During the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Humanists International and Burmese Atheists delivered a statement on 17 July in solidarity with civilians in Myanmar. These civilians are facing persecution from both the military junta and the Arakan Army.
The statement was delivered by Humanists International’s Advocacy Officer, Leon Langdon, in an Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews. It was delivered by a representative of Humanists International rather than of Burmese Atheists due to concerns around safety and security, including the risk of reprisals for those currently in, or with family in, Myanmar.
Highlighted were the human rights abuses committed by various armed groups in the country. On the one hand, the military regime has continued its campaign of widespread arrest, torture, and abuse, as well as extrajudicial killings, of civilians. On the other hand, the Arakan Army, who are fighting against the military regime in Arakan State, are also reported to have destroyed civilian homes, and have been using worrying, dehumanizing rhetoric. The statement called for an independent investigation into potential war crimes by the Arakan Army.
Above all, Burmese Atheists and Humanists International expressed their solidarity with civilians of all faiths and none, and ethnicities, who have been targeted and victimized by all sides. According to the UN Resident Coordinator, over 5,000 people have been killed since the 2021 coup, and over 3 million displaced.
Below is the 17 July statement made by Humanists International and Burmese Atheists:
Mr. President,
I make this statement on behalf of Humanists International and “Burmese Atheists.” Burmese Atheists is a grassroots humanist organization, and I make this statement in their words, as they are in a fragile security situation.
We denounce the recent heinous and cruel acts carried out by the military regime in Myanmar, which include the arrest, mistreatment, and murder of defenseless, unarmed civilians around the country. The military and its allies from the Arakan Liberation Party are reported to have brutally arrested, tortured, and executed villagers, including women, children, and the elderly, according to the Arakan Army’s most recent statements. We extend our support beyond the Burmese and Rohingya communities. We also want to show our support for all the defenseless unarmed citizens in Burma, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. We condemn the fact that the military junta is allegedly closely collaborating with religious fundamentalist organisations like the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organisations.
Likewise, reports of alleged war crimes by the Arakan Army against the Rohingya people in Buthidaung and surrounding areas are deeply concerning. Reports have also stated that the Arakan Army have shot bullets to scare residents out of their homes, after which they stole and destroyed the buildings. We know of thousands of Rohingya who were forced to leave for their lives, including women, children, and the elderly. The xenophobic and ultranationalist statements made by the Arakan Army during recent interviews, where it was stated that Bengalis are descended from post-colonial immigrants is alarming, and this dehumanizing language is often a precursor to violence. We call for an official investigation into the alleged war crimes by the Arakan Army, as documented by international human rights organizations.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for his oral update and look forward to continuing to work closely with the mandate.
Reference: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/07/20/11932