43rd session of the Human Rights Council. Statement delivered by Ambassador Mikael Anzén.
Madam Vice-President,
Sweden aligns itself with the statement by the EU. Let me warmly thank Special Rapporteur Lee for her important work.
The intensifying conflict in Rakhine is deeply worrying, and further aggrevated by internet shutdowns and blockage of aid. The increasing number of new IDPs is alarming. The conflicts and systematic human rights violations in Rakhine as well as Shan and Kachin continue to mainly affect civilians.
This is unacceptable. International humanitarian and human rights law must be fully respected, and humanitarian access guaranteed.
The systematic discrimination of the Rohingya population must end. Root causes should be addressed, including freedom of movement and citizenship. Active steps are needed to create conditions for repatriation, based on principles of voluntary, safe and dignified return.
Sweden welcomes recent international efforts for accountability, including at the ICJ and the ICC. Impunity cannot prevail. We expect the provisional measures indicated by the ICJ to be fully implemented by Myanmar.
The upcoming election will be a litmus test on the democratic transition. Incitement to hatred continues to be spread on- and offline. Ms Lee, what do you recommend the Human Rights Council and states to take to ensure the respect for freedom of expression in this context?
I thank you