The 60th Session of the Human Rights Council, Item 2: Enhanced interactive dialogue on report of the High Commissioner and Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, Statement by Ms. ASANO Yuko (8 September 2025)

　Thank you, Mr. President.
　Mr. High Commissioner and Mr. Koumjian, we thank you for your reports.
 
　Four and a half years after the coup in February 2021, the human rights situation in Myanmar remains dire, with people suffering intolerable violence, including ongoing airstrikes, and many still detained. Crimes in detention facilities such as torture and sexual violence continue to be reported. Japan is gravely concerned by and deplores the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Myanmar.
 
　Myanmar’s current regime lifted the state of emergency and announced plans to hold general elections between December 2025 and January 2026. We assert that these elections should serve as a step toward restoring a democratic political system. If general elections are held without any visible progress in this regard, it could provoke strong backlash from the people of Myanmar and hinder a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
 
　Japan once again strongly urges the Myanmar military to take concrete actions to: (1) immediately stop the violence; (2) release those detained; and (3) swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system.
 
　We continue to stand with the people of Myanmar and provide various types of support to improve the humanitarian situation and enhance the livelihoods of the people of Myanmar.
 
　I thank you.