On 6 October, 2017 Myanmar became the 165th State Party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
By ratifying ICESCR, Myanmar has legally committed to implementing and making the right to education for all a reality (Articles 13 and 14). ICESCR also contains a provision requiring states to guarantee economic and social rights without distinction as to race, religion, or national or social origin (Article 2 (1)).
In a declaration following ratification, the Myanmar government stated:
‘With reference to article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar declares that, in consistence with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993, the term “the right of self-determination” appearing in this article does not apply to any section of people within a sovereign independent state and cannot be construed as authorizing or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of a sovereign and independent state. In addition, the term shall not be applied to undermine Section 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 2008.’
To check the ratification status of the ICESCR, including reservations and declarations, see UN Treaty Collection: ICESCR.