Myanmar to check human right abuses

Myanmar sets up human rights commission to investigate into cases of human rights abuses in the country, states UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, while talking to the local media. The country has established the human rights commission to protect its citizens against human rights abuses.

The organization consists of bureaucrats and scholars who are 15 in total, according to a report published in a national newspaper. Hoever, there is not detail available about the duties and jurisdictions of the panel.

The establishment of a human rights organization has occurred in the wake of newly founded civilian administration in Myanmar. This is also an initiative toward improving Burma’s image on international level.

The authority of the newly established organization to challenge the functionalities of government is not yet been declared clearly and therefore experts doubt its capacity. Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN official in Burma called on formation of human rights commission for Burma last month during his visit to the country.  He was also given permission to visit Insein jail, situated near Rangoon. At present, Insein jail holds 2,000 political prisoners of Burma.