Burma Human Rights Network and 22 Organizations Call on The International Community to Pressure Myanmar to Give Full Access to UN-Mandated Fact Finding Mission
27th April 2017, London, UK – The Burma Human Rights Network and 22 Organizations and Individuals have released an open letter calling upon The United States, United Kingdom, and the member states of the European Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to strongly encourage the Myanmar government to fully cooperate with the forthcoming Fact-Finding Mission into the human rights situation in Rakhine State, as well as Kachin and Shan States, as recently mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The
undersigned are: Angkatan Belua Islam Malaysia (ABIM), Asian Forum for Human
Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), ALTSEAN-Burma, Amnesty International,
Burma Campaign UK (BCUK), Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN), Burmese Muslim
Association (BMA), Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Civil Rights
Defenders, International State Crime
Initiative, Fortify
Rights, Geutanyoe Foundation, Global Peace Mission Malaysia, Gusdurain Network
Indonesia, Human Rights Now, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Majlis Persundingan
Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM), Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief
(MAHAR), Refugees International, Restless Beings, The Arakan Project and
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
The UN Fact-Finding Mission is largely in response to events following
October 9th of 2016 when a new wave of atrocities began after an attack on
three border guard police outposts near the City of Maungdaw. The attacks
resulted in the deaths of nine police officers. In response Myanmar began
conducting “clearance operations” against the group responsible for the
attacks. It became clear within days that the operations conducted by security
forces were largely targeting the civilian population as what can only be
described as collective punishment. Very soon after the attacks accounts
emerged of Rohingya women who had been gang raped by security forces, civilians
shot while fleeing, men being arbitrarily detained and tortured and a
systematic campaign to burn down entire Rohingya villages. The crackdowns
lasted over three months and drew unprecedented rebukes from the international
community.
In particular the
undersigned of the letter have stressed concerns about Burma’s history of
delaying and hindering such endeavors and is calling on the International
Community to use their influence to help ensure a quick, thorough and
unhindered investigation. High-level
and sustained international engagement will be needed to ensure the authorities
provide the Fact-Finding Mission with free and unfettered access to all the
areas to which they are seeking access.
The undersigned also want to
emphasize the safety of witnesses so they can speak freely to investigators
without any fear of retaliation. The
authorities must ensure the safety of witnesses to speak freely without
reprisals from state or non-state actors.
While the situation remains
volatile and may easily worsen if not addressed we believe there is still time
for positive change that will make room for peace and justice if those with the
power to create change are willing to do so. If the Fact-Finding Mission can be
completed adequately it will allow the most vulnerable greater access justice
to address their grievances while also allowing the Burmese Government a chance
to prove their claims, reflect on findings and then to self-correct and improve
in the future to reduce egregious behaviors. The problems in Rakhine State are
far from an internal affair and as time passes it become increasingly difficult
to introduce measures to restore calm and move towards a more peaceful
situation.
Notes
for Editors:
Background on current situation:
On October 9th three Border Guard Police posts near the Burma-Bangladesh border were overrun by a group of militants believed to be ethnic Rohingya, a marginalized Muslim ethnic group in western Burma. Nine police officers were killed in the attack. In response the Military moved to Maungdaw, near where the attack happened. The subsequent crackdown on the township and surrounding areas has been especially harsh with observers from the UN and human rights groups saying there is strong evidence of Crimes Against Humanity.
The United Nations mandated a fact-finding mission in response to evidence of human rights violations in Burma with an emphasis on Northern Rakhine State. The Burmese Government has thus far been uncooperative with establishing such a mission.
Background on the Burma
Human Rights Network (BHRN)
Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) works for human rights, minority rights and religious freedom in Burma. BHRN has played a crucial role advocating for human rights and religious freedom with politicians and world leaders.
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Please contact:
Kyaw Win
Executive Director of the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
E: kyawwin78@gmail.com
T: +44(0) 740 345 2378