Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Yanghee Lee. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Children walk on a path between shelters at a camp for displaced people in Rakhine State, Myanmar, Thursday 6 April 2017. Most of the the displaced people are women and children. Photo: UNICEF/ Brown

Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng. UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Yanghee Lee. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

By UN News Centre

November 11, 2016

Gravely concerned about allegations of rape and sexual assault of women and girls in Northern Rakhine state in Myanmar following recent border attacks, Zainab Hawa Bangura, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict called today on the Government to ensure that an impartial and effective investigation is conducted into the alleged incidents. 

It is also vital to provide enough access for the humanitarian organizations to intervene and ensure life-saving clinical management and psycho-social support services for survivors, and end access restrictions on human rights monitors and member of the media, she added in a statement issued by her Office. 

The envoy warned that there might be more similar incidents of sexual assaults in the future as the escalation of the violence continues, and urged to the Government of Myanmar to act now to prevent any future incidents. 

“These are not isolated incidents but are part of a wider pattern of ethnically motivated violence that my office has tracked over the past several years. It is critical to end impunity for sexual violence, and I would remind the relevant authorities that human rights must be respected even in the context of counter-insurgency operations,” said Mrs. Bangura. 

Finally, the Special Representative stressed that her Office will continue to monitor the situation, provide any necessary support to the survivors, and hold perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence accountable.

By UN News

19 November 2015 – In a telephone conversation with Myanmar’s President Thein Sein today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all sides to cooperate in addressing the South-East Asian country’s major challenges following the opposition’s election victory this month.

He stressed that future generations would benefit from the foundations of democracy established by President Thein Sein's administration and pledged continuing UN support for Myanmar’s progress along the path toward a peaceful, inclusive multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy, according to a readout on the call.

He noted that as discussions proceed for the formation of a new government, all major stakeholders must work in a spirit of unity, reconciliation and cooperation to address the major challenges confronting the nation, including those of national reconstruction, stability and development.

They must also tackle the issues of communal polarization, marginalization of minorities and advancing the peace process, voicing concern at the recent escalation of tensions in Shan and Kachin states and their impact in loss of civilian lives, as well as on the peace process. He encouraged all parties to resolve their differences at the negotiating table.

Mr. Ban’s call followed a similar one he made two days ago to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) which scored a resounding success at the polls.

He congratulated the President and the people of Myanmar for the successful conduct of the elections, the high voter turnout, and the peaceful, orderly, open and dignified manner in which it unfolded, calling it a tribute to the organization and leadership of the President and Government, as well as the professionalism of the Union Election Commission.

The UN has long been involved in Myanmar’s transition after more than 50 years of military rule, appointing a Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the issue. In 2007 Mr. Ban set up the “Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Myanmar,” a consultative forum of 14 countries to assist him in his efforts to spur change in the South-East Asian nation.

Over the years, he has welcomed the release of political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself. In 2010 he voiced concern over the decision to dissolve 10 political parties, including the NLD, ahead of the previous elections that November.

By UN News Centre

September 30, 2015

The upcoming elections represent a milestone in Myanmar’s transition to democracy, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, adding that their credibility will depend on acceptance of its outcome among the political leaders and the broader population.

“It is crucial that these proceed in a fair, inclusive and transparent atmosphere. This responsibility rests with the Government, the Union Election Commission and the Army, but also all sections of Myanmar society,” he said at a meeting of the Partnership Group on Myanmar, held on the margins of the high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly.

The public commitment by the Army leadership to ensure a free election and to respect its results must be honoured, Mr. Ban stated. Likewise, it is essential that the Government ensure a free and unfettered process for candidates and voters.

In addition, he noted that civil society needs space to carry out its work – and actions against media and activists as well as arbitrary arrests and detention must stop. “The authorities must ensure that all those who were able to vote in previous elections retain those rights,” Mr. Ban continued.

“I am deeply disappointed by this effective disenfranchisement of the Rohingya and other minority communities. Barring incumbent Rohingya parliamentarians from standing for re-election is particularly egregious,” he stated.

According to a read-out of the meeting, participating Member States noted the need for more decisive action on resolving the humanitarian situation in the camps for internally displaced persons and on the broader issues of citizenship for the Rohingya, adding that failure to do so could result in more suffering and loss of lives.

Concerns were expressed at the disenfranchisement of voters and rejection of candidatures, especially of Muslim representatives who had qualified for previous elections.

