Mr. President,

Albania thanks the High Commissioner for his oral update on the human rights situation in Myanmar.

Albania is deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar, which has continued to deteriorate, particularly since the military coup on February 1, 2021. The crisis is massive, with an estimated 1.5 million internally displaced people, approximately 60,000 civilian structures burnt or destroyed, and over 17.6 million people requiring humanitarian assistance.

The Myanmar military has carried out a brutal nationwide repression which included mass killings, arbitrary arrests of more than 16000 pro-democracy supporters, torture and sexual violence, and restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. They continue to undertake indiscriminate air attacks on schools, hospitals, and places of worship, to suppress, intimidate, and demoralize the civilian population. Albania has always vigorously condemned the assault against civilians, against all international humanitarian rules.

Albania is deeply concerned over the grave human rights violations and abuses against Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar as they continue to face systematic discrimination.

We urge Myanmar to acknowledge the Rohingya as an ethnic minority and resolve their citizenship status, creating conditions for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the Rohingya and other displaced persons. 

I thank you.