Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Statement No. (11/2023)

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Statement No. (11/2023)

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission/ location / October 15, 2023

1. The Myanmar citizens were unable to fully enjoy a stable and peaceful state due to the armed conflicts that emerged following Myanmar’s independence, the successive Governments of Myanmar made concerted efforts to attain peace but they were unable to reach this objective. On 15 October 2015, the Government signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with eight ethnic armed organizations. The agreement was signed in the presence of representatives from both local and foreign organizations, including the United Nations, who participated as witnesses. Countries around the world also welcomed and offered their support. All these together with the approval of the NCA by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw marked a significant milestone in Myanmar's history. Today, on 15 October 2023, the NCA celebrates its 8th anniversary.

2. The “Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace” through Resolution No. 39/11 of the United Nations General Assembly affirms that “…Recognizing that the maintenance of a peaceful life for peoples is the sacred duty of each State, solemnly proclaims that the peoples of our planet have a sacred right to peace…”. Furthermore, Article 38 of the ASEAN Declaration on Human Rights also states that all people and individuals in ASEAN countries have the right to enjoy peace.

3. The protection and promotion of human rights contributes to the establishment and maintenance of peace and peace is indispensable for the full enjoyment of human rights. It is only when armed conflicts end and genuine peace prevails that the well-being of all citizens can be fully realized.

4. The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission hopes that the successful implementation of the NCA process to ensure state stability and equality for all ethnic peoples will be a significant step forward for emergence of the Union based on democracy and federal system as desired by all the people of Myanmar and the Commission congratulates the 8th anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

Date: 15 October 2023