Myanmar Foreign Ministry issues press statement on FFM’s report

Following is the press statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday regarding the report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission- FFM on Myanmar issued on 5 August.

Myanmar opposed the establishment of Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) by the Human Rights Council as it was based on unfounded allegations. We have made our position abundantly clear and we do not recognize the report of the FFM. We adhere firmly to the position that cooperation should be the basis for the resolution of international issues, including that of human rights. We do not believe that economic sanctions will resolve the challenges that need to be overcome.

It is also our principled position that there must be accountability for human rights violations. The Government of Myanmar is addressing the issue of accountability in Rakhine by setting up the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICoE).

The Myanmar Armed Forces has also established its own Commission of Enquiry to address the allegation of human rights violations in northern Rakhine. Thus Myanmar already has in place its national accountability mechanism. We oppose mechanisms that are set up without allowing for national remedies to be exhausted.

In setting up the FFM, the Human Rights Council exceeded its mandate and contravened the terms and practices of International Law. We do not recognize either the Fact-Finding Mission or the report that it produced. The Government of Myanmar categorically rejects the latest report and its conclusions. We regard the report as an action intended to harm the interests of Myanmar and its people, and we do not believe that such an action contributes in any way to the resolution of the challenges that the nation faces in Rakhine State.

We believe that it is through the promotion of rule of law and sustainable development that the challenges in Rakhine will be resolved. Our immediate aim is to concentrate on building social cohesion and creating a secure, prosperous environment where the people of Rakhine can live in peace and harmony.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nay Pyi Taw

6th August 2019