UN Human Rights Council, 39th session. Sweden's statement delivered by H.E. Swedish Permanent Representative Veronika Bard.
Thank you, Mr Chairman/Chairperson
Sweden fully aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union.
First, we would like to thank the members of the mission, (Mr. Marzuki Daruzman, Mrs. Rashika Coomaraswamy and Mr. Christopher Sidoti) for their outstanding work in collecting information under difficult circumstances and for putting this report together.
The Fact-Finding Mission’s report represents a breaking point – we now have a UN mandated body presenting solid and credible evidence of the gravity of the atrocities committed. The Rohingya population in particular, but also other groups in Rakhine State of Myanmar, have been subjected to systematic and widespread human rights violation. And, international humanitarian law has been violated in Kachin and Shan States. Many of these violations undoubtedly amount to the gravest crimes under international law.
The responsibility falls heavily on the Myanmar Military. Sweden in particular note the FFM’s conclusion that investigation and prosecution by a competent court is warranted for senior official’s liability for genocide in Rakhine State.
With facts now having been established, the international community must shoulder its responsibility and act on accountability.
As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council member, Sweden has repeatedly called for the Security Council to consider a referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, which the Fact-Finding Mission also calls for as the preferred course of action. This would be the most robust means of achieving accountability.
Until the Security Council acts, this council must follow up on the Fact-Finding Missions recommendation to establish an independent and efficient accountability mechanism that will support and lay the foundation for future criminal proceedings. We urge members of this council to give support to the EU-initiated resolution towards this end, and that the mandate of the fact-finding mission is extended until such a mechanism is established.
Thank you.
