1. Based on the allegations of sexual violence that reportedly occurred in northern Rakhine State in 2017, Myanmar has been listed in the annexe of the annual report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Conflict-re­lated sexual violence since 2018. With the aim of delisting Myanmar from the annexe of the said report, the Joint Communiqué on Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence was signed between Myan­mar and the United Nations on 7 December 2018. Then, the National Committee on Pre­vention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence was established on 26 March 2019. Since Myanmar remains committed to pre­venting conflict-related sexual violence, the State Administration Council reconstituted the National Committee on Prevention and Response to Con­flict-related Sexual Violence on 31 March 2021.
2. The drafting process of the National Action Plan on Prevention and Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence was initiated in 2019 and nine National Committee meetings were organized for that purpose. The representatives from UN agencies and the Office of Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict participated in the 3rd and 5th National Committee meetings. The National Action Plan on Prevention and Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence was adopted in June 2021. The elements contained in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2106, the priorities laid down in the Joint Communiqué, and the inputs provided by the Special Representative were appropriately incorporated in the National Action Plan. The National Action Plan was set for the period of one year from 10 November 2021 to 10 November 2022 and it has been implemented for the second quarter.
3. Myanmar shared its National Action Plan with the Office of Special Representative of the Sec­retary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict on 5 November 2021. In addition, Myanmar further updated on the progress of the implementation of the Action Plan with the Office on 4 July 2022 and has been maintaining its cooperation with the United Nations.
4. However, it is disappointing to note that Myanmar was again listed in the annexe of the report of the United Nations Secretary-General on conflict-re­lated Sexual Violence which was released on 29 March 2022. The annual open debate on the report was held at the United Nations Security Council on 13 April 2022. It is the universally accepted principle to fairly reflect the response made by the Government whenever the United Nations makes allegations against a country. Instead, the report excluded the information shared by the Government in addition to the failure of the Office to verify the alleged cases contained in the report with the concerned country.
5. Although the report made unfounded allegations against the members of the armed forces, it did not include place, date and time or any other ver­ifiable information of alleged incidents. The fact clearly proves that the report itself is not credible while it more attempts to discredit Myanmar on political grounds.
6. It is for the military personnel to abide by the military laws, orders and directives in addition to the domestic laws. If a military person is found to have committed sexual violence, the Tatmadaw takes punitive measures including maximum sentences against the perpetrator. For instance, it was found out that a soldier committed rape against a woman in Phakhet village in Kutkai Township in northern Shan State and the case was tried in open court in a transparent manner as per zero tolerance against sexual violence. The case was already informed to the public in November 2021.
7. Since 29 November 2016, 24-hour Helplines to receive sexual violence complaints have been established and special attention has been given to keeping the victim’s information confidential. Well-trained case managers meet with survivors and served as a referral mechanism for necessary psycho-social, security, health and legal support, livelihood, and capacity rebuilding. Moreover, online communication channels such as Viber and a Helpline-DSW Facebook Page were set up on 5 January 2022 to lodge complaints and it has been announced through newspapers, Television and radio.
8. Based on the specific situation of survivors, One Stop Women Support Centres (OSWSCs) have been established in six States and Regions across the country to provide special care. In response to resolving the sexual violence cases, the Gov­ernment provides travel expenses for litigation and financial support for the livelihood and reha­bilitation of survivors based on their needs.
9. Efforts to prevent conflict-related sexual violence will be further strengthened in cooperation with the relevant ministries and organizations and the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myan­mar will take serious action against perpetrators in accordance with the zero-tolerance policy.

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