Ultimately, the credibility of the elections and smooth transfer of power will depend on acceptance of its results among the political leaders and the broader population within Myanmar, the read-out stated, echoing Mr. Ban, who noted that only this can ensure a smooth transfer of power.

By UN News Centre

July 21, 2015

Wrapping up a five-day mission to Myanmar, Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection in the United Nations refugee agency called for more concerted support to resolve the plight of displaced people and those with undetermined citizenship in the country.

After visiting Yangon, as well as the capital of Nay Pyi Taw and Sittwe and Maungdaw in Rakhine state, Mr. Türk said “the future of the country depends on the future of all of its composite parts,” and he noted in a press release issued late last week that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from the transformation currently under way.

Rakhine state is one of the least developed areas of the country. It is home to internally displaced people (IDPs) along with an estimated one million others of undetermined citizenship. Living in the state's northern townships, the predominantly Rohingya populations is affected by restrictions on freedom of movement, and access to livelihoods and services, such as health and education.

Travelling to a small village an hour's drive from Maungdaw, Mr. Türk said he had seen first-hand the impact of restrictions on the Rohingya population and the damage caused by their lack of citizenship. "Local orders" in place prevent them from moving easily from one village to another, severely limiting their livelihoods.

They are also deprived higher educational opportunities. Since June 2012, Rohingya students have been prohibited from attending Sittwe University – the only university in the state.

Mr. Türk spoke directly with the affected populations in Rakhine state, where 140,000 people are still internally displaced after the outbreak of inter-communal violence three years ago.

In a positive development, when breaking the Ramadan fast together with Rakhine and Rohingya community leaders in Maungdaw, he was told that while challenges remain in building trust, the communities have a long history of co-existence.

“We have been living together since before Maungdaw town existed,” said one Rohingya leader. His comment was then affirmed by a Rakhine representative.

Traveling to Nay Pyi Taw, he held discussions with U Khin Yi, Minister for Immigration and Population, and other government officials and parliamentarians.

Following up on the issues raised in Bangkok in late May during a regional meeting on irregular migration in the Indian Ocean, Mr. Türk noted that the recent “boat crisis” in the region and the long-term situation in Rakhine state. He reiterated UNHCR's readiness to assist all governments in the region, including Myanmar, to address the movements of people from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

At the end of his visit, the Assistant High Commissioner shared his findings at a briefing with diplomats and representatives of international organisations in Yangon. Describing the regional dimension of the maritime movements in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, he emphasized that the key to finding solutions is to work with all of the communities and the authorities to promote peaceful co-existence in the Rakhine state.

UN's Ban Ki-Moon sees "troubling signs" of (anti-Muslim and anti-Rohingya) mobilization in Myanmar in the scheduled election process

"There are already troubling signs of ethnic and religious differences being exploited in the run-up to the elections. The reform process could be jeopardized if the underlying causes of these tensions are left un-addressed."

_________________________

S T A T E M E N T

Secretary-General's remarks at the Meeting of the Partnership Group on Myanmar 

New York, 24 April 2015 

Thank you for your participation in this Partnership Group meeting on Myanmar. I especially welcome Honorable Union Minister U Soe Thane and his distinguished delegation from Myanmar. 

We meet once again against the backdrop of both opportunities and challenges as Myanmar continues on its path of historic transition. The reform process initiated by the Government of President U Thein Sein continues to progress steadily. The country has taken visible strides in many areas of socio-economic development, national reconciliation and democratization. The results of the first census conducted in thirty years – not without controversy – will be available soon. They will have to be treated carefully and sensitively. 

The general elections due to be held by year’s end will be an important milestone and conducting it in a credible, transparent and inclusive manner will require long-term engagement by all stakeholders. The Government must create a proper environment by ensuring free assembly, free expression, an open atmosphere for the media as well as by non-discrimination and the protection of civil and political rights for all. 

President Thein Sein’s efforts to engage in political dialogue with other leaders on key issues -- including constitutional reform -- have been encouraging. The convening of the six-party talks on April 10 could set the stage for future discussions to iron out key differences. Parliament will also need to move forward with greater purpose to resolve the constitutional and other key issues. 

The Government has shown exemplary resolve in striving to achieve peace and stability in the country. After sixteen months of intermittent negotiations, on 31 March, the Government and the ethnic armed groups reached agreement on the text of a nationwide ceasefire accord, which can bring to an end more than sixty years of ethnic conflict. 

