UN spl envoy determined to fulfil mission

UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Yanghee Lee was due to arrive in the capital last night on a eight-day visit to Bangladesh, vowing to fulfill her mandate despite the Myanmar government’s refusal to allow her entry to that country.

“I am determined to carry on - to the best of my ability - this very important task of helping the victims of human rights violations and abuses in Myanmar, as mandated to me by the United Nations system,” Lee said, before departing on the 13-day trip, which also include Thailand.

“By not giving me access to Myanmar and by refusing to cooperate with the mandate, my task is made much more difficult, but I will continue to obtain first-hand accounts from victims and witnesses of human rights violations by all means possible, including by visiting neighbouring countries where some have fled,” she said.

The special rapporteur will leave for Thailand, home of some persecuted Rohingya people, on January 24 and will remain there till January 30.

In Bangladesh, Lee will visit Dhaka and refugee camps and settlements near Cox’s Bazar to meet with refugees and community leaders. In Thailand, she will visit Bangkok, Mae Sot and Chiang Mai.

“The government has accused me of bias, while at the same time denying that human rights violations have taken place in Myanmar,” Lee said. “I would ask the authorities to rethink their position, and to put the victims first.

“I have a responsibility to speak on behalf of these victims, and I will not be deterred. This is why I am going ahead to visit neighbouring countries to reach out as far as possible to all victims and witnesses to learn of their experience.”

Following her visit, the human rights expert will present a report to the Human Rights Council in March 2018.

 

 

 

UN spl envoy determined to fulfil mission

UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Yanghee Lee was due to arrive in the capital last night on a eight-day visit to Bangladesh, vowing to fulfill her mandate despite the Myanmar governments refusal to allow her entry to that country. I am determined to carry on - to the best of my ability - this very important task of helping the victims of human rights violations and abuses in Myanmar, as mandated to me by the United Nations system, Lee said, before departing on the 13-day trip, which also include Thailand. By not giving me access to Myanmar and by refusing to cooperate with the mandate, my task is made much more difficult, but I will continue to obtain first-hand accounts from victims and witnesses of human rights violations by all means possible, including by visiting neighbouring countries where some have fled, she said. The special rapporteur will leave for Thailand, home of some persecuted Rohingya people, on January 24 and will remain there till January 30. In Bangladesh, Lee will visit Dhaka and refugee camps and settlements near Coxs Bazar to meet with refugees and community leaders. In Thailand, she will visit Bangkok, Mae Sot and Chiang Mai. The government has accused me of bias, while at the same time denying that human rights violations have taken place in Myanmar, Lee said. I would ask the authorities to rethink their position, and to put the victims first. I have a responsibility to speak on behalf of these victims, and I will not be deterred. This is why I am going ahead to visit neighbouring countries to reach out as far as possible to all victims and witnesses to learn of their experience. Following her visit, the human rights expert will present a report to the Human Rights Council in March 2018.