Myanmar's Rohingya situation 'worsening' - UN Special Rapporteur

The United Nations' Special Rapporteur stated on Monday that reports of killings, tortures and an 'ongoing humanitarian crisis' of the Rohingya people and other minorities were 'worsening' in Myanmar even though no one had anticipated an overnight transition to democracy in that country.

The UN Special Rapporteur in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, in a statement issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), levelled accusations against the Myanmar authorities for 'presiding over a worsening security and human rights situation' in that country.

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's situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

Lee said she had catalogued a list of concerns during her 12-day visit to the country. The visit took place at the invitation of the Myanmar Government, which allegedly also included the use of human shields by security forces and deaths in custody.

Lee, who concluded her visit on July 21, said that she was disappointed to see the tactics applied by the previous government still being used in that country.

"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," she added.

Lee also expressed concern over the situation of the Rohingya people, and said that state protection and security should be extended not only to the Rakhine but also the Muslim communities.

In Kachin and Rakhine states, some 100,000 and 120,000 people, respectively, are said to have been displaced for over five years after the outbreak of inter-communal conflict between Buddhists and minority Muslims Rohingya.

Lee said she was particularly dismayed to learn that the situation in northern Shan state was deteriorating, with reports of the conflict intensifying, coupled with alleged rights violations by security forces and armed groups, with inadequate assistance for civilians.

"There have been numerous reports of killings, torture and even the use of human shields by the armed forces, allegedly in some cases accompanied by threats of further violence if incidents are reported," Lee maintained.

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 the government's attempts to limit her activities and movements.

The Special Rapporteur also spoke of the confiscation of land used to create so-called Special Economic Zones.

Despite the land confiscation, some farmers still have to pay tax on it.

Lee is expected to present a full report on her visit to the UN General Assembly in October 2017.

-- BERNAMA