However, much more hard work lies ahead. It will be important that the ceasefire agreement is signed and sealed without delay. 

I recognize the important role played by China’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Wang Yingfan, whose presence during the final stages of the process greatly contributed to its successful outcome.

I also wish to thank my Special Advisor, Mr. Nambiar, who was also an Observer to the process. The quiet support that he and his team provided helped build confidence in the process. 

Undoubtedly, this agreement is only a first step towards a broader national dialogue on important pending issues including the role of military and constitutional reform. We are fully cognizant that the process should continue to remain nationally-led. The United Nations will continue to lend its support within the comfort level of all sides. 

Meanwhile, ongoing clashes in Kachin and Northern Shan States have caused immense suffering to civilians. The clashes in Kokang are also deeply disturbing in terms of the toll of lives and destruction as well as their implications for the longer term stability of the region. Humanitarian actors will need unimpeded access to provide much needed aid in a timely fashion. The tensions arising from these clashes must not jeopardize the larger peace process. 

The communal situation in Rakhine and elsewhere remains fragile. The continued animosity between the communities and possible eruption of violence could be seriously destabilizing. There are already troubling signs of ethnic and religious differences being exploited in the run-up to the elections. The reform process could be jeopardized if the underlying causes of these tensions are left unaddressed. 

Meanwhile, the conditions of the vulnerable populations especially in the IDP camps, remain a matter of profound concern for the international community. Many have also risked their lives to flee the country by sea and others have become prey to trafficking rings. This situation is untenable. 

The international community is still deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine. The Government has taken some steps to stabilize the situation and to curb any fresh outbreak of violence. But long-term stability in Rakhine will remain unattainable without comprehensively addressing the issue of status and citizenship of the Muslim populations -- particularly the plight of those who self-identify and are known by many as “Rohingyas” but whom the government calls “Bengalis”. Without these steps, the Government will also find itself continually exposed to international criticism. 

I have been in close contact with President Thein Sein, whom I met in Nay Pyi Taw on 13 November during the UN-ASEAN Summit under Myanmar’s Chairmanship. I also spoke with him recently to express my concern that continuing controversies on the race and religious bills as well as absence of swift action to regularize the status of White Card holders will be seen as institutionalized discrimination. With general elections looming, the Government must take urgent and practical measures to address these issues and their underlying causes. 

As I have stressed earlier, Myanmar’s top leaders must send a unified message against incitement of hatred and to promote harmony and social cohesion. 

As I stressed during this week’s General Assembly meeting on Tolerance and Reconciliation, religious leaders also have an important role to play to promote understanding and mutual respect. 

The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Government to address the needs of all vulnerable populations. The establishment of an OHCHR office with a full mandate will help strengthen Myanmar’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. 

Myanmar continues to strive toward creating a better place for its people. The transition may not deliver immediate results or satisfy all sectors of the population or civil society. Such a drastic and fast-paced reform process may have generated unreasonably high expectations; but the changes are painstakingly taking root and fundamentally transforming the identity of the state and nation. 

Myanmar’s progress is also important for the region. 2015 is the year that ASEAN aims to become one community of Member States that share a vision and goal to become a zone of peace and stability. 

I wish to thank you again for your commitment and support, particularly to my Good Offices in its continued efforts to play a constructive role in Myanmar. 

Thank you.

Original

By UN News

March 13, 2015

The United Nations remains committed to helping Myanmar achieve its humanitarian and development needs in order to boost living standards for all its citizens, top UN officials have declared during their visit to the Asian country.

“Myanmar is in the midst of a number of complex political, administrative, and economic reforms and peacebuilding processes. There are many challenges, and the country has experienced both progress and setbacks in recent years,” the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Helen Clark, stated in a news release.

“UNDP is committed to its work on strengthening governance and to working through its rights-based approaches to support the attainment of higher levels of human development for all in Myanmar.”

During a two-day visit to Myanmar this week to emphasize the importance of ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance and support for sustainable development, Ms. Clark and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Ertharin Cousin, met with Government officials in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw.

The two UN officials also travelled to the city of Sittwe in Rakhine state where communities remain polarized amid ongoing sectarian tensions. The area is the scene of continuing inter-communal conflict and internal population displacements where “humanitarian and development needs are most acute,” according to the news release.

