Myanmar Rohingya abuses may be crimes against humanity, UN rights experts warn
GENEVA (4 October 2017) – The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and
the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) have called on the Myanmar authorities to immediately stop violence in
northern Rakhine State, and to promptly and effectively investigate and vigorously prosecute cases of violence against
women and children.
“We are particularly worried about the fate of Rohingya women and children subject to serious violations of their human
rights, including killings, rape and forced displacement,” the experts said in a joint statement issued today.
“Such violations may amount to crimes against humanity and we are deeply concerned at the State’s failure to put an end
to these shocking human rights violations being committed at the behest of the military and other security forces, and
of which women and children continue to bear the brunt.”
The Committees urge the civil and military authorities of Myanmar to fully comply with their obligations under both the
Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women, and to exercise due diligence and prevent, investigate, punish and ensure redress for acts of private individuals
or militias under its jurisdiction that violate women’s and children’s rights.
To ensure full accountability, the Committees also call on the Government of Myanmar to grant access to and fully
cooperate with the fact-finding mission established by the UN Human Rights Council, so it can conduct thorough and
independent investigations.
The experts also highlighted that the statelessness of Rohingya women and children and their protracted displacement had
exposed them to high levels of poverty and malnutrition, and limited their access to basic rights including education,
employment and health care, as well as imposing restrictions on their freedom of movement.
“We urge the Myanmar authorities to address the needs of internally displaced Rohingya women and children, as well as of
Rohingya refugee women and children living in camps in neighbouring countries, with the support of the international
community,” the experts said.
“This should include the provision of necessary assistance and creating adequate conditions to ensure their prompt and
durable return to their places of origin, if they so wish, in safety and dignity.”
The Committees also urge the Government of Myanmar to grant access to and fully cooperate with humanitarian aid
agencies.
ENDS