The 71st Anniversary of International Human Rights Day – Press Statement

Organizing Committee (Yangon)
December 10, 2019

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It is an important milestone in the history of human rights, as it established a universal standard of 30 rights and freedoms that belong to all people of all nations. The UN General Assembly proclaimed December 10 as International Human Rights Day in honor of the adoption of the Declaration. Globally, human rights events are celebrated by nations in honor of the equal rights of human beings in the world.

The theme for 2019 is “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights”. It aims to highlight the essential role and power of youth in respecting, protecting and promoting human rights. It also means encouraging young people to become actively involved in claiming equal rights. It urges young people to respect human rights and bravely stand up for human rights. Their engagement is essential for eradicating violence and discrimination in the future. Therefore, we should seek to recognize the bravery and innovative ideas of the youth, and support their development as human rights leaders. Because one day they will be society’s leaders, and they will stand up for the human rights of all.

It is the duty of every state as well as every human being to understand diversity, to respect, protect and promote human rights culture. Unfortunately, humankind has still been experiencing human rights violations, violence, and discrimination. Now, in Myanmar, we can see that society has a long way to go for all people to be able to enjoy human rights because of problems such as discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and disability, the fact that repressive laws continue to hinder the implementation of basic human rights, and the continued impunity of perpetrators of human rights violations.  

Therefore, we call on the Government of Myanmar to truly respect and protect human rights and implement the following actions as soon as possible:

(1) Stop the civil war and human rights abuses in ethnic areas and bring peace as soon as possible

(2) in terms of human rights violation, to take effective actions on the responsible persons in accordance with domestic laws and international human rights standards

(3) undertake a powerful and preventive judicial reform that addresses the human rights issues faced by the public

(4) end repression of human rights defenders and immediately withdraw their cases

(5) implement necessary policies including the anti-discrimination law, to ensure respect for the rights of minorities

(6) reform the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission into more powerful and more independent organization

(7) immediately ratify international human rights treaties, especially International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture (CAT)

(8) integrate human rights education into the curriculum and work with civil society organizations in the community.

U Aung Myo Min (Equality Myanmar – Executive Director) – 094 4801 5306

U Nyi Nyi Aung (Local Resource Centre – Programme Director) – 09 540 2565

 Ma Yin Myo Hlaing (Burmese Women’s Union – Joint Secretary-1)-09 250 40691

U Aung Zaw Oo (HRDP –Communication and Advocacy Director)- 094 210 39493