Myanmar commission investigates human rights violation allegations

YANGON: Myanmar’s Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) on Rakhine issue will start work on gathering and analysing information and evidence to investigate human rights violation allegations through setting up a subcommittee, states a press release issued late Sunday.

According to Xinhua news agency, the press release came at the end of ICOE Chairman Ambassador, Rosario Manalo’s visit to Myanmar. During her stay in Myanmar, Manalo, who was former Philippine deputy foreign minister, met with Myanmar Vice-President U Myint Swe, who is Chairman of the Investigation Commission for Maungtaw, Rakhine and was engaged in a dialogue with other related government officials on Rakhine.

The meeting discussed the need for external experts in the areas of information and communication, legal, forensic and criminal investigation, the release said, adding that the next meeting would be held in December, while the ICOE website would be launched on Oct 12.

The Myanmar Government formed the ICOE on July 30, as part of its national initiative to address reconciliation, peace, stability and development in the state, tasking the commission to investigate allegations of human rights violation and related issues following the terrorist attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army last year.

Ch aired by Manalo, the four member commission will be assisted by national and international legal and technical experts in its independent enquiry work. The Myanmar Government has reiterated that if there was violation of human rights by security forces in Myanmar with firm evidence, action would be taken according to law.