UN rights chief concerned over Assam, Rohingya issues

GENEVA, Sept 09 (Agencies): The UN rights chief on Monday voiced alarm over the situation in Kashmir, following India's decision to revoke the autonomous status of the Muslim-majority region last month.
"I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent actions by the government of India on the human rights of Kashmiris," Michelle Bachelet said in her opening statement to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
She pointed among other things to "restrictions on internet communications and peaceful assembly, and the detention of local political leaders and activists."
Bachelet said she had urged both India and Pakistan to ensure that rights in the region are respected and protected.
But she said she had "appealed particularly to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews, to ensure people's access to basic services, and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained."
"It is important that the people of Kashmir are consulted and engaged in any decision-making processes that have an impact on their future," she said.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is scheduled to address the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, with a speech expected to focus heavily on the situation in Kashmir.
Bachelet also voiced concern Monday over India's controversial citizenship register in Assam state, which critics fear is a cover for the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to expel Muslims.
Pointing out that some 1.9 million people had been excluded from the final list, published on August 31, Bachelet lamented that the register has "caused great uncertainty and anxiety".
"I appeal to the government to ensure due process during the appeals process, prevent deportation or detention, and ensure people are protected from statelessness,"
Meanwhile, Bachelet urged the government of Myanmar to cooperate with the international mechanisms that have been established both to ensure justice and consolidate Myanmar's democratic transition.
"In Myanmar, it's now two years since horrific violations by the Army, including killings and sexual violence, drove nearly a million Rohingya people out of the country," she said adding that the need for accountability is compelling and urgent.
While making her opening statement at the 42st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Bachelet said now Rakhine State is experiencing another conflict between the so-called Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw, and another wave of human rights violations and displacement.
This is affecting both ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya communities and will make it even harder for refugees and internally displaced persons to return, she said.
Bachelet said the recent escalation of clashes in Shan State and long-standing conflicts in Kachin State also causes displacement and human suffering and undermine the peace process.
This Council session will hear the final report of the Fact Finding Mission, and she commended it for giving the world a clear picture of the gravity and scale of the violations that have been committed across Myanmar.
"I'm very pleased to note that the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which was established by the Council in its historic resolution 39/2, was declared operational by the Secretary-General in August," said Bachelet.