UN investigator told to avoid ‘controv ersial’ terms

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar was asked yesterday to refrain from using “controversial” terminology to refer to people in Rakhine State.

Yanghee Lee met with Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, the first meeting during the UN monitor’s fourth official visit to the country.

The foreign minister reportedly asked Ms Lee to avoid using the term “Rohingya” during her trip. The current administration has said its official position is to avoid using either “Bengali” and “Rohingya” to refer to a Muslim community in Rakhine State, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya.

“The government and Daw Aung San Su Kyi herself also avoid using this word. It is not useful to the community and it could cause tensions by using it,” said U Zaw Htay, of the President’s Office. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)