In Rakhine, UNDP is providing development assistance and working with communities in 63 villages to improve livelihoods and strengthen social cohesion while also investing in developing the capacity of local governments to improve public administration and people-oriented service delivery. Meanwhile, as the world’s largest humanitarian organization, WFP has been providing life-saving food assistance to over 128,000 internally displaced persons in the state since 2012.

“The path to development runs through the achievement of zero hunger,” Ms. Cousin said. “WFP is committed to working with the Government and our partner organizations starting with UNDP to support Myanmar’s transformational goal of reaching middle-income country status by 2030.”

Meanwhile, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today voiced concern about the arrest of more than 100 students and other protestors following their demonstrations in Latpadan, in the southern Bago Region on Tuesday. Although many have since been released, the majority still remain detained in Tharawaddy prison with an estimated 60 of them charged under various laws.

In Geneva, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters that the UN was concerned about reports that the police had used “excessive and disproportionate force” against the protestors.

“We urge the Government to unconditionally release all those detained for the exercise of their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and to amend the laws that place unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on people’s rights,” Ms. Shamdasani said.

By UN News 

October 5, 2014

Back from a recent trip to Myanmar, senior United Nations humanitarian and development officials today called for continued lifesaving aid to the displaced, assistance to address poverty and create better coexistence conditions, and a political solution to a new citizenship plan. 

These three priorities were outlined in a press briefing in New York by Haoliang Xu, Assistant Administrator and Director for the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and John Ging, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). 

“My first impression was that there was progress made…but tremendous challenges remain,” Mr. Ging told journalists following a two-day visit to Myanmar that began on 8 September. 

Mr. Xu highlighted the need to scale up poverty eradication across Rakhine, with a particular focus on development solutions which promote peaceful co-existence. “Stability and peace can be achieved only when the needs of all communities are met,” he said. 

The officials’ visit focused on the implementation of the UN’s development and humanitarian assistance programmes in Rakhine state, which has witnessed a surge of violence between Buddhists and Muslims that first spiked in June 2012. An estimated 140,000 people live in 68 internally displaced persons camps in the state. 

The majority of those displaced are minority Rohingya Muslims. The Government, this summer, launched the Rakhine State Action Plan, which purports to grant citizenship to some of these families if they register as “Bengalis.” Many strongly object to this nomenclature since it implies they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite having lived in Myanmar for generations. 

“The issue of citizenship needs to be looked at in the context of history,” Mr. Xu said, briefing on his first visit to the country since taking the UNDP post. 

Also addressing the citizenship issue, Mr. Ging said that a peaceful resolution could be an “international success story” and called on the international community to ensure that “this crucial opportunity is not missed.” 

In addition to the humanitarian needs, more than 1 million community members face discrimination and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, seriously compromising their basic rights to food, health, education and livelihoods, while reinforcing their reliance on international humanitarian assistance. 

During their visit, Mr. Xu and Mr. Ging commended the Government and the support of the UN and international partners for the work they are doing. 

While in the region, they two officials saw the “positive and practical results of intercommunal dialogue, in the construction of new roads and bridges to improve economic activity between communities,” according to a statement from UNDP last month. 

Following the visit, Mr. Ging continued to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) where, between 12 and 15 September, he saw the “underreported” challenges faced by the people.

Mr. Ging called for the “wider international community to reach beyond politics to the people” and fund a $116 million humanitarian appeal which is supported by “high quality, high level of accountability” from UN agencies. 

Some 2.4 million people in the country are relying on regular food assistance, he said, with chronic malnutrition “a way of life.”

By UN News

August 25, 2014

The United Nations Special Adviser for Myanmar today wrapped up a visit to the country during which he visited Rakhine state to see first-hand the progress made to provide aid to local communities, as well as actions being taken to address underlying causes of recent violence.

This was the eighth visit to Myanmar in the past year for Vijay Nambiar, who took part as an observer at a meeting on national reconciliation between the Government and ethnic armed groups – the first of its kind held in the country.

“On behalf of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nambiar called on all involved to take a leap of faith and to set aside all narrow agendas in the common interest of peace and a unified Myanmar,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

Several waves of clashes between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, the first of which occurred in June 2012, have affected hundreds of thousands of families in Rakhine.

