Tag Archives: Myanmar

Statement Attributable To The Spokesman For The Secretary-General on Myanmar

The Secretary-General takes note with concern of the conviction and sentencing today in Myanmar of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo to seven years of imprisonment. He urges the authorities to review their decision.

The right to freedom of expression and information is a cornerstone of any democracy. It is unacceptable that these journalists were prosecuted for reporting on major human rights violations against the Rohingya in Rakhine State.

The Secretary-General will continue to advocate for the release of the journalists. He calls for full respect of freedom of the press and all human rights in Myanmar.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 3 September 2018

U N I T E D N A T I O N S                    N A T I O N S U N I E S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Remarks to Security Council On Myanmar
New York, 28 August 2018

I join you today with a heavy heart. The massive refugee emergency that began one year ago in Rakhine State, Myanmar, has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian and human rights crises. Last month, I visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and heard stories of horrendous persecution and suffering. One father broke down as he told me how his son was shot dead in front of him. His mother was brutally murdered and his house burned to the ground.

He took refuge in a mosque only to be discovered by soldiers who abused him and burned the Quran. I know members of the Council heard similar harrowing accounts on your own visit to the region.

You highlighted in your press statement of 9 May the degree to which you “were struck by the scale of the humanitarian crisis” and how you “remain gravely concerned by the current situation.”

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Violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state could amount to crimes against humanity – UN special adviser

The scale of violence against the Rohingya community in Myanmar’s Rakhine state documented in a recent United Nations human rights report is a level of dehumanization and cruelty that is “revolting and unacceptable,” the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide said today, underlining the Government’s responsibility to ensure that populations are protected.

In a statement, Special Adviser Adama Dieng said the flash report issued last week by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) gave further credibility to allegations that security forces were committing serious human rights violations against civilians in northern Rakhine state from the very beginning of the recent escalation of violence, which was precipitated by attacks on border posts in early October 2016 and the ensuing operations by those forces.

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Myanmar: UN rights expert condemns killing of prominent Muslim lawyer

30 January 2017 – A United Nations human rights expert today strongly condemned the brutal murder of a respected Muslim lawyer and constitutional law expert in Myanmar, who was also the legal adviser to the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).

“I am shocked to the core by the senseless killing of a highly respected and knowledgeable individual, whom I have met during all of my visits to the country, including most recently just over a week ago,” the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, said.

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NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: STATEMENT BY MR. VIJAY NAMBIAR, SPECIAL ADVISER OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON MYANMAR

As Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Myanmar, I wish to underline that the United Nations remains seriously concerned by the developing situation in Northern Rakhine. The UN has called on the security forces to act in accordance with the rule of law and accepted international norms of conduct, and to exercise caution in avoiding disproportionate responses that could cause violence to civilians, loss of innocent lives, or damage the properties of the local population.

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Note to Correspondents

Statement by Adama Dieng, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide on the situation in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar

New York, 29 November 2016 – The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, expressed alarm at reports of the deteriorating security, human rights and humanitarian situation in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. Following attacks by armed assailants against border security posts in October 2016, the response of the military has reportedly been characterized by excessive use of force and other serious human rights violations against civilian population, particularly the Rohingya Muslim population, including allegations of extrajudicial executions, torture, rape and the destruction of religious property. “These allegations must be verified as a matter of urgency”, stated Adama Dieng. “If they are true, the lives of thousands of people are at risk. The reputation of Myanmar, its new Government and its military forces is also at stake in this matter.”

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Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Earthquakes in Italy and Myanmar

The Secretary-General’s thoughts are today with the people of Italy and Myanmar following the earthquakes that struck the two countries on 24 August.

While reports on the impact of the earthquakes are still coming in, it is evident that lives have been lost and infrastructure has been damaged. In Italy, it is reported that an estimated 120 people have been killed and over 360 injured. In Myanmar, initial reports indicate that a number of buildings, including schools, pagodas and houses have been damaged in Naypyitaw, Mandalay and Magway regions.

On behalf of the United Nations, the Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the Governments of Italy and Myanmar and to everyone affected, particularly to the families and friends of those killed and injured.

The United Nations stand ready to offer its support should that be requested.

Myanmar: In cyclone-struck rural areas, poorest people face highest food insecurity risk

More than seven months after Cyclone Komen struck Myanmar, poor rural communities are still enduring increased levels of food insecurity, according to a UN report released today. In particular, people in the hardest-hit areas of Chin and Rakhine state – already vulnerable to begin with – are still suffering, which serves to highlight their vulnerability to withstand similar emergencies in the future. Continue reading →