UN slams continued discrimination against Myanmar’s Muslims

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, called upon the international community Friday not to forget about ongoing human rights challenges in the South-East nation, especially the increasing unrest and discrimination against Muslim communities.

Hawzah News agency-In a briefing to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, which handles social and humanitarian affairs as well as human rights issues, she also pointed out continued detention of political prisoners and the constitutional guarantee of 25 per cent of seats in Parliament to the military.

At the same time, Ms.Lee praised recent progress but urged stakeholders to remember that much remains to be done.

“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,” the Rapporteur said.

Civilians and children continue to suffer amid the escalating conflict in Shan, Kachin and Kayin states, and humanitarian access to these locations is more difficult than it has been in recent years.

Meanwhile, in Rakhine state, the continued discrimination against the Rohingya and other Muslim communities has affected peoples’ fundamental rights.

She pressed for the removal of all discriminatory orders, policies, and practices, she said.

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