24 July 2017 – While no one expects an overnight transition to democracy in Myanmar, there has to be real progress on human rights, an independent United Nations expert today said, highlighting reported killings, tortures, and an “ongoing humanitarian crisis” for the Rohingya people and other minorities.
In a statement from
the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Special
Rapporteur Yanghee Lee accused national authorities of “presiding over a worsening
security and human rights situation” in the country.
Ms. Lee said she
catalogued a list of concerns during her 12 day visit to the country, which was
held at the invitation of the Government, which also included the use of human
shields by security forces and deaths in custody.
“I am disappointed
to see the tactics applied by the previous Government still being used,” said
Ms. Lee, who wrapped up her visit on 21 July.
“We are told not to
expect Myanmar to transition into a democracy overnight – that it needs time
and space,” she continued. “But in the same way, Myanmar should not expect to
have its close scrutiny removed or its special monitoring mechanisms dismantled
overnight. This cannot happen until there is real and discernible progress on
human rights.”
The independent
expert also raised concern about the situation of the Rohingya people, and said
that State protection and security extend “not only to the Rakhine but also the
Muslim communities.”
In Kachin and
Rakhine states, some 100,000 and 120,000 people, respectively, have remained
displaced for more than five years following the eruption of inter-communal
conflict between Buddhists and minority Muslim Rohingya.
Ms. Lee said she was
particularly dismayed to learn that the situation in northern Shan State was
deteriorating, with reports of more conflict, alleged rights violations by
security forces and armed groups, and inadequate assistance for civilians.
“There have been
numerous reports of killings, torture, even the use of human shields by the
armed forces, allegedly in some cases accompanied by threats of further
violence if incidents are reported,” said Ms. Lee.
The Special
Rapporteur, who visited Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw as well as parts of Rakhine,
Shan and Kayin States, said she had been “astonished” at Government attempts to
limit her activities and movements.
The Special
Rapporteur also highlighted the confiscation of land to create so-called
Special Economic Zones, where land has been confiscated but some farmers still
have to pay tax on it.
Ms. Lee will present
a full report on her visit to the UN General Assembly in October 2017.
Special Rapporteurs
and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights
Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a
country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff,
nor are they paid for their work.