As tensions were rising that
summer, the United Nations'
special rapporteur on Myanmar
was given access to the country.
She had already spoken out about
the need to protect the
Rohingyas from persecution,
causing angry protests by
Buddhist nationalists.
(man speaking foreign language)
>> NARRATOR: In Rohingya
villages, she was forced to
travel with military and
government minders.
>> I talked to the villagers,
but they were very scared.
So many of them are scared to
speak with foreigners or outside
people because of fear of
retaliation, of reprisal.
>> NARRATOR: She met with Aung
San Suu Kyi and confronted her
with accounts of Rohingyas being
killed.
Until now, Yanghee Lee has not
spoken about what happened next.
>> She was becoming very, very
defensive and she was saying
that these were all made-up
stories.
UN is so one-sided, they're not
helping the situation.
I said, you know, that I need
more access and I would really
need your support in getting
access.
And she looked at me and she
said, "If you continue the
narrative of the UN, you know,
you might not get that access."
And I stopped and I thought, I
couldn't believe my ears and I
thought to myself she must be
kidding me.
>> NARRATOR: Yanghee Lee was
subsequently accused of bias by
the Myanmar government and
banned from the country.
>> It was a political decision
she made.
She is a politician, and the
general sentiment in Myanmar is
not favorable to the Rohingyas.
