Human rights are a key pillar of the United Nations Charter. Since the UN’s establishment in 1945, promoting and encouraging respect for human rights for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion, has been a fundamental purpose of the organization. Promoting and protecting human rights is at the core of the UN’s mandate.
Since Governments have the primary responsibility to protect human rights, the UN works closely with the Government of Myanmar to support it to meet its international human rights obligations. The UN System in Myanmar, including UN agencies, funds and programmes, engages with the Government to address human rights in a broad range of areas and activities.
The UN in Myanmar also supports the right to development, recognizing that a human rights based approach to all development activities is the foundation of effective and sustainable development results. In September 2015, all UN Member States, including Myanmar, adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight that only by promoting and protecting human rights, especially those of persons who suffer from discrimination, deprivation, and violence, can we achieve a sustainable, peaceful and prosperous world where all human beings can live with dignity.
While Myanmar is a party to some human rights treaties, including those addressing the rights of children, women and persons with disabilities, ratification of the remaining core treaties is an important step toward strengthening the human rights protection of everyone in Myanmar. The United Nations in Myanmar remains committed to supporting the Government and the people of Myanmar to achieve their human rights goals.
For further information on human rights, please visit the OHCHR website.