Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the Arria-formula meeting on Myanmar

Thank you very much Chair,

I wish to begin by thanking the UK for convening this meeting and to UNICEF for providing a briefing. I also wish to join others in expressing our satisfaction that the Special Envoy has been appointed. She has our full support.

We remain deeply concerned about the continued escalation of conflict in Myanmar, including of renewed violence in Rakhine State, where civilians are facing devastating violence, rising intercommunal tensions and forced recruitment by parties to the conflict.

We welcome the focus of the meeting on the impact of conflict on children and youth who bear the brunt of the conflict. In this regard, we would like to make the following remarks.

Like elsewhere children and youth are most vulnerable victims of violence in Myanmar. Many are being killed, maimed or injured as a result of armed clashes, airstrikes and artillery shelling of civilian areas, and the widespread contamination with landmines. They face sexual and gender-based violence, including gang rapes and forced, early and child marriage.

Slovenia is extremely alarmed by the reports of continued abductions, recruitment and use of children by various parties to the conflict. We call on all parties not just to respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law but also to act humanely and immediately cease the deplorable activities.

We are also concerned about the reports of forcible detention and recruitment of youth, including Rohingya, and the potential impact of forced conscription legislation on human rights and the social fabric. These circumstances are forcing many young people to flee from urban to rural and conflict areas; many fleeing abroad. They are at risk of abuse by smugglers.

Furthermore, escalating conflict has significantly worsened the access to health services, leaving children and youth, especially those with disabilities, particularly vulnerable. With inadequate access to routine vaccinations, increased displacement and limited access to safe water and sanitation, many children are at risk of infectious and preventable diseases. Many children are in need of psychosocial support as well as rehabilitation services. Displaced young women and girls face additional challenges due to the limit access to hygiene products.

The compound effect of violence and extreme climate patterns in Myanmar are driving one of the worst humanitarian situation in recent history with a sharp increase in food insecurity. Slovenia is very worried about the food crisis, which is now affecting one in five people and leading to acute malnutrition of children. We are also concerned that children protection efforts suffer because of impeded provision of humanitarian assistance.

Additionally, we are alarmed by the impacts this conflict has on access to education. We have seen in the short film before we started the meeting how important the access to education is for these children. There is a need for immediate establishment of safe learning spaces to prevent and reduce school dropouts. School facilities should never be used by the military or targeted by the military. Education has the greatest potential to support children and youth to act as agents of change. We believe that the support to education system in Myanmar should also entail education in the field of human rights, inclusivity and democracy. This way the youth could be empowered to build a democratic and free society for all.

Mr. Chair,

With situation in Myanmar deteriorating every day, we urge all parties to stop the fighting, protect civilians and respect their rights, allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian access, and comply fully and unconditionally with international law, including the measures ordered by the International Court of Justice. We call for cessation of misinformation and hate speech that incites further inter-communal tensions and cycle of violence.

Slovenia strongly believes Security Council should and must step up its efforts to address conflict in Myanmar and bring a brighter future for the people of Myanmar, most importantly for children and youth.

I thank you.

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