FAILURE TO ADDRESS DISCRIMINATION COULD UNDERMINE REFORMS IN BURMA – UN OFFICIAL

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 19 Jun 2013 10:00:01 -0400
Subject: FAILURE TO ADDRESS DISCRIMINATION COULD UNDERMINE REFORMS IN
MYANMAR – UN OFFICIAL
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

FAILURE TO ADDRESS DISCRIMINATION COULD UNDERMINE REFORMS IN MYANMAR
– UN OFFICIALNew York, Jun 19 2013 10:00AMThe United Nations human
rights chief today
<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13470&LangID=E">urged
Myanmar's Government to tackle continuing discrimination against
ethnic minorities, warning that failure to act could undermine the
reform process in the country.

"Myanmar today can act as a source of inspiration by showing how
governments can be transformed by a renewed commitment to human
rights," said the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Paillay.

"However, the ongoing human rights violations against the Rohingya
community in Rakhine state and the spread of anti-Muslim sentiment
across the State and beyond is threatening the reform process and
requires focused attention from the Government."

Several waves of clashes between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and
Rohingya Muslims, the first of which occurred in June 2012, have
affected hundreds of thousands of families in the country's western
region. Some 140,000 people, mostly Rohingya, remain displaced in
Rakhine and tens of thousands of others have fled by boat.

In March, anti-Muslim violence spread to Meiktila in Mandalay region,
leaving 43 people dead and more than 1,500 buildings destroyed,
according to Government figures. Last month in Lashio Township, Shan
State, anti-Muslim violence displaced some 1,400 people and destroyed
property, including a mosque and an Islamic boarding school.

"The President of Myanmar has made some important statements on the
need to end discrimination and violence and foster mutual respect and
tolerance between people of different faiths and ethnicities," Ms.
Pillay said. "I believe that the political will is there, but
encourage the Government to translate this will into concrete
actions."

The High Commissioner said she hoped that discussions on Myanmar
during the session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier
this month would further encourage the Government to combat
discrimination.

In its latest session, the Council urged the Government to allow
humanitarian assistance and aid to reach the people and communities
affected, and called on authorities to end impunity for all violations
of human rights.

Ms. Pillay noted that her Office (OHCHR) continues to receive reports
of widespread and systematic human rights violations against Muslims
in Rakhine, including arbitrary detention and torture by security
forces, as well as extrajudicial killings and sexual violence.

"I am concerned that those involved in mob violence against Muslim
communities in Meiktila, Lashio and elsewhere are not being held to
account, which sends out a message that violence directed against
Muslim communities in Myanmar is somehow acceptable or justified,"
Ms. Pillay said.

"The Government must urgently pursue legal and institutional reforms,
including reforming local orders and national laws that discriminate
along lines of ethnicity and religion."

Ms. Pillay also condemned a local order limiting the number of
children Rohingya Muslims can have to two, as well as a citizenship
law that discriminates against unlisted groups and has left some
800,000 Rohingya stateless.

"This is blatantly discriminatory," Ms. Pillay said. "This order
should be rescinded immediately."

In addition, she urged for a full investigation into the shooting of
three Rohingya women earlier this month. The women were killed as
they took part in a peaceful demonstration in Rakhine, when police
allegedly fired into a crowd of demonstrators in Pa Rein village,
Mrauk-U Township.

"My Office is ready to support the Government's progressive reforms
and to assist in addressing all forms of discrimination and other
human rights challenges. I therefore hope to see quick progress in
the establishment of an OHCHR Country Office in Myanmar with a full
mandate," Ms. Pillay added.Jun 19 2013 10:00AM
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