Human rights issues, UN human rights bodies and mechanisms
Websites/Multiple Documents
| Title: | | Human Rights Issues: UNHCHR Page |
| Description/subject: | | List of human rights issues, with links to specific pages |
| Language: | | English (also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) |
| Source/publisher: | | United Nations |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 03 June 2003 |
|
| Title: | | Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council |
| Description/subject: | | Thematic and country rapporteurs, Working Groups etc. |
| Language: | | English (also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) |
| Source/publisher: | | United Nations |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 03 June 2003 |
|
| Title: | | Universal Periodic Review (UPR) - OHCHR web-page |
| Description/subject: | | Main OHCHR page on the UPR..."The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations. As one of the main features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed.
The UPR was created through the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council itself. It is a cooperative process which, by 2011, will have reviewed the human rights records of every country. Currently, no other universal mechanism of this kind exists. The UPR is one of the key elements of the new Council which reminds States of their responsibility to fully respect and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The ultimate aim of this new mechanism is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur..." |
| Language: | | English (also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) |
| Source/publisher: | | United Nations |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 13 December 2009 |
|
| Title: | | Universal Periodic Review - Link to OBL UPR section |
| Description/subject: | | We have placed the UPR material under: UN System > Human Rights Council > Universal Periodic Review - follow this link |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Online Burma/Myanmar Library |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 26 January 2010 |
|
Individual Documents
| Title: | | 'Primitive people': the untold story of UNHCR’s historical engagement with Rohingya refugees |
| Date of publication: | | October 2018 |
| Description/subject: | | "‘These are primitive people. At the end of the day they will go where they are told to go.’ These were the words of a senior UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) staff member in 1993, during a meeting convened to discuss potential solutions for the 250,000 Rohingya refugees who had recently fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh. The dismissive tone of the statement was emblematic of the organisation’s engagement with the Rohingya, which for many years showed limited respect for their rights and a readiness to abandon UNHCR’s own protection principles. Drawing on previously unpublished material from the UNHCR archives, this article shows how, in both the 1970s and 1990s, large numbers of Rohingya refugees were returned to Myanmar in a manner that was premature, involuntary and unsafe. The article concludes by asking whether a similar scenario could develop in relation to the 700,000 Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh in the second half of 2017..." |
| Author/creator: | | Jeff Crisp |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | "Humanitarian Exchange Magazine" - The Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) |
| Format/size: | | html (82K) |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs25/Crisp-2018-10-'Primitive_people'.html |
| Date of entry/update: | | 25 October 2018 |
|
| Title: | | MYANMAR: COOPERATION WITH UN NEEDED, UN MUST PUT RIGHTS UP FRONT (UN STATEMENT) |
| Date of publication: | | 12 March 2018 |
| Description/subject: | | The ICJ today delivered a statement at the UN Human Rights Council calling on Myanmar to cooperate with UN mechanisms and for all UN agencies in the country to make human rights central to their approach.
The statement, made in the interactive dialogue with the international Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar, and the Special Rapporteur, read as follows:
“The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomes the update of the Independent International Fact Finding Mission. In relation to crimes under international law, the ICJ encourages the experts to continue to develop further specific recommendations for securing criminal accountability and providing redress. |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | International Commission Of Jurists via "Progressive Voice" |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Alternate URLs: | | https://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/2018/03/12/myanmar-cooperation-with-un-needed-un-must-put-right... |
| Date of entry/update: | | 24 March 2018 |
|
| Title: | | Peoples under Threat 2017: Killings in the no - access zone |
| Date of publication: | | 17 July 2017 |
| Description/subject: | | "Vulnerable peoples are living at deadly risk in a growing number of no-go zones around the world, says Minority Rights Group International (MRG) in the 2017 Peoples under Threat index and online map.
This year’s index, which seeks to identify those countries around the world that are most at risk of genocide, mass killing or systematic violent repression, highlights how lack of access from the outside world allows killing to be perpetrated unchecked in disputed territories, militarized enclaves and, in some cases, whole countries.
‘More and more governments are refusing access to international monitors, claiming that it is an interference in their in their internal affairs or even that they cannot guarantee monitors’ safety. What exactly are they trying to hide?’ says Mark Lattimer, MRG’s Executive Director..." |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | reliefweb |
| Format/size: | | pdf (138K) |
| Alternate URLs: | | https://reliefweb.int/report/world/peoples-under-threat-2017-killings-no-access-zone
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Peoples-under-Threat-2017.pdf |
| Date of entry/update: | | 29 December 2017 |
|
| Title: | | End of mission statement by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, 1 July 2016 |
| Date of publication: | | 01 July 2016 |
| Description/subject: | | Conclusion:
"...Let me conclude by reiterating my firm belief that Myanmar’s young democracy can only progress if human rights are fully mainstreamed into its institutional, legal and policy framework. Building a culture of respect for human rights must be a priority now and in the future. While I am aware of the need to give space and time for the new Government to address the many complex challenges facing the country, I must remain constructively and critically engaged and vocal in encouraging and advocating for greater progress on human rights. I must also continue to hold Myanmar accountable to its international human rights obligations. That is my mandate as Special Rapporteur.
