The European Union, in a general comment delivered at the UN Human Rights Council's 62nd session on 6 July 2026, expressed regret that a draft resolution on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar does not include language on halting arms transfers to the country, despite repeated calls by the UN High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur. The EU also noted that the resolution could have more clearly attributed responsibility to the Myanmar military for the overwhelming majority of human rights violations and abuses, and could have better reflected that conditions for the safe return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh are not yet in place.
The EU statement, delivered on behalf of EU member states that are members of the Council, thanked the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for presenting the resolution (L.20) and acknowledged improvements in this year's text. However, the EU pointed out that the resolution does not address arms transfers, which the bloc considers a key measure to curb violence. The EU also highlighted that air strikes by the Myanmar military remain the single largest cause of destruction and suffering, as reported by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and that recent elections held by the military were neither free nor fair and only intensified violence.
The EU recognized and supported Bangladesh's efforts in accommodating over one million Rohingya refugees, but stressed that conditions for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar—including unfettered humanitarian access to Rakhine State and meaningful progress in addressing root causes—are not in place. The EU welcomed the OIC's constructive approach in negotiations and efforts towards rationalizing the Council's work on Myanmar while ensuring it remains a priority. Despite its reservations, the EU indicated it could join consensus on the resolution.
the Myanmar military faces renewed international criticism but no new concrete measures; Rohingya and other minorities receive continued rhetorical support but limited tangible action; Bangladesh, hosting over a million refugees, sees its efforts acknowledged but no additional commitments for repatriation; and EU member states maintain a unified diplomatic stance but fall short of securing stronger language on arms embargoes.