Myanmar crisis: Rights expert urges Korea to play ‘progressive leadership role’ |
“Korea can play an important leadership role in helping Myanmar’s government continue to support its 54 million people while taking the lead in providing humanitarian support to those in dire need,” said Tom Andrews, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. human rights in Myanmar, in a statement on Monday.
‘Lead by example’
He urged the South Korean Government to build on the positive steps it has taken, including publicly addressing the violence, imposing an arms embargo, and allowing the return of Myanmar nationals to their country.
“The ROK can lead by example to prevent Myanmar nationals from being returned to Myanmar from other countries”, said the Special Representative, adding that for the brutal violence committed by the republican government, “no country should force anyone back to Myanmar”.
“The ROK has developed an unsustainable policy that protects people from being forcibly returned to Myanmar. It should be considered as a model for all countries in the region. “
People under siege
Mr. Andrews highlighted the ROK’s unique position to have a positive impact on the situation in Myanmar.
“Not only is the ROK a strong regional power with a thriving economy and a member of ASEAN+3, but as I have learned in my travels here, the people of the ROK can deeply identify with the people of it is under siege and yet still with resistance and commitment to change the shackles of a military dictatorship”, he said.
“Now is the time for the ROK to build on the positive steps it has taken and turn its political support and sympathy for Myanmar into even stronger action”.
Support action
The special rapporteur also made several suggestions, including that the ROK “attack the fraudulent elections” that the government is planning for next year, impose economic sanctions on important economic targets associated with government, and expanded on the humane treatment of the Myanmar people living in the region. ROK while encouraging Myanmar’s neighbors to “do the same”.
While the humanitarian visa program allows Myanmar nationals with valid visas in the ROK to stay legal and have access to work, he urged the Government to “deepen these efforts by ensuring that all people from Myanmar live in the ROK , including irregular migrants, can normalize their situation, to avoid abuse and exploitation. “
Travel between
During his visit, Andrews met with government officials, civil society and human rights representatives, important Korean business leaders with operations in Myanmar and ethnic groups in the country.
The independent consultant traveled to the city of Gwangju, where he visited the memorial sites of the May 18 revolution and met with members of the Gwangju Myanmar solidarity group.
Mr. Andrews, like all Special Rapporteurs, is appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights topic or country situation. His position is honorable and he is not paid for his work.
