Myanmar: UN expert warns of worsening rights situation
after “lockdown” in Rakhine State
GENEVA (18 November 2016) – A United Nations expert has
called on the Government of Myanmar to take immediate action to tackle the
deteriorating human rights situation in northern Rakhine State.
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in
Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, criticized the authorities for placing the region on
“lockdown” for six weeks. She said a Government-led two-day visit to the area
in early November by a UN official and nine ambassadors had produced only
limited results in terms of addressing the humanitarian crisis.
Ms. Lee expressed particular concern at reports from the
area that the security operation had been stepped up since the international
delegation conducted its visit.
"The Government has now admitted using helicopter
gunships in support of ground troops, and there are unverified claims of
reprisals against villagers who had shared their grievances with the
delegation," said Ms. Lee.
"The security forces must not be given carte blanche
to step up their operations under the smokescreen of having allowed access to
an international delegation. Urgent action is needed to bring resolution to the
situation."
Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes amid a
security operation triggered by armed attacks on border posts in October.
Residents, including members of the Rohingya minority and other Muslim
communities, are reported to have suffered serious human rights violations
including torture, rape and sexual assault, summary executions, and the
destruction of mosques and homes.
Humanitarian programmes providing health, food, education
and nutrition assistance have been suspended and civilians are reported to be
caught up in military action including attacks by helicopter gunships.
Ms. Lee said allegations of human rights abuses,
including the alleged rape and sexual assault of women and girls, needed to be
investigated.
"State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has recently
stated that the Government is responding to the situation based on the
principle of the rule of law. Yet I am unaware of any efforts on the part of
the Government to look into the allegations of human rights violations,"
said Ms. Lee.
"It would appear, on the contrary, that the
Government has mostly responded with a blanket denial. This begs the question
as to whether relevant evidence is being preserved to enable perpetrators to be
held to account for their wrongdoings. Pointing fingers without definitive
answers should be avoided. However, it is crucial to recognize the issue at
hand - as objectively as possible - and immediately embark on a transparent,
non-partial, independent investigation."
“It is not acceptable that for six weeks there was a
complete lockdown, with no access to the affected areas," she added.
Ms. Lee echoed a statement by the Chair of the Rakhine
Advisory Commission, Kofi Annan, for all communities to renounce violence and
for security services to act in full compliance with the rule of law.
She expressed hope that even before the Commission
publishes a report next year, the Government would start taking interim
measures in line with past recommendations to prevent further restrictions and
violations of human rights suffered by the Rohingya population as well as other
religious and ethnic minorities.
A group of UN human rights experts* has already urged the
Government to address the growing reports of violations emerging from Rakhine,
calling on the authorities to allow access for humanitarian groups; to conduct
thorough and impartial investigations of killings; and to implement concerted
efforts to fight and prevent acts of incitement to discrimination, hostility
and violence against minorities.
Ms. Lee stressed that the need for urgent action was
undiminished.
“In my address to the General Assembly last month, I
reiterated the need for humanitarian access to resume as soon as possible so
that the needs of those affected and displaced are met, particularly the most
vulnerable,” she said.
“Also of vital importance is for impartial and
independent investigations to be undertaken to address the allegations of
serious human rights violations, with their perpetrators held to account.”
ENDS
*Read the previous statement from the group of UN
experts: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=20742&LangID=E
The UN Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as
the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the
largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights, is the general name
of the independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights
Council that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in
all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis;
they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are
independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual
capacity. For more information, log on to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Welcomepage.aspx
UN Human Rights, country page – Myanmar:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/MMIndex.aspx
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