UN envoy and Japanese officials urge Myanmar to begin talks with opposition
In Tokyo today, the United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar joined senior Japanese officials in calling on authorities
in the South-East Asian nation to begin a genuine dialogue with the opposition to resolve the ongoing crisis there.
"The Government and the opposition must sit down together and discuss the future of their country," Ibrahim Gambari told
reporters in the Japanese capital, the current stop on a six-nation tour of Myanmar's regional partners.
While in Tokyo, the Special Envoy held meetings with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura,
Vice-Foreign Minister Osamu Uno, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka.
They discussed the need for the Myanmar Government to seize the current window of opportunity generated by the recent
crisis to start dialogue with the opposition without delay and pursue an inclusive process of national reconciliation,
according to a UN spokesperson.
They also discussed Japan's readiness to contribute to international efforts to assist Myanmar in meeting the
humanitarian and socio-economic needs of its people as the country takes concrete steps to accelerate its transition to
democracy.
Prior to arriving in Japan, Mr. Gambari met with officials in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and China. He is
expected to return to Myanmar in the first week of November, his second visit to the country since Government forces
began using force to respond to peaceful protesters in August.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who dispatched his Special Envoy to consult with regional leaders on Myanmar, has also
called on the Government to "seize the opportunity to take bold actions towards democratization and respect for human
rights."
"Unless the Government decides to open up and broaden the process that is to define Myanmar's future, the demands for
greater inclusiveness, participation and transparency in order to accelerate the transition to democracy and civilian
rule are likely to continue," he says in a report released today on the human rights situation in the country.
The Secretary-General adds that recent events constituted a "serious setback" for the country, as the Government's
repressive response to the demonstrations comes at a time when Myanmar is striving to move forward towards national
reconciliation and the restoration of democracy.
Mr. Ban remains deeply concerned about reports of continued human rights violations, particularly the excessive use of
force and arbitrary detentions in the wake of the demonstrations, and the large number of individuals arrested without
due process, according to the report.
The Secretary-General's Special Representative on the situation of human rights defenders has also expressed her
concerns about the ongoing situation in Myanmar, calling it "the most glaring illustration of the suppression of the
freedom to protest."
"Exercise of the right to protest plays an important role both for the promotion and the protection of human rights,"
Hina Jilani told the General Assembly committee dealing with social, humanitarian and cultural issues, known as the
Third Committee, yesterday.
"Where States have enabled the realization of this right, values of democracy, pluralism and tolerance have gained
support," she added.
In addition, the UN Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sérgio
Pinheiro, will make an official visit to the country to look into recent events there.
ENDS