Saudi Arabia, Japan strengthen cultural collaboration with new MoU    Slovak president meets Saudi delegation to bolster trade and investment ties    Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms across Saudi Arabia until Tuesday    Saudi defense minister meets with Swedish state secretary    Navigating healthcare's future: Solutions for a sustainable system    Sixth foreign tourist dies of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos    Hungary's Orbán vows to ignore war crimes arrest warrant for Netanyahu    Russia gives North Korea million barrels of oil, breaking sanctions: report    Al Khaleej qualifies for Asian Men's Club League Handball Championship final    Katy Perry v Katie Perry: Singer wins right to use name in Australia    Trump picks Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws    Al-Jasser: Saudi Arabia to expand rail network to over 8,000 km    OMODA&JAECOO: Unstoppable global cumulative sales over 360,000 units    Al Hilal doesn't need extra support to bring new players, CEO says    Saudi Arabia sees 73.7% rise in investment licenses in Q3 2024    Rafael Nadal: Farewell to the 'King of Clay'    Indonesia shocks Saudi Arabia with 2-0 victory in AFC Asian Qualifiers    Sitting too much linked to heart disease –– even if you work out    GASTAT report: 45.1% of Saudis are overweight    Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig wins Miss Universe 2024    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Deep fears of violent crackdown in Myanmar, Bachelet warns
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 03 - 02 - 2021

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced "deep fears" of a violent crackdown on dissenting voices in Myanmar, where the military assumed all powers and declared a state of emergency after overthrowing the civilian government and arresting top political leaders, on Monday.
"Given the security presence on the streets in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, as well as in other cities, there are deep fears of a violent crackdown on dissenting voices", High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement on Monday.
"I remind the military leadership that Myanmar is bound by international human rights law, including to respect the right to peaceful assembly, and to refrain from using unnecessary or excessive force," she added.
High Comissioner Bachelet also called on the international community to "stand in solidarity with the people" of Myanmar at this time. She also urged all nations with influence to take steps "to prevent the crumbling of the fragile democratic and human rights gains made by Myanmar during its transition from military rule."
Security Council to discuss Myanmar
Many international organizations, countries and civil society leaders also condemned the military's actions. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Myanmar.
Since Monday's events, dozens of individuals — including political leaders and elected parliamentarians — have been arrested or confined to their homes. Many journalists and human rights defenders are also reported to have been attacked or harassed.
The military takeover followed days of escalating tensions between the military and the government following the November 2020 elections, which was won by Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD). Suu Kyi along with President Win Myint are among the leaders detained by the military.
The polls were only the second democratic elections in Myanmar since the end of nearly five decades of military rule. The first elections, in 2015, were also won by NLD.
Concerns for the Rohingya community
There are also concerns over the situation of the minority, mainly Muslim, Rohingya community, who in the past have faced violent persecution by the military. About 600,000 Rohingyas are said to remain in the country's Rakhine state, including about 120,000 who are effectively confined to camps.
In 2017, over 700,000 Rohingyas were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge across the border, in Bangladesh, following widespread attacks by Myanmar's security forces, in retaliation for attacks on remote police outposts by armed groups alleged to belong to the community. Their return, remains uncertain.
Strong international response ‘imperative'
Tom Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, urged the international community to show resolve in denouncing the military's actions, and to ensure those responsible for the country's past human rights violations are held accountable.
"Decisive action is imperative, including the imposition of strong targeted sanctions, and an arms embargo until such time as democracy is restored," the independent rights expert said in a statement on Monday.
"The onus is, thus, on the international community to hold the Tatmadaw [the Myanmar military] responsible", he stressed.
A dark shadow ‘once again'
Andrews went on to note that the seizure of military power cast a dark shadow "once again" over the country, and that "the generals have created a climate of fear and anxiety."
He demanded democratic order be restored immediately, power returned to elected authorities, and all detainees released.
"We also call on the Tatmadaw to avoid any use of force against protesters or civilians, and to respect the rights of the people of Myanmar to peacefully protest and express their opposition," the expert said.
The Special Rapporteur is part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Independent of any government or organization, Special Rapporteurs work on a voluntary basis. They are not UN staff members and do not receive a salary.
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar was established by the then Commission on Human Rights in 1992. It was broadened in 2014 and 2016. — UN News


Clic here to read the story from its source.