Coconuts, Yangon :
Kofi Annan at a previous press conference hosted by the Advisory Commission. Photo: Jacob Goldberg
The Advisory Commission on Rakhine State has released a series of interim recommendations in response to “recent developments in northern Rakhine State”, including one that appears to
contradict the statements made by a Myanmar representative at the UN earlier this week.
Bold recommendations
Among the commissions boldest recommendations are calls to: close all IDP camps in Rakhine State and repatriate the residents; grant automatic Myanmar citizenship to descendants of Myanmar citizens in the state; allow full media and humanitarian access to all areas affected by recent violence; and conduct an independent and impartial investigation to ensure that perpetrators of serious human rights violations are held accountable.
UN human rights special rapporteur Yanghee Lee ruffled feathers earlier this week when she called for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of human rights abuses in Rakhine State during a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
She questioned the efficacy and impartiality of government-appointed commissions, such as the one led former general Vice President Myint Swe.
She said that commissions lacks “robust methodology or policies in place to address key issues such as witness protection or documentation of evidence.”
Myanmar’s representative on the council Htin Lynn rejected the suggestion of an independent commission on inquiry and called on critics to “show greater understanding” of Myanmar’s actions in Rakhine State.
Some anticipate that the Advisory Commission’s repetition of the suggestion may threaten ints relationship with the Myanmar government and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Previously, the government has pointed to the commission’s existence as evidence that it is committed to resolving the Rakhine State conflict.
In its initial response to the interim report, the Office of the State Counsellor said the Myanmar government concurs with the recommendations, “but a few will be contingent upon the situation on the ground.”
Kofi Annan at a previous press conference hosted by the Advisory Commission. Photo: Jacob Goldberg
The Advisory Commission on Rakhine State has released a series of interim recommendations in response to “recent developments in northern Rakhine State”, including one that appears to
contradict the statements made by a Myanmar representative at the UN earlier this week.
Bold recommendations
Among the commissions boldest recommendations are calls to: close all IDP camps in Rakhine State and repatriate the residents; grant automatic Myanmar citizenship to descendants of Myanmar citizens in the state; allow full media and humanitarian access to all areas affected by recent violence; and conduct an independent and impartial investigation to ensure that perpetrators of serious human rights violations are held accountable.
UN human rights special rapporteur Yanghee Lee ruffled feathers earlier this week when she called for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of human rights abuses in Rakhine State during a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
She questioned the efficacy and impartiality of government-appointed commissions, such as the one led former general Vice President Myint Swe.
She said that commissions lacks “robust methodology or policies in place to address key issues such as witness protection or documentation of evidence.”
Myanmar’s representative on the council Htin Lynn rejected the suggestion of an independent commission on inquiry and called on critics to “show greater understanding” of Myanmar’s actions in Rakhine State.
Some anticipate that the Advisory Commission’s repetition of the suggestion may threaten ints relationship with the Myanmar government and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Previously, the government has pointed to the commission’s existence as evidence that it is committed to resolving the Rakhine State conflict.
In its initial response to the interim report, the Office of the State Counsellor said the Myanmar government concurs with the recommendations, “but a few will be contingent upon the situation on the ground.”
