Mizzima
The UN human rights expert for Myanmar has called for decisive action from the global community in their support for human rights for the people Myanmar.
UN Special Rapporteur, Tom Andrews a former member of the US Congress, told a hearing of the US Congress’s Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at the Capitol in Washington, on 13 September that Myanmar is out of sight, out of mind for most of the most of the world, it has become invisible, and the conditions in this country have gone from bad to worse to horrific.
“I believe that Myanmar is now at an inflection point and that the actions of UN member states to support human rights now could be decisive for the people of Myanmar.”
Tom Andrews said that he was alarmed by reports that some donors, including the United States, are likely to reduce their level of support for this fund this year.
He also suggested the United States provide the requisite humanitarian aid for those who are struggling to survive both inside and outside of Myanmar, and help to mobilize support from additional states while Myanmar military regime severely restricts the distribution of life-saving aid.
“Support is also needed for those from Myanmar who have been forced to flee to neighbouring states. The Joint Response Plan, or JRP, includes food rations for Rohingya children in Bangladesh. That fund is only 32 percent funded up to this point this year,” said Andrews.
He also pointed out the need of adequate levels of support to civil society organizations in Myanmar although they have developed very sophisticated networks that can get aid to where it is needed.
He also asked the United States to maintain their current level of support for the JRP.
Andrews also remarked that no single nation is better positioned to move this action forward than the United States.
The Human Rights Commission of the US Congress stated that over 900,000 forcibly displaced Rohingya, victims and survivors of crimes against humanity and genocide, remain in Bangladesh with no solution to their crisis on the horizon.
