ASEAN urged to address Myanmar crises, as special envoy named

Aljazeera
4 Aug 2021

Rights groups call on regional political bloc to work with shadow NUG, local health organisations to deliver urgent humanitarian aid.

Volunteers in protective suits carry a COVID patient lying on a bed as they try to relocate oxygen-dependent patients from the COVID centre during floods in Karen state [Karen Information Center/Handout via Reuters]

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) urgently needs to address Myanmar’s “dire” human rights and humanitarian crises, which are being compounded by a COVID-19 health emergency and recent flooding, rights groups have said, warning the regional bloc to avoid giving legitimacy to the country’s military.

Rohingya issue not Bangladesh’s responsibility alone: Kerry

Prothomalo

Diplomatic CorrespondentDhaka
09 Apr 2021,

John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate speaks at a joint briefing in the state guest house Padma after meeting with the foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on FridayCourtesy

Applauding Bangladesh for its extraordinary support for hosting 1.1 million Rohingya in the country, John Kerry, the United States’ Special Presidential Envoy for Climate on Friday said that the global community must step up its efforts in resolving the Rohingya crisis as it is not the responsibility of Bangladesh alone.

He came up with the views at a joint briefing in the state guest house Padma after meeting with the foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday.

He said the US president Joe Biden is grateful for the support of Bangladesh towards the Rohingya people.

UN warns of possible new war crimes in Myanmar

THE GURDIAN
Hannah Ellis-Petersen
Thu 4 Jul 2019

Special rapporteur tells of abductions and torture of civilians by Myanmar military and insurgent group

 The UN special rapporteur to Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, said the situation in Myanmar was worsening by the day. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Human rights abuses that may amount to fresh war crimes are being committed against civilians in Myanmar’s restive Rakhine and Chin states, the UN has said, as the fighting between the military and rebel groups intensifies.

Speaking to the UN human rights council (UNHRC), Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, detailed accounts of abduction and torture of civilians by both the Myanmar army and the rebel insurgent group the Arakan Army, which is fighting for greater autonomy in the region.

“The conflict with the Arakan Army in northern Rakhine state and parts of southern Chin state has continued over the past few months and the impact on civilians is devastating,” Lee told the UNHRC on Tuesday. “Many acts of the Tatmadaw [Myanmar armed forces] and the Arakan Army violate international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes, as well as violating human rights.”

Tackling Rohingya Crisis: Canada calls for 'transition plan'

The Daily Star 

Thursday, "March 14, 2019"

With no job or edn, refugees can be drawn to crime, radicalisation, Bob Rae says

 Bob Rae, Canadian prime minister’s special envoy to Myanmar speaks at a panel on the Rohingya crisis at the Westin Hotel Dhaka on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Photo: Porimal Palma

Canada wants a transition plan for the Rohingyas as the repatriation process appears slow amid the refugees' lack of willingness in returning to Myanmar due to insecurity and non-conducive conditions in Rakhine.

Myanmar wants 'biased' UN rapporteur replaced

UCAnews

John Zaw, Mandalay
Myanmar
March 13, 2019 

Human rights official is accused of lacking impartiality and damaging social cohesion

Yanghee Lee, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, speaks during a press conference in Yangon on July 21, 2017. Myanmar has accused her of being biased in her reports and want her replaced. (Photo by Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

Myanmar’s government has asked the United Nations Human Rights Council to replace the country’s special rapporteur on human rights because it claims she is biased. 

Jolie praises PM Hasina as exemplary leader

DhakaTribune 

February 6th, 2019

UNHCR Special Envoy Angeline Jolie shakes hand with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a courtesy call at the latter’s official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Focus Bangla

Regarding the Rohingya crisis, the UNHCR envoy assures that the UN, UNHCR and the World Bank will work together to lessen the pressure on Bangladesh