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UN Investigator Wants Myanmar Brought Before International Criminal Court

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - A U.N. investigator is calling for Myanmar to be
   referred to the International Criminal Court and tried for alleged
   international crimes, including the persecution of ethnic minorities
   that have forced millions to flee, fearing for their lives. The
   investigator has submitted a report on Myanmar to the U.N. Human Rights
   Council.

   This is Yanghee Lee's last report to the Human Rights Council as
   special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar. When Lee
   assumed her post six years ago, she said she was optimistic that by now
   democratic values would have been firmly established in the country.
   She addresses the council on a video link from Seoul.

   "However, devastation and tragedy transpired throughout my tenure on
   the mandate, and that rather than observing a nation that protects and
   respects human rights, the world continues to watch as rights
   violations routinely occur, and Myanmar stands accused of the most
   serious crimes under international law," she said.

   Lee highlights the many alleged abuses resulting from the conflict
   between Myanmar's military and the insurgent Arakan Army, which is now
   into its second year of fighting in Rakhine State. The Arakan Army
   formed in 2009 and has been fighting in Rakhine against government
   forces.

   Lee condemns an internet blackout imposed by the government eight
   months ago. She said that is adversely affecting one million mostly
   ethnic people in Rakhine, including the Rohingya Muslim minority.
   Despite the blackout, Lee said she is able to receive daily reports
   about villages coming under fire, people fleeing their homes and many
   losing their lives.

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