The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, in the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.
“We remain deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence and by the dire political, economic, human rights and humanitarian crisis in which Myanmar has been plunged for more than three years”, Ambassador Grassi stated, deploring the attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. He particularly highlighted that 2.6 million people are displaced and more than 18 million require humanitarian aid, recalling the impact of the mandatory conscription.
Ambassador Grassi then urged the military regime to fully respect human rights, including freedoms of expression, assembly and association, and to end systematic discrimination against the Rohingya and other religious and ethnic minorities. He also called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained, unhindered humanitarian access and space for inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders.
Furthermore, Ambassador Grassi encouraged ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the crisis and the implementation of the “Five-Point Consensus”, and called for the timely appointment of a UN Special Envoy and a Resident Coordinator. He finally confirmed Italy’s support for the work of the Special Rapporteur, of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office, as well as of the Independent Investigative Mechanism.
“We continue to stand in solidarity with the people in Myanmar and are committed to a future of peace, freedom and democracy in the country”, Ambassador Grassi concluded.
