29 November 2016
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location:
Geneva
Subject: (1)
Myanmar
(2)
Mosul
(3)
Syria
(1) Myanmar
Since the attacks, on 9 October, on three Border Guard
police posts in Maungdaw and Rathidaung in northern Rakhine State, the UN Human
Rights Office has received reports of serious human rights violations during
security operations.
The High Commissioner is alarmed by these reports, which
include allegations of extrajudicial killings, mass destruction of civilian
infrastructure, arbitrary arrests and sexual violence, as well as a renewed
spike in hate speech, including on social media. The Government needs to
condemn such inflammatory – potentially very dangerous – rhetoric no matter who
is responsible. Failing this, there is a real risk that it could exacerbate the
current spiral of violence.
The High Commissioner unequivocally condemns the reported
use of violence by armed individuals in northern Rakhine State, and recognizes
that this is not something the authorities can ignore. However, it is essential
that the Government ensures its attempts to restore security are firmly
grounded in international human rights laws and standards, and that this is
recognized by the affected population.
Offensives in Kachin and Northern Shan State also
continue to cause human rights violations and displacement. Protection of
civilians and unfettered humanitarian access to conflict affected areas is
critical. Measures that may heighten the vulnerability or pose threats to the
safety and security of internally displaced people – such as requiring IDPs to
cross conflict lines – must be avoided. The authorities must ensure respect for
international humanitarian law and the rights of internally displaced people.
Continued failure to do so will draw a sharp response from the international
community.
The High Commissioner also regrets that, beyond the
formation of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State led by Kofi Annan, the
Government has largely failed to act on the recommendations made in a report by
the UN Human Rights Office in June this year on the situation of Rohingya
Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar*. The report documented a wide range of
human rights violations and abuses against the Rohingya, including arbitrary
deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats
to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour,
sexual violence, and limitations to their political rights, among others. The
report raised the possibility that the pattern of violations against the
Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity.
(2) Mosul
We continue to receive reports of serious breaches of
international human rights and international humanitarian law by ISIL in and
around Mosul. ISIL has been installing rocket launchers and placing snipers on
the rooftops of civilian houses. Those who refuse to allow their houses to be
used in this way are threatened or killed. On 11 November, ISIL reportedly shot
and killed 12 civilians in Bakir neighbourhood in eastern Mosul city for
allegedly refusing to allow ISIL to install and launch rockets from the
rooftops of their houses. These families are effectively used as human shields,
placed squarely in harm’s way, caught between ISIL and Iraqi Security Force
fire responding to rocket and sniper attacks.
We are also deeply worried about the fate of hundreds of
people who have reportedly being abducted by ISIL and moved to unknown
locations. ISIL is also continuing to abduct and forcibly move civilians, and
to kill those it suspects of leaking information to the ISF. Reports suggest
that on 25 November, ISIL publicly shot to death 27 civilians in Muhandiseen
Park in northern Mosul city. There have also been reports of ISIL shooting at
fleeing civilians, including one report from 22 November of an ISIL sniper
killing a seven-year-old child who was running towards the ISF in Adan
neighbourhood in eastern Mosul.
(3) Syria
We are concerned about the well-being of civilians
currently caught up in the fighting in Aleppo. Tens of thousands remain trapped
in opposition-controlled areas and are living under constant bombardment.
Others are at risk while attempting to flee the fighting. Adding to the dangers
associated with attempting to flee across an active front-line, we have
received reports that opposition groups are preventing civilians from leaving
areas under their control. There are also concerns that upon reaching
Government-controlled or Kurdish-controlled areas, civilians perceived to have
links or connections with armed opposition groups may be detained. Under Syrian
law the provision of support to groups classified by the Government as
"terrorists" is a criminal offence, and the definition of what
constitutes such support has in the past been used to punish peaceful activists
and family members.
We call on all parties to the conflict to adhere to and
respect international humanitarian law. Pro-Government and Kurdish Forces must
ensure that civilians fleeing the fighting are afforded every protection and
are not subjected to acts of retribution due to their perceived support or
affiliation to opposition groups.
We call on armed opposition groups to adhere to their
obligation to allow civilians who wish to flee areas under their control to do
so. Any measures taken to prevent them from doing so -unless justified by a
need to protect the safety of civilians - are prohibited under international
law.
ENDS
*To read the report by the UN Human Rights Office in June
this year on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar,
visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session32/Pages/ListReports.aspx#sthash.MkqLBSVp.dpuf
For more information and media requests, please contact
Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org) or Ravina Shamdasani
(+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org ) or Liz Throssell ( +41 22 917 9466/ ethrossell@ohchr.org )
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