Connect with us

Civil Society

GANHRI revokes Myanmar human rights commission’s accreditation over junta alignment

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Commission (GANHRI) has revoked the accreditation of Myanmar’s human rights body due to its alignment with the junta. Civil society groups have hailed the decision as a step towards accountability and urged other regional networks to follow suit.

Published

on

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Commission (GANHRI) has formally revoked the accreditation and membership of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), citing its failure to meet the Paris Principles, which govern the standards of credible and independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

This decision was finalised during GANHRI’s October 2024 session, following an earlier recommendation by its Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) in 2023.

The SCA noted that the MNHRC has failed to operate independently and has aligned itself with Myanmar’s military junta since the 2021 coup. The junta has been accused of killing over 6,000 people, with the MNHRC maintaining silence and, at times, endorsing the junta’s actions.

Despite appealing the decision, the MNHRC was unable to secure sufficient support to reverse GANHRI’s ruling.

Civil society organisations, including the CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar) and the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), have welcomed GANHRI’s decision.

They have called for other human rights networks, such as the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) and the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institution Forum (SEANF), to follow GANHRI’s example and remove the MNHRC from their platforms.

Civil society voices support

Khin Ohmar, Chairperson of Progressive Voice and a member of the Working Group, stated, “We welcome GANHRI’s principled decision to finally remove the junta-controlled MNHRC from its global network. The decision affirms to the Myanmar people that GANHRI does not condone the MNHRC’s flagrant non-compliance with the Paris Principles.”

Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA, which serves as the Secretariat of ANNI, highlighted the broader implications of GANHRI’s ruling. “This landmark decision is a victory for civil society. It is the right step toward accountability and justice in Myanmar, serving as an inspiration for more wins in the advocacy for stronger NHRIs across the region,” she said.

Bo Bo, Executive Director of Generation Wave and a Working Group member, described the decision as a significant moment for the people of Myanmar. “This decision provides a ray of hope for the people of Myanmar who have been suffering from the junta’s campaign of terror. Going forward, we believe that GANHRI will lend support to us in our efforts to establish a new independent human rights commission that is in line with the Paris Principles.”

GANHRI’s standards and impact

The Paris Principles, established by the United Nations in 1993, require NHRIs to be independent, impartial, and effective in their roles. GANHRI’s move underscores its commitment to these standards and signals that human rights commissions must act independently of oppressive regimes to maintain credibility.

The decision to revoke MNHRC’s accreditation reflects four years of sustained advocacy by the Working Group, ANNI, and their regional and international allies. These organisations consistently highlighted MNHRC’s complicity in promoting the junta’s narrative, undermining its credibility as a human rights institution.

Next steps for accountability

Activists and civil society groups are urging APF and SEANF to immediately sever ties with the MNHRC. These networks play a crucial role in fostering regional collaboration among human rights institutions, and their actions could further isolate the MNHRC and the junta it represents.

Khin Ohmar stressed that alignment with GANHRI’s decision would demonstrate a commitment to principled human rights advocacy. “Without further delay, APF and SEANF must demonstrate the same principle and spirit, aligning themselves with GANHRI’s decision and removing the MNHRC from their respective human rights networks,” she urged.

The removal of the MNHRC from GANHRI’s network is seen as a pivotal step in advancing accountability and justice for Myanmar’s people. Civil society groups remain optimistic that this development will strengthen efforts to rebuild a credible and independent human rights institution in the future.

Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Trending