On behalf of the people of Myanmar, I wish to thank the United Kingdom for convening the United Nations Security Council Arria Formula Meeting yesterday to discuss “Myanmar Crisis, Conflict and COVID.” We greatly appreciate the UK ensuring representation from the National Unity Government  at the council by our courageous leaders and colleagues whom the junta has been trying to silence.

The messages from Security Council Member States could not have been clearer. Security Council members declared that the junta is illegitimate, that it has engaged in horrendous human rights violations for which it must be held accountable, and that it has not only mismanaged the Covid-19 outbreak, but it has also exacerbated it through relentless attacks on health care professionals.  

The Council stressed that the people of Myanmar desperately need humanitarian support from the international community, including the provision of Covid-19 vaccines and Covid-19 treatment supplies. Many Members pleaded that the Security Council must act now to prevent further human rights violations and deaths, including by ensuring a ceasefire is implemented as a prerequisite for Covid-specific humanitarian assistance. Council Members acknowledged that this is not just a crisis for Myanmar, but also a crisis for the region. 

I could not agree more with the statements made, including the question: “What are we waiting for?”  

It is a simple yet profound question. What is the international community waiting for? The people of Myanmar need action now. As a first step, the Security Council must pass a resolution demanding the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2565 – a Covid-19 ceasefire. Components of the resolution must include the requirement that the junta stop detaining medical personnel, that it release those doctors and nurses in detention while revoking outstanding warrants and charges, that it stop attacking people trying to get oxygen, and that it stop stealing medical supplies required to treat and prevent Covid-19. Then, the Security Council must enforce the resolution while ensuring Covid-19 vaccinations and relief reaches civilians in Myanmar that need it most.  

I encourage everyone to read the specific statements from Council Members. I have included some of them below my own statement. If there was ever any doubt of the gravity of the crisis, the party responsible, or the need for urgent action, these statements unequivocally resolve that doubt.  Further inaction in the face of this acknowledgement is unconscionable and a betrayal of the Security Council’s duty.    

To the people of Myanmar: Know that my National Unity Government colleagues and I will be working relentlessly to try and ensure that concrete steps to help bring our national nightmare to an end follow these strong statements of concern, support, and responsibility from Council Members.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of the Ministry of International Cooperation & NUG Spokesperson

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Select statements from UN Security Council Members, Arria Formula Meeting on Myanmar, July 29, 2020

“We do not recognize any legitimacy to the regime that emerged from the coup.” – France

“A professional military defends its country, but Burma’s military has only continued its crackdown to deepen its grip on power at a time when the people of Burma face escalating threats from disease and hunger.” – United States

“The catastrophes are caused by the military’s blatant disregard for democratic principles, their brutal crackdown against civilians, and their unwillingness to protect their own population. We reiterate our call for the military to immediately return the country to civilian rule, respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms, release all political detainees, and ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need.” – Norway

“With almost 1,000 people killed, thousands more arbitrarily arrested, and 200,000 people displaced, the military coup has had irreversible political, economic, and humanitarian consequences … We call for an end to the killings and violence and accountability for all those responsible for the crimes committed … Ongoing attacks by the military on medical personnel are unacceptable and only fuel the public health crisis. It is important to coordinate a Covid response that includes a humanitarian ceasefire and a vaccination program to prevent the unchecked spread of the pandemic.  We urge the military to stop the blockade and allow the humanitarian aid to be delivered to all those in need.” – Estonia

“We call again for an immediate end of violence and for the release of all the arbitrarily detained persons.” – Tunisia 

“The military has conducted massive violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law and will not go unpunished.” – France

“We once again urge this council to press the military to reverse course.Now is the time for increased pressure to cease the violence and support Burma’s path back to democracy. The military has explicitly said it does not intend to honor the commitments it made in Jakarta [the Five Point Consensus]. So what are we waiting for? The longer we wait, the more people die.” – United States

“The Security Council has the legitimacy to protect nations at risk, so we have to strengthen our efforts to respond to the pleas of the people of Myanmar … The international community cannot remain idle while Myanmar falls into disarray but must come to a solution through common efforts.”  – Estonia

“Reports that non-medical decisions determine the allocation of scarce vaccines are deplorable.  The pandemic has rendered millions in Myanmar even more vulnerable, including women, children, ethnic minorities, internally displaced persons, many of whom have been subject to systematic attacks and human rights violations by Myanmar’s military, including gender and sexual-based violence.” – Ireland

“What we are witnessing in Myanmar is a serious threat to peace and security. Refugee flows to neighboring countries contribute to instability and the spread of Covid 19. We must act”. – Norway

“Immediate attention must be given to the humanitarian situation because of the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases. This presents a unique opportunity to put aside political divergence and engage in a cooperative manner to prevent a more devastating third wave of infections in Myanmar.” – Niger

“While thousands of lives have been lost, the ability to prevent further tragedy is within our grasps. We must decisively act and we must act now. Safe and reliable humanitarian access, including through cross border corridors has to be guaranteed. And an immediate ceasefire, outlined in Resolution 2565 is a prerequisite for an impactful humanitarian response.” – Ireland

“This counsel is failing in our collective responsibility to safeguard international peace and security and it is failing the people of Myanmar. We must do more and we must do more now.” – United States