, child’s rights and the rights of persons with disabilities were discussed by Director General Dr San San Aye from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement; the matters on reviewing processes of the existing laws, reforms in Judiciary Sector, anti-corruption, rule of law, legal protection for human right activists, freedom of speech, rights of peaceful gathering and protests, and land dispute issue were discussed by Permanent Secretary Dr Daw Th1da Oo from the Attorney General Office of the Union; the matters on labour rights, prevention of forced labour and social security fund ·and citizenship issues were discussed by Director-General U Nyunt Win from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population.
After reviewing the report, the leader of Myanmar delegation, the Attorney General of the Union, expressed thanks to member states which rendered support of Myanmar with constructive and objective recommendations during this session and he concluded that, as a multi-ethnic society, by fostering social cohesion between different communities, the Government is creating a favorable environment in which people living harmony in diversity; Myanmar will continue to cooperate with local and international organizations and it is believed that the UPR process will contribute to the challenges of human right in Myanmar which are necessary for building a democratic federal union.
In respect of submission of Myanmar’s UPR report, the initial report of the UPR Working Group will be approved on 29 January 2021 and the implementation of recommendations and the progress of human rights situation will be assessed on the fourth cycle report tin 2025.
Union Attorney General’s Office