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	The plight of Rohingya people in Myanmar by Reuters, OHCHR, agencies   Feb. 2017 (Reuters)   Security forces and police have been accused of committing mass killings and gang rapes and burning villages in northern Rakhine state, a U.N. investigation published this week states.   "I spoke to Aung San Suu Kyi about an hour and a half ago. I called upon her to use every means available to exert pressure on the military and the security services to end this operation," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra''ad al-Hussein said in an interview with Reuters.   "She informed me that an investigation will be launched. She said that they would require further information."   In Yangon, presidential spokesman Zaw Htay said: "These are extremely serious allegations, and we are deeply concerned. We will be immediately investigating these allegations through the investigation commission led by Vice-President U Myint Swe.   "Where there is clear evidence of abuses and violations, we will take all necessary action."   Myanmar, a mostly Buddhist country, has previously denied almost all allegations of human rights abuses against Muslims in northern Rakhine and says a lawful counterinsurgency campaign is under way.   Since it began on Oct. 9, some 70,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. The U.N. report was based on accounts gathered in January from 220 of them.   Witnesses testified to "the killing of babies, toddlers, children, women and elderly; opening fire at people fleeing; burning of entire villages; massive detention; massive and systematic rape and sexual violence; deliberate destruction of food and sources of food".   The report said the actions by security forces probably amounted to crimes against humanity.   Zeid said the perpetrators of such "horrors" must be held to account. Possible avenues would be the establishment of an international commission of inquiry or the involvement of the International Criminal Court.   The report described "area clearance operations" - gunfire and grenades dropped on villages from helicopters - which probably killed hundreds.   Nearly half of those interviewed said a family member had been killed or disappeared while 101 women reported having been raped or subjected to sexual violence.   Testimonies pointed to "a persecution on ethnic grounds which is similar to what has been, in other contexts, described as ''ethnic cleansing''," U.N. mission leader Linnea Arvidsson told a news briefing.   The investigators took evidence including photographs of bullet and knife wounds, burns, and injuries resulting from beatings with rifle butts or bamboo sticks.   The plight of the stateless Rohingya, of whom some 1.1 million live in apartheid-like conditions in Rakhine, has long been a source of friction between Myanmar and Bangladesh.   Many Rohingya had hoped that Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, would work to restore their rights once her civilian administration took power in March last year.   But within weeks of the latest crisis erupting, diplomats and aid workers were privatedly expressing dismay at her lack of deeper involvement.   "I am not going to go now into the extent to which she should have done more or less," Zeid said. "There has to be some responsibility."   Officials have so far denied observers and independent journalists access to the conflict area.   http://tmsnrt.rs/2kBSf37 http://bit.ly/2kzNQ2J http://bit.ly/2jQwCOg http://bit.ly/2jlxwSr http://fxb.harvard.edu/who-will-act-on-behalf-of-the-rohingya-people-of-myanmar/   Nov. 2016   The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, has issued a strong call to the international community not to forget the remaining human rights challenges in the country.   She highlighted concerns including a constitution which guarantees the military a quarter of the seats in parliament, worsening unrest in some areas, and ongoing discrimination against Muslim communities.   “The international community has a responsibility to continue to encourage the changes needed to ensure that everyone in Myanmar can access their fundamental human rights – regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status or location,” said Ms. Lee.   Civilians, including children, were continuing to suffer amid escalating conflict in Shan, Kachin and Kayin states, she said, with humanitarian access to conflict areas currently worse than at any point in the past few years.   In Rakhine state, she said discrimination against Rohingya and other Muslim communities was affecting their most fundamental rights. She urged the removal of all discriminatory orders, policies and practices.   Ms. Lee expressed alarm at other developments in Rakhine state, including the killing of nine police officers in the attacks on 9 October. The resulting security operations led to numerous allegations of serious human rights violations, including torture and ill-treatment during interrogation, summary executions, arbitrary arrest and the destruction of mosques and houses in Muslim villages. Tens of thousands of Muslims had fled their homes, she said.   “I am also extremely concerned that humanitarian programmes providing health, food, education and nutrition assistance have been suspended and access by humanitarian and other groups has not been granted,” the Special Rapporteur added.   The Special Rapporteur welcomed the release of 200 prisoners by the new government, but expressed concern about more than 200 others still in detention.   “A number of individuals have been arrested since the new government came to power under outdated laws which I and my predecessors have repeatedly highlighted as in need of reform, but which remain on the books,” Ms. Lee said.   She also highlighted the 2008 Myanmar constitution, which reserves 25% of seats in Parliament and three key ministerial posts for the military.   “Until there is constitutional reform, there is still much to be done for Myanmar to evolve from having a military government to a civilian one,” she said.   “Peace will be a pre-requisite for the long-term progress of Myanmar,” she added, welcoming recent talks between the government and armed groups at the Panglong Conference. “Unfortunately on the ground peace still feels remote and communities still fear attacks, abductions and abuses,” she added. 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	Humanitarian officials strongly condemn attack in Yemen that killed over 100 people by United Nations News   9 October 2016   UN chief, senior humanitarian officials strongly condemn attack in Yemen that killed over a hundred people   Senior United Nations officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have condemned an attack in the Yemeni capital, Sana''a, that killed more than 140 people and injured at least five hundred more. They also called for swift and impartial investigations into the incident.   “The Secretary-General notes that any deliberate attack against civilians is utterly unacceptable and calls for a prompt and impartial investigation of this incident,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban''s office late yesterday.   “Those responsible for the attack must be brought to justice,” it added.   Mr. Ban further expressed condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He also reminded all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law – including the fundamental rules of proportionality, distinction and precaution – to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure against attack.   According to initial reports, the attack, said to have been airstrikes by the Coalition, hit an event hall where thousands of mourners were gathered for a funeral ceremony.   The attack took place against the backdrop of worsening humanitarian situation across Yemen. According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), four out of every five of the country''s 28 million people are in real and immediate need of assistance.   In a separate statement, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O''Brien said he was “horrified and extremely disturbed” at the attack.   “This horrendous and heinous attack displayed an utter disregard for human life. It highlights once again the disproportionate risk for civilians when explosive weapons are used in urban areas,” said Mr. O''Brien, also the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “The few hospitals left able to operate continue to receive the dead and injured so the casualty figures may well rise further,” he added.   Mr. O''Brien, who had visited Sana''a last week, described the situation in the city as “heart-breaking.” He said that medical facilities were without medicines; parents were struggling to feed their children even once a day; and entire communities were without access to basic services or livelihoods.   Calling on all parties to protect civilians and stop using explosive weapons or conducting aerial bombardments in civilian-populated places, Mr. O''Brien expressed: “Surely enough is enough.”   Jamie McGoldrick, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, on behalf of the UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations in the country, expressed “shock and outrage” at the incident and called on the international community to exert pressure and influence on all parties to the conflict to ensure civilians are protected.   He also hailed the work of Yemeni first responders who, in difficult circumstances, mobilized quickly to the scene and attended to those killed and injured in what he called a “senseless act.”   * The World Food Programme says half of Yemen''s children under five are stunted, meaning they are too short for their age because of chronic malnutrition. The effects of the conflict have led to widespread food and health care shortages. At a children''s emergency unit at the Thawra hospital in the port of Hodaida, tiny patients with skin sagging over their bones writhe in beds. Hallways and waiting rooms are crowded with parents seeking help for their hungry and dying children.: http://www.wfp.org/emergencies/yemen Visit the related web page
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