Myanmar Needs to Do More to Improve Human Rights Situation, Says UN Expert
New York, Aug 25 2011 - While the new Government of Myanmar has taken steps to improve the human rights situation in the
country, it needs to deploy greater efforts to address serious concerns such as the continuing detention of a large
number of political prisoners, a United Nations expert said today.
Earlier this year Myanmar’s newly-convened Parliament elected a new President and two vice-presidents, a move welcomed
by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who had stated at the time that he hoped it would lead to the formation of a more
inclusive civilian government that is broadly representative of all parties and more responsive to the aspirations of
the people.
“This is a key moment in Myanmar’s history and there are real opportunities for positive and meaningful developments to
improve the human rights situation and bring about a genuine transition to democracy,” Tomás Ojea Quintana said at the
end of his five-day mission to the South-East Asian nation.
“The new Government has taken a number of steps towards these ends. Yet, many serious human rights issues remain and
they need to be addressed,” added Mr. Quintana, who has served since 2008 as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation
of human rights in Myanmar.
“Of key concern to me and to the international community is the continuing detention of a large number of prisoners of
conscience,” he stated in a news release issued in Yangon.
The expert said that in his meetings with the Government, he conveyed his belief that their release is a “central and
necessary” step towards national reconciliation and would bring more benefit to Myanmar’s efforts towards democracy.
Last December, Mr. Quintana had urged the Government to release at least 2,202 prisoners of conscience still detained
one month after the freeing of pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, saying many of the prisoners
are seriously ill as a result of harsh jail conditions.
He had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Suu Kyi during his just completed visit, as well as with other Government
ministers and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, he saw the new Parliament in session in Naypyitaw and visited
Insein Prison, where he met with prisoners of conscience.
In his end-of-mission statement, the Special Rapporteur voiced concern about the continuing allegations of torture and ill-treatment during
interrogation, the use of prisoners as porters for the military, and the transfers of prisoners to prisons in remote
areas where they are unable to receive family visits or packages of essential medicine and supplemental food.
Other concerns highlighted include tensions in ethnic border areas and armed conflict with some armed ethnic groups,
which engender serious human rights violations, including attacks against civilian populations, extrajudicial killings,
sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, internal displacement, land confiscations, the recruitment of child
soldiers, as well as forced labour and portering.
“I call on the authorities and all armed groups to ensure the