During his visit, Mr. Nambiar met with the President, Foreign Minister, and other senior officials, and also spoke with diplomats and members of political parties, representatives of ethnic armed groups, civil society, aid agencies, women and youth organizations.

He spoke about the reform and democratization process, development and strengthening the cooperation between communities and ethnic groups, and underlined the UN’s commitment to support Myanmar as it proceeds with reforms.

By UN News

June 14, 2014

The United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator today stressed the need for improved access to people in need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, as she wrapped up a visit to the states of Rakhine and Kachin.

“Despite substantial progress in Myanmar’s reform agenda over the past years, humanitarian conditions have deteriorated in some areas where people are in greatest need, but where access continues to pose a challenge,” said Kyung-wha Kang, who is also Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

In a news release issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Ms. Kang said she witnessed the serious challenges that humanitarian workers face in delivering aid to the estimated 421,000 people in urgent need of life-saving assistance in the South-east Asian nation.

In Rakhine, she travelled to Sittwe and Pauktaw to visit camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities affected by inter-communal violence.

She met with local authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian workers to evaluate progress in resuming and scaling up the humanitarian response following the attacks in March on UN and non-governmental organization (NGO) premises in Sittwe. The current capacity of the humanitarian community in Rakhine is still less than 60 per cent of previous levels, she noted.

“The safety and security of our staff, both national and international, must be guaranteed in order for the UN and NGOs to continue to support the Myanmar Government in responding to the vast humanitarian and development needs of all the people in Rakhine state,” she stated.

Despite considerable humanitarian efforts, many people in isolated villages and remote IDP camps continue to live in dire conditions, coupled with severe restrictions on their freedom of movement.

Ms. Kang described as “appalling” the situation she witnessed in Nget Chaung IDP camp, where access to basic services such as health, education, water and sanitation was “wholly inadequate.”

She also visited IDP camps in Kachin state, where communities recently marked the third anniversary of the conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and the Myanmar Army, which has displaced more than 100,000 people.

About half of these IDPs, including women and children, are hosted in camps in areas beyond Government control, where access by international organizations is limited to irregular cross-line humanitarian missions.

“Local NGOs have been, and will continue to be, central to the humanitarian response in Kachin, but more regular, predictable, and sustained access by international organizations is needed to reach the required levels of assistance in all IDP areas,” Ms. Kang stressed.

She noted that renewed fighting over the past months in southern Kachin and northern Shan state led to the displacement of many people for the second, third, or fourth time.

“It is essential that all parties ensure the protection of civilians and the full respect of international humanitarian law, while looking ahead in the long term to develop durable solutions for displaced people and host communities.”

During her visit, Ms. Kang held a series of meetings with national officials, during which she reiterated the UN’s continued commitment to support the Government in responding to humanitarian needs in Myanmar and reminded the authorities of their responsibility to ensure that justice is rendered and that the perpetrators of the March attacks are brought to justice.

By UN News

March 31, 2014

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Government of Myanmar to ensure the safety and security of all staff members and their property in the wake of recent attacks against the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Rakhine state.

In a telephone conversation on Sunday with President Thein Sein, Mr. Ban stressed that impunity cannot be tolerated in the context of Myanmar’s reform process and called for the protection of all civilians and the full respect for the rule of law.

He also welcomed the initial measures undertaken by the authorities so far, according to a read-out of the call provided by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson.

The conversation comes following the attacks by unidentified groups of demonstrators last week on the premises of the UN and NGOs working in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, which has witnessed waves of violence between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.

Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said that in the light of the subsequent and ongoing humanitarian and human rights concerns in Rakhine state, the Secretary-General requested that the Government help establish a strong presence of the UN and other international NGOs.

Given the heightened tensions and anxieties among various communities in Rakhine with regard to the nationwide census, the Secretary-General also underlined the importance for this critical exercise to be undertaken in a peaceful and, above all, credible manner.

He hoped that the conduct of the census in Rakhine and elsewhere in the country will meet established international technical and human rights standards.

Mr. Ban also reiterated the UN’s commitment to provide continued support to the national reform efforts underway in the South-east Asian nation following the establishment of a new Government two years ago.

By UN News Centre

February 19, 2014

The independent United Nations expert tasked with monitoring the human rights situation in Myanmar today welcomed the improvements that have been made, but highlighted a number of challenges that, if left unaddressed, could jeopardize the country’s entire reform process.

