Arakan News Agency
A UN mission investigating allegations of torture, rape and killing of Muslim Rohingya will only “aggravate” tension in the western state of Arakan, security adviser Aung San Suu Kyi told diplomats on Tuesday.
Myanmar has refused to issue visas to three UN-appointed experts in May to investigate allegations of abuses by the armed forces.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Ms. Nikki Haley called on Myanmar last week to accept the mission, which was authorized by a Human Rights Council resolution.
Thung Tun said in remarks to UN officials and diplomats, including US Ambassador Scott Marciel, “We have made our own decision because we found it was not constructive.”
He added that the decision of other countries including China and India to join Myanmar and distance itself from the decision is “moral.”
“We feel that this mission will only lead to a deterioration of the situation on the ground.”
The treatment of the nearly one million Muslim Rohingya has become the most controversial human rights issue as the country turns to democracy after decades of strict military rule.
Rohingya has no nationality and is classified as illegal migrants from Bangladesh, despite their centuries-old roots in the region.
The government renounces violence but has done little to improve Rohingya.
