Christian Solidarity Worldwide has welcomed a UN Human Rights Council resolution establishing an independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Myanmar’s military has been accused of committing extensive human rights violations including the burning of homes, mass rape, torture, extra-judicial executions and the blocking of humanitarian aid as part of a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims following an attack in October in which nine police officers were killed. The military claimed the attack was an act of terrorism committed by a small group of Rohingya.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW‘s chief executive, said Friday’s “groundbreaking” Human Rights Council resolution “sends an important message” that the international community is committed to addressing the “harrowing” situation in the country, in particular in Rakhine State. He said the organisation was disappointed the Myanmar Government had disassociated itself from the resolution and urged them to collaborate fully with the fact-finding mission and provide full and unrestricted access to all areas including, as well as Rahkine state, Kachin and Shan states.
“Although the attention of the international community is focused on the horrific reports from Rakhine State, we believe reports of grave human rights abuses in Kachin and northern Shan States also merit urgent attention,” he said.
Mr Thomas added that while the decision to establish a fact-finding mission rather than a commission of inquiry “does not adequately acknowledge the severity of the situation in Rakhine”, he said CSW was “hopeful that the new fact-finding mission will investigate allegations of gross human rights violations without delay and provide recommendations to address the situation, increase accountability and bring perpetrators to justice”.
The UN Human Rights Council also agreed last Friday to extend the mandate of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for a further period of one year.
