Myanmar: UN rights expert
launches new official visit to assess recent developments in the country
GENEVA (6 January 2017) – The United Nations Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, will
undertake her fifth information-gathering visit to the country from 9 to 20
January.
Ms. Lee plans to visit Kachin State (Myitkyina, Hpakant and
Laiza) as well as Rakhine State (Sittwe, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw),
in addition to Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon in order to assess recent developments.
“The events of the last few months have shown that the
international community must remain vigilant in monitoring the human rights
situation there,” the independent expert said.
“Apart from what is happening in Rakhine, the escalation in
fighting in Kachin and Shan, with its inevitable negative impact on the
situation of civilians, is causing some disquiet regarding the direction that
the new Government is taking in its first year of administration,” she added.
During the 12-day visit, at the invitation of the
Government, the Special Rapporteur will address a broad range of human rights
issues with the authorities and various stakeholders, including political and
community leaders, civil society representatives, as well as victims of human
rights violations and members of the international community.
In line with her mandate from the UN Human Rights Council,
Ms. Lee has proposed benchmarks to the Government ahead of her visit to help
monitor and assess progress in the situation of human rights in Myanmar. By the
end of her visit, she hopes to arrive at mutually agreed benchmarks with the
Government, which will include priority areas for technical assistance and
capacity building.
“My main objective, as Special Rapporteur, has always been
to work closely with the authorities and people of Myanmar, for the promotion
and protection of human rights in the country,” the expert noted.
“I look forward to the good cooperation which the Government
has always extended to my mandate. I especially hope for the constructive and
frank exchange of views which always take place during my visits to lead to
real and meaningful change for the people of Myanmar,” she said.
Following her country visit, the human rights expert will
present a report* to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017.
A press conference will be held at the end of the Special
Rapporteur’s visit. Details on time and venue will be announced during the
course of the visit. Access to the press conference will be strictly limited to
journalists.
(*) Check the previous reports by the Special Rapporteur: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?m=89
Ms. Yanghee Lee (Republic of Korea) was appointed by the UN
Human Rights Council in 2014 as the Special Rapporteur on situation of human
rights in Myanmar. She is independent from any government or organization and
serves in her individual capacity. Ms. Lee is currently serving as the
Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee of Special Procedures of the Human
Rights Council. Ms. Lee served as member and chairperson of the UN Committee on
the Rights of the Child (2003-2011). She is currently a professor at Sungkyunwan
University, Seoul, and serves on the Advisory Committee of the National Human
Rights Commission of Korea. Ms. Lee is the founding President of International
Child Rights Center.