UN warns of  further war crimes in Rahkine

The U.N. human rights chief said on Monday_ that recent civilian casualties in Myanmar may amount to  further war crimes and that three years after an exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar  no concrete measures on accountability had been taken. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that civilian casualties from fighting in Rakhine and neighbouring Chin states had been increasing_ including through disappearances and extra-judicial killings.  In some cases_ they appear to have been targeted or attacked indiscriminately_ which may constitute further war crimes or even crimes against humanity_ Bachelet told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Michelle Bachelet demanded action to remedy the serious rights violations suffered by Myanmar s Rohingya minority in particular. Military operations in 2017 forced some 750_000 Rohingya to flee from conflict-torn Rakhine state to Bangladesh in violence that now sees Myanmar facing genocide charges at the UN s top court. Speaking at the opening of the 45th Human Rights Council in Geneva_ Bachelet decried that the abuses against the Rohingya and other minorities in the country were ongoing.  People from the Rakhine_ Chin_ Mro_ Daignet and Rohingya communities are increasingly affected by the armed conflict in Rakhine and Chin States_ Bachelet said. She pointed to  disappearances and extra-judicial killings of civilians; massive civilian displacement; arbitrary arrests_ torture and deaths in custody; and the destruction of civilian property.  Civilian casualties have also been increasing. In some cases_ they appear to have been targeted or attacked indiscriminately_ which may constitute further war crimes or even crimes against humanity_ she said. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights lamented that no concrete measures had been taken by the government towards accountability for the  terrible human rights crisis inflicted upon the Rohingya by the military operations in Rakhine which started three years ago. Bachelet said government administrators were now reclassifying areas where Rohingya villages were previously located_ removing the names of villages from official maps and potentially altering how the land may be used.  This should end immediately_ and the prior situation should be restored_ she said. Satellite images and eye-witness accounts indicate that areas in northern Rakhine have been burnt in recent months  something contested by the government_ Bachelet added. This only underscores the need for independent_ on-the-ground investigation. Myanmar s military has always justified its 2017 operations as a means to root out Rohingya militants after attacks against around a dozen security posts and police stations. The Rohingya are widely seen as illegal immigrants in Myanmar_ denied citizenship and rights. Bachelet highlighted that most Rohingya will not be able to vote in the forthcoming November elections_ branding the situation as  disappointing .  The vast majority of Rohingya will be prevented from participating in the elections_ since they have effectively been stripped of their previously recognised rights to vote and stand for office_ she said.  Action must now be taken to properly remedy the serious violations the Rohingya have suffered_ and include them into the life of their country.  I also encourage the government to remove the barriers that impede democratic freedoms and undermine the equal enjoyment of human rights by all in Myanmar.