Ban Ki-moon urges redoubling of efforts to resolve Myanmar crisis
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today encouraged the Myanmar authorities and all relevant parties to redouble their
efforts towards achieving national reconciliation, democracy and full respect for human rights.
"The Secretary-General reiterates that the return to the status quo that existed before the crisis is not sustainable,"
his spokesperson said in a statement issued following Mr. Ban's meeting with his Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, who
just returned to New York following a week-long mission to Myanmar, his second since the Government began its crackdown
against demonstrators a few months ago.
"As a result of this visit, a process has been launched that will hopefully lead to a meaningful and substantive
dialogue with concrete outcomes within an agreed timeframe," the spokesperson added.
Welcoming the willingness expressed by both sides to work with the UN, the Secretary-General looks forward to Mr.
Gambari's early return to Myanmar, "as part of an open and regular process of mutual engagement," she said.
This afternoon Mr. Gambari will brief the President of the General Assembly on his visit and developments since the two
last met on 5 October.
Following their previous meeting, Srgjan Kerim had stressed the continued interest of the Assembly in resolving the
human rights situation in Myanmar as expressed by a number of resolutions adopted by the 192-member body.
The mandate of Mr. Gambari's mission originates from the Assembly, which requested the Secretary-General to continue to
provide his good offices and to pursue his discussions on the situation of human rights and the restoration of democracy
with the Government and the people of Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the independent UN human rights expert probing recent events in Myanmar has begun an official visit to the
country, meeting with senior government officials, security forces and Buddhist monks.
Special Rapporteur Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro has said he intends to use the 11 to 15 November visit to verify allegations of
abuses during the recent Government crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, determine the numbers and whereabouts of those
detained or killed, and collect testimony about what happened.
Mr. Pinheiro, who had not been allowed into the country since 2003, added that the invitation by the Government to visit
the troubled South-east Asian nation "sends a positive indication of the desire of the authorities to cooperate with his
mandate and the Human Rights Council."
Following his arrival in Yangon yesterday, the Special Rapporteur, who works in an unpaid, individual capacity, was
invited by the authorities to visit the Kya Khat Waing Monastery in Bago where he held talks with the Head Abbot of the
Monastery, according to the UN Information Centre in Yangon. Later, Mr. Pinheiro met with the Board of Trustees of the
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
This morning he met with senior officials from, among others, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Law Enforcement, the Yangon
Peace and Development Council and the Yangon General Hospital.
Later in the day, he met with the senior abbots of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (the State Governing Body of
the Buddhist Clergy). Mr. Pinheiro also visited two monasteries involved in the recent demonstrations.
In addition, the Special Rapporteur visited the former Government Technical College, where he met with the personnel in
charge of the detainees held there during the days of the demonstrations, as well as with security forces from the No. 7
Police Battalion Control Command Headquarters in Kyauktan, Thanlyin, where some people had been held.
Mr. Pinheiro, who also visited the Insein Jail, expects to interview detainees before the end of his mission and receive
further details on their records.
He is expected to travel to Myanmar's new capital, Nay Pyi Taw, tomorrow.
ENDS