Press Releases

1. The Seventh Japan-Myanmar Human Rights Dialogue was held on Friday, February 21st in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

2. The dialogue was led respectively by Mr. Osamu Yamanaka, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Policy Bureau, Ambassador in charge of UN affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. Soe Han, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

3. In the beginning of the dialogue, Mr. Yamanaka stated that Japan would continue to support Myanmar's own efforts to make progress in the improvement of the situation in Rakhine State and the return of displaced persons. In particular, with regards alleged human rights violations in Rakhine State, Mr. Yamanaka conveyed that Japan appreciated as significant progress the Myanmar Government's announcement of its position that it would conduct investigation and prosecution on any criminal acts, based on the report of the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICoE). Mr. Yamanaka also encouraged the Myanmar side to ensure that the Government and Military would promptly take necessary legal measures.

4. In return, Mr. Soe Han explained Myanmar’s own efforts towards peace, stability and reconciliation in Rakhine State, and reconfirmed the position expressed by the Government and Military to proceed with investigation and prosecution of the criminal acts, based on the recommendations of the ICoE. Mr. Soe Han also elaborated upon Myanmar’s efforts in the progress of repatriation of displaced persons.

5. The delegations also discussed Japan’s cooperation with Myanmar in the fields of the peace process in the ethnic minorities’ areas and of human rights in the international arena.