GENEVA (28 February 2012) – “The Government of Bangladesh must ensure that any policy concerning open-pit coal mining includes robust safeguards to protect human rights. In the interim, the Phulbari coal mine should not be allowed to proceed because of the massive disruptions it is expected to cause,” said today a group of United Nations independent experts. They warned that if this open-pit mine is permitted, it could displace hundreds of thousands of people and lead to the violation of fundamental human rights.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Thirteenth session
Agenda item 4
HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION

SUMMARY

The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 10/27 of 27 March 2009 and covers human rights developments in Myanmar since the Special Rapporteur's second report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC 10/19) and his report to the General Assembly (A/64/318) in October 2009.

The Special Rapporteur has travelled three times to Myanmar. The Special Rapporteur conducted his third country