ZCZC
BSS-34
UN-HUMAN-MYANMAR
UNHRC urges Myanmar to cooperate with int’l mechanisms to ensure justice
DHAKA, Sept 9, 2019 (BSS) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle
Bachelet urged the Myanmar government to cooperate with the international
mechanisms that have been established both to ensure justice and consolidate
Myanmar’s democratic transition.
“In Myanmar, it is now two years since horrific violations by the Army,
including killings and sexual violence, drove nearly a million Rohingya
people out of the country,” she said in her opening statement at the 42nd
session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Now Rakhine State is experiencing another conflict between the so-called
Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw, and another wave of human rights violations and
displacement, she said, adding that this is affecting both ethnic Rakhine and
Rohingya communities and will make it even harder for refugees and internally
displaced people to return.
The recent escalation of clashes in Shan State and long-standing conflicts
in Kachin State also cause displacement and human suffering, and undermine
the peace process, she added.
This Council session will hear the final report of the Fact Finding
Mission, and she commended it for giving the world a clear picture of the
gravity and scale of the violations that have been committed across Myanmar.
“The need for accountability is compelling and urgent, and I am very
pleased to note that the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar,
which was established by the Council in its historic resolution 39/2, was
declared operational by the Secretary-General in August,” said Bachelet.
Following her statement, the Head of the Mechanism will be briefing the
Council on steps already taken to advance the powerful work of the Fact-
Finding Mission, by compiling cases for criminal prosecution. “And I welcome
Myanmar’s adoption in July of a landmark Child Law, which will bring the law
substantially into compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
and ILO Conventions,” she added.
BSS/PR/TAN/ARS/1912 hrs