UNGA Third Committee

Item XX: – Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar Interactive dialogue

National Statement delivered on 22 October 2021

Australia thanks the Special Envoy for her briefing and for the Secretary-General’s recent report on the human rights situation in Myanmar. We commend your efforts, throughout your term, to engage all stakeholders on a solution to the crisis and to advocate for political freedoms and respect for human rights for the people of Myanmar. Australia acknowledges the difficulty of this work without the cooperation of the Myanmar regime.

Australia is deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar, as highlighted in the report and condemns ongoing human rights abuses by the regime. Humanitarian needs have surged, including in already conflict-affected and displaced communities such as the Rohingya in Rakhine State.

We acknowledge the ongoing work of UN agencies under difficult circumstances to assist the most vulnerable. Australia continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, including through UN partners. We support the Special Envoy’s call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to provide life-saving assistance.

Australia calls again for the de-escalation of violence, and for the Myanmar regime to cease arbitrary arrest and detention of civilians, to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, and to engage constructively with ASEAN and its Special Envoy to implement all aspects of the Five-Point Consensus swiftly and comprehensively.

The ongoing violence highlights the urgent need to intensify international coordination to restrict the flow of arms to Myanmar, which builds on our call in UNGA resolution 75/287.

We will continue to work closely with the UN, and ASEAN, to find options to de-escalate and resolve the crisis.

Australia asks: what are the key considerations for a new Special Envoy in taking your work forward?

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