Statement delivered by Ms. Neishanta Benn, Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on Myanmar

Thank you, Chair,

Guyana thanks the United Kingdom for organizing today’s Arria Formula meeting and thanks Director Lucia Elmi for her insightful contribution to today’s discussion. We also take this opportunity to welcome the Secretary General’s appointment of Ms. Julie Bishop as his Special Envoy on Myanmar and offer our full support for her mandate.  

Chair,

Guyana joins in expressing our grave concern about the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and the deteriorating humanitarian situation that is severely impacting its children and youth.  

We note from OCHA’s latest reports that children in Myanmar are bearing the brunt of the conflict - facing disruption to their education, arbitrary imprisonment, sexual violence and abuse and forced recruitment. Many are also reportedly being used as human shields in armed clashes in the country.   

Even more alarming is the long-term impacts that these will have on their future growth and development.  We also note that food insecurity in Myanmar is increasing the risk of malnutrition among children and pregnant women and that this development is exacerbated by restrictions imposed on humanitarian access.  

According to UNICEF's latest reports, children in Myanmar are facing interrupted healthcare and malnutrition, with up to 150 of those under 5 dying each day. Nearly 30% are suffering from moderate or severe malnutrition. Many have also been arbitrarily detained without access to legal counsel and are forced to join armed groups as fighters, cooks, porters, and spies, and are also subjected to sexual abuse. These experiences will have long-term consequences for their mental health and wellbeing, and may permanently harm their psychological wellbeing and future prospects.  

Guyana demands an immediate end to these abhorrent and illegal acts against children and calls for full respect for, and protection of, their basic human rights. We also demand that humanitarian workers in Myanmar be granted rapid, safe, full, and unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected areas including Rakhine State.

Madam Chair,

The reported cases of forced recruitment of children by the Rohingya armed groups in refugee camps in southern Bangladesh, as highlighted in the recent report of the Human Rights Council are deeply troubling. We call on the relevant authorities in Bangladesh to ensure that all refugees on their territory are protected from harm, especially children and youth.  

Guyana strongly condemns the forced recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups. Such actions are clear violations of international law including international humanitarian law and children’s rights. We demand that they end immediately and for the parties to the conflict to comply fully with their obligations under IHL.  

Madam Chair,

Despite this very bleak picture, we do note that there have been some positive developments. In particular, we commend the significant efforts being made to build capacity in Myanmar and to strengthen young people’s meaningful engagement in the peace processes.  

Guyana urges the international community to contribute positively to these efforts and calls upon all parties to the conflict in Myanmar to respect and fully comply with their obligations under international law. We further call for full compliance with resolution 2669 (2022) and for the rapid implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.  

I thank you.