“I believe there is limited space for backtracking, though – as a senior Government official admitted to me in Nay Pyi Taw – the democratic transition is still fragile,” stated Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana, as he concluded his last official mission to the country.

The South-east Asian nation has witnessed a number of positive changes since President Thein Sein initiated a series of reforms two years ago after the establishment of a new Government.

Mr. Ojea Quintana, who has served in his post for six years, hailed some of these positive developments, such as the release of prisoners of conscience, the opening up of space for freedom of expression, the development of political freedoms, and important progress in securing an end to fighting in the ethnic border areas.

He warned, however, that the military retains a prevailing role in the life and institutions of Myanmar for the time being, noting that “State institutions in general remain unaccountable and the judiciary is not yet functioning as an independent branch of Government.”

“Moreover, the rule of law cannot yet be said to exist in Myanmar,” the expert said, adding that the current situation in Rakhine state – which has been the scene of waves of Buddhist-Muslim violence – still represents a particular obstacle and a threat to the reform process.

During his visit, Mr. Ojea Quintana became the first human rights rapporteur to visit Laiza in Kachin state, where he saw villages that had been abandoned over the years by those fleeing advancing military troops.

“The visit to Laiza brought home to me how closely related the fighting is with serious human rights violations, and the importance of securing a national ceasefire accord in the coming months.” In January 2013, the Government announced a unilateral ceasefire following a three-week offensive against ethnic Kachin rebels.

The expert commended progress towards a national ceasefire accord, which could be signed by April. “A critical challenge will be to secure ceasefire and political agreements with ethnic minority groups, so that Myanmar can finally transform into a peaceful multi-ethnic and multi-religious society,” he stated.

On the Constitution, he said that reform was necessary to “embrace the aspirations of the ethnic communities,” and to “address the undemocratic powers granted to the military and further democratize parliament, upholding the right of people to choose their own government and president.”

Among other things, the expert called for a change of mind-set within all levels of Government, to allow civil society, political parties and a free media to flourish beyond the limited freedoms that have currently been granted.

“Detaining journalists for the coverage of sensitive stories is something that belongs in Myanmar’s past,” he stressed.

Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

Mr. Ojea Quintana’s full report on Myanmar will be presented to the Council next month.

By UN News

January 23, 2014

The United Nations humanitarian chief on Thursday voiced deep concern about reports of alarming levels of violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, including the killing of many civilians and a policeman, and called for an immediate investigation by the authorities.

“I ask the Government of Myanmar to take all necessary measures to ensure the full protection of all civilians and to enable safe and continued access by humanitarian staff to the affected areas in order to assess needs and provide emergency assistance to all those affected by the recent violence,” Valerie Amos, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a statement.

“I also ask the Government to immediately launch an impartial investigation into these events and to respect the rights of those arrested and detained in connection with this incident,” she added.

News outlets have reported that security forces killed at least 40 Rohingya Muslims in Maungdaw Township last week, including women and children. Government officials, meanwhile, have denied these reports. There were also reports of attacks on police.

Last week, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, called on the Government to investigate reports of fatal clashes between security forces and Muslims in Rakhine state, where over 110,000 people have been uprooted in Buddhist-Muslim violence in the past 18 months.

Mr. Ojea Quintana said the human rights situation in Rakhine state is posing one of the most serious threats to the process of democratic reform and national reconciliation in Myanmar, which has seen the release of hundreds of prisoners of conscience, greater media freedom, an active Parliament and efforts to reach a ceasefire with various rebel groups.

By UN News

December 26, 2013

The United Nations human rights office today urged the Government of Thailand to drop criminal defamation charges against two journalists who wrote about the alleged involvement of the Thai Navy with human trafficking. 

“Criminal prosecution for defamation has a chilling effect on freedom of the press,” said Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). “International standards are clear that imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty for defamation.” 

Editor Alan Morison and reporter Chutima Sidasathian, who write for Phuketwan, a small English-language newspaper based on one of the Thai islands, cited a Reuters investigative report alleging the involvement of Thai naval security forces in smuggling Rohingya asylum-seekers fleeing Myanmar, where ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims have been clashing since last year. 

Mr. Morison and Ms. Sidasathian have also been charged for breaching the Computer Crimes Act for publishing the 17 July online article.

Ms. Shamdasani stressed the essential role media plays in imparting information and promoting transparency and accountability on this important issue. 

