Kachin activists expect Yanghee Lee, United Nations Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, to uncover the truth on human rights violations in northern Shan State and Kachin State.
United Nations Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma Yanghee Lee seen during her visit to Burma last year
Lee arrived in Burma on 8 January to assess human rights violations in Burma. She plans to visit Myitkyina, Hpakant, and Laiza in the Kachin State and Sittwe, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw in the Arakan State during her visit.
“We want her to observe the internally displaced persons (IDPs) thoroughly because the IDPs in Zai Awng IDP camps in upper Laiza have to flee many times. They are facing hardship. The Burma Army attacked their camp with artillery gunfire. They have to flee again. This is the third time. [We want her to] raise awareness on the current situation to the Burmese government and the world with photos and information,” said Kachin activist Ko Naw Kham.
According to the activists, two Kachin pastors from Mong Ko area of Muse Township in the northern Shan State are still missing after they were taken by the Burma Army to an army base as a result of fighting between the Northern Alliance Army and the Burma Army in the area.
During her last visit to Burma, the Burmese government only allowed the U.N envoy to visit Lashio in northern Shan State and she was unable to visit Kutkai of Muse District where heavy clashes were taking place.
During her 12-day visit, she will collect information on various types of human rights situations in Burma and submit a report to the U.N Human Rights Council, which will be meeting in March 2017.
Translated by Thida Linn
