[Delivered by Canada]

Mr. Chair, I deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, New Zealand and my own country, Canada. We once again join the international community in condemning ongoing human rights and humanitarian law violations and abuses in Myanmar.

We are pleased to have co-sponsored and joined consensus on this important resolution. The international community is witnessing worsening violence and armed conflict in Myanmar since the Myanmar regime’s 2021 coup d’état, in which it deposed the democratically elected civilian government. We remain deeply concerned about the escalation of violence and violations on the part of the regime, including curtailment of human rights and freedoms, attacks on and recent executions of pro-democracy activists, reports of violations of international law, and attacks against civilians – with implications for security and stability in both Myanmar and the region, and diminished prospects for safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified returns of Rohingya refugees.

This resolution acknowledges that the Rohingya crisis and the February 2021 coup are inextricably interlinked crises that stem from the same root causes. As such, we strongly support the reiteration of the international community’s commitment to ending the impunity of the Myanmar military, promoting accountability for the gravest crimes under international law, and working towards the realization of justice.

We remain deeply concerned by the impact of the coup and ensuing violence against civilians and minority groups, including the Rohingya and incidents of conflict-related sexual violence targeting women and girls.

The escalating attacks on civilians, including attacks by air and with heavy weaponry, are deplorable. The supply of weapons to Myanmar is linked to and enabling the escalating conflict and human rights violations since the coup. As called for in UNGA Resolution 75/287, we call on all Member States to prevent the sale and transfer of arms, military equipment, materiel, dual-use equipment, and technical assistance to Myanmar. We are disappointed that these elements were not retained this year.

We reiterate our support for ASEAN’s resolute efforts to support a peaceful resolution in the interests of the people of Myanmar through the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. We call on the military regime to engage meaningfully with ASEAN and for full and timely implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. UN efforts, including this resolution and ongoing work on the part of the UN Security Council, are examples of approaches that seek to address the situation in Myanmar in a manner that complements and reinforces ASEAN’s own efforts.

To conclude, Mr. Chair, we call on the Myanmar military regime to cease violence immediately, release those detained and for full and unhindered humanitarian access. Delegations and Canada stand with the people of Myanmar and their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Myanmar.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.