UNITED NATIONS, (MILLAT+APP): A United Nations expert will
assess the human rights situation in Myanmar, starting next week,
it was announced, following increasing concerns about civilians
in Kachin State and the escalating violence in Rakhine State.
“The events of the last few months have shown that the
international community must remain vigilant in monitoring
the human rights situation there,” Yanghee Lee, the UN Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the country,
said in a statement.
Rohingya Muslims, a minority group, have been under attack
from Buddhist extremists for years now.
The 12-day visit, at the invitation of the Government, will
include meetings political and community leaders, civil society,
as well as victims of human rights violations and members of
the international community.
Starting on 9 January, this will be Ms. Lee’s fifth visit
to Myanmar. She plans to visit Myitkyina, Hpakant and Laiza
in Kachin State, where civilians are caught in fighting between
the Myanmar army and an armed group.
“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,”
Ms. Lee said.
She will also gather information in Sittwe, Rathedaung,
Buthidaung and Maungdaw in Rakhine State, as well as Nay
Pyi Taw and Yangon.
Last month, the top UN human rights official, Zeid Ra’ad
Al Hussein said that he was deeply disappointed by a lack of
access to some of the worst areas in northern Rakhine,
particularly given numerous alarming allegations of rights
violations, including killings, molestations and the burning
of homes belonging to the Rohingya minority group.
A report from the visit will be presented in March to
the UN Human Rights Council, the largest body of independent
experts in the UN Human Rights system.