On 13 March 2026, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) delivered a statement at the 61st session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar. The statement reiterated condemnation of the undemocratic election in Myanmar and urged states and intergovernmental organisations to reject the election’s outcome, push for a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar’s military, and refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. Read the statement below.
13 March 2026. UN Human Rights Council – 61st session
Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
Mister President,
FIDH and its members ALTSEAN-Burma, Women’s Peace Network, and Info Birmanie are deeply grateful to Special Rapporteur Andrews for his important work in the past six years. We encourage his successor to continue the mandate’s efforts to stop the flow of weapons and finances to Myanmar’s junta.
The recent undemocratic polls, designed to legitimise and cement military rule in Myanmar, have not reduced conflict or war crimes. In February 2026 alone, there were 849 armed attacks including 224 airstrikes that killed 192 civilians in 169 townships. Young men and women continue to be forcibly recruited as cannon fodder for Min Aung Hlaing’s war against the people of Myanmar. There are still more than 22,000 political prisoners. The recent amnesty freed only a small number of political prisoners and is Min Aung Hlaing’s latest cynical ploy in his quest for international legitimacy.
The safe, dignified return of Rohingya refugees from the camps in Bangladesh is still impossible. The recent proceedings at the International Court of Justice took place during a second wave of genocide.
No one should be tempted to engage with the military and its puppet institutions including its legislatures and judiciary, which implement its repressive policies.
States and intergovernmental organisations must condemn the recent sham election and reject its outcome. They must push for a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar’s military and a referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.
Thank you.