The international community also has a responsibility in this regard. In the rush to forge or strengthen political or economic ties, international actors must continue to prioritize human rights, particularly in business and investment relations. International actors should not undermine human rights priorities, including by remaining silent when confronted with human rights concerns or at worst, becoming complicit in perpetuating human rights abuses. The international community must remain fully engaged on human rights issues in Myanmar. It should also remain committed to providing necessary assistance and support to further the reforms in line with international human rights standards. It is vital that all actors work together to ensure human rights are respected and protected across Myanmar.
At the start of my visit, I stated that my objective, as Special Rapporteur, is to continue to work closely with the Government and people of Myanmar, for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. I reaffirm that pledge to you now"......
The Alternate URL contains the Special Raporteur's programme, with list of people and institutions met. |
| Author/creator: | | Yanghee Lee |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | UN Information Centres via Reliefweb |
| Format/size: | | html |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://yangon.sites.unicnetwork.org/2016/07/01/end-of-mission-statement-by-the-special-rapporteur-o... |
| Date of entry/update: | | 02 July 2016 |
|
| Title: | | UNHCR Global Report 2012 - Myanmar |
| Date of publication: | | 2012 |
| Description/subject: | | Operational highlights: "ï¬
Joint inter-agency assessments of the situations in Kachin and Rakhine States led to the launching of two UN response plans.
UNHCR leads the protection sector in the two States as well as the shelter, non-food items (NFIs) and camp coordination and
camp management (CCCM) clusters...
ï¬
UNHCR assisted more than 50,000 people displaced by confl ict in Kachin State, providing them with NFIs, shelter, community-
based camp management structures, and focusing on extremely vulnerable individuals...
ï¬
In Rakhine State, UNHCR assisted more than 75,000 displaced people by providing shelter and NFIs...
ï¬
In south-eastern Myanmar, the Offi ce responded to the needs of some 65,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), including
extremely vulnerable individuals, by providing them with safe water, basic health care, sanitation, vocational training, NFIs and
civil documentation...
ï¬
UNHCR began preparing for potential voluntary repatriation to Myanmar and established cross-border coordination and
collaboration procedures with UNHCR offi ces in Thailand and other countries in the region...
ï¬
Advocacy to improve the situation of people without citizenship in Rakhine State was pursued..." |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | UNHCR |
| Format/size: | | pdf (1MB) |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=49e4877d6&coi=MMR&scid=49aea93a73&keywords=opera...
http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/UNHCR-2012-Global_Report_%20Myanmar-en.pdf |
| Date of entry/update: | | 24 October 2015 |
|
| Title: | | UNHCR Global Report 2011 - Myanmar |
| Date of publication: | | 2011 |
| Description/subject: | | Operational highlights: "l
UNHCR strengthened protection in northern Rakhine
State (NRS) by improving monitoring programmes and
intervening with the authorities where needed. It also
increased support for persons with specific needs, and
carried out programmes to assist women and girls, as well
as community self-help initiatives...
l
The establishment of the NRS Protection Working
Group boosted protection monitoring, and advocacy
efforts, besides improving collaboration with education
and health authorities...
l
In south-eastern Myanmar, some 65,000 displaced people
benefited from UNHCR projects and gained access to
safe water, basic health care and primary education...
l
UNHCR coordinated the Protection, Shelter/Non-food
Items (NFIs) and Camp Coordination and Camp
Management (CCCM) clusters in response to the
conflict-related internal displacement in Kachin State,
providing assistance to some 50,000 people..." |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | UNHCR |
| Format/size: | | pdf (396K) |
| Alternate URLs: | | http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=49e4877d6&coi=MMR&scid=49aea93a73&keywords=opera... |
| Date of entry/update: | | 24 October 2015 |
|
| Title: | | How to Promote Human Rights in the World's Most Repressive States: Lessons from Myanmar |
| Description/subject: | | Abstract: "For two decades, Myanmar sat at the top of the international human rights agenda. With recent political changes, this may now be a thing of the past, but the bad old days hold important lessons that should not be forgotten. This article draws on interviews conducted mainly inside Myanmar over a period of 15 years to evaluate, contrast and compare the impact of different international human rights policies on the ground. It is argued that while the effects of both Western ostracism and regional business as usual have been largely counterproductive and often harmful to the Myanmar people, principled engagement by the United Nations and other international organisations has shown significant potential to help promote human rights. This is a lesson which may be worth heeding in other repressive states." |
| Author/creator: | | Morten B. Pedersen |
| Language: | | English |
| Source/publisher: | | Australian Journal of International Affairs, 67:2, 190-202 |
| Format/size: | | pdf (189K) |
| Date of entry/update: | | 24 March 2016 |
|
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