“The criminal charges against Mr. Morison and Ms. Chutima could have serious implications on Phuketwan’s future operations, possibly compromising its ability to report on issues related to Rohingya asylum-seekers to the public,” she noted.

If convicted, they face up to two years’ imprisonment on the criminal defamation charges and five years in prison for breaching the Computer Crimes Act, as well as fines equivalent to $3,125.

The Computer Crimes Act, which came into force in Thailand in 2007, seeks to bar the spread of material believed to threaten national security or create panic. 

The Act has been criticized by Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression Frank La Rue, an independent UN expert, for being “vague and overly broad, and the harsh criminal sanctions are neither necessary nor proportionate to protect the monarchy or national security.”

Citing the negative impact of the inter-communal clashes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on children in the region, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today urged all parties to put an end to the violence.

“In the name of Myanmar’s children, now is the time for this violence to end,” said Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Representative in Yangon. “Hate messages and inflammatory propaganda just perpetuate the cycle of violence, and it is children who suffer.”

Rakhine state has been the site of inter-communal violence since June 2012, with clashes between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, which eventually led the Government to declare a state of emergency there. Some 75,000 people were uprooted in the first wave of riots and another 36,000 were displaced by a second wave of unrest in October last year.

The latest wave of violence broke out on 29 September in the southern town of Thandwe. Initial reports soon after suggested that the fighting had been brought under control, but later reports stated that hostilities recommenced on 1 October and subsequently spread to Tha Byu Chaing, Pauk Taw, Shwe Hlay and Me Kyun townships. Deaths have been reported, along with the destruction of some 110 homes.

The violence has also caused a new wave of displacement of families and added to the fears of those displaced last year.

“When violence drives people from their homes, children who are displaced and those in the host communities suffer,” said Mr. Bainvel. “Displacement puts children at greater risk of family separation and domestic violence, they miss out on schooling and too frequently they experience physical and emotional damage.”

UNICEF is also concerned that the polarization resulting from ongoing inter-communal violence could stall or put at risk the many important reform processes currently underway in Myanmar, with negative repercussions for all of Myanmar’s children.

“Peace-building and reconciliation activities must be prioritized if Myanmar’s children are to have the future they deserve, and to which they have a right,” Mr. Bainvel said.

Welcoming recent calls for peace, stability and the rule of law and for the arrest of alleged perpetrators of violence, UNICEF called for all perpetrators of violations of the rights of children – particularly those who commit violent acts against children – to be held to account and brought to justice.

By UN News Centre

September 27, 2013

Commending Myanmar for its remarkable progress, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that the South-east Asian country must continue its democratic transition and overcome the inter-communal violence that is threatening it.

“Myanmar continues a journey towards a more open and broad-based democracy. Its robust civil society will play an increasingly crucial role as a bridge between government and citizens, in the process strengthening accountability, transparency and participation,” Mr. Ban told a ministerial meeting of his Group of Friends on Myanmar, which met on the margins of the 68th General Assembly in New York.

Mr. Ban praised President Thein Sein’s commitment to bring the country towards peace, democracy and an open market, as well as the recent release of various political prisoners. However, he warned that the security situation remains fragile, and called for measures to ease tensions in the country.

“Much of this progress could be undermined if the threat of communal disturbances and violent confrontation between religious and ethnic groups is not addressed effectively including by looking at the root cause of the conflicts,” he said.

Mr. Ban expressed hope that the positive engagement between the Myanmar authorities and armed ethnic groups will result in a nationwide ceasefire “very soon.”

He also called on authorities to protect the rights of minority communities, including the Rohingyas. Several waves of clashes between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, the first of which occurred in June 2012, have affected hundreds of thousands of families in the country’s western region. Some 140,000 people, mostly Rohingyas, remain displaced in Rakhine and tens of thousands of others have fled by boat.

“The fears, vulnerabilities and suspicions of the minority community have yet to be fully alleviated, and addressing the grievances of the Rohingyas, including the question of their citizenship, will be of the utmost importance,” he said.

Mr. Ban reiterated the UN’s support for the Government of Myanmar, including through assistance for the 2015 elections, the rule of law, humanitarian assistance, socio-economic development, anti-corruption, police reform and judicial practice.

Ministers at the meeting highlighted that international support for Myanmar needs to be constructive and coordinated in a manner that would add value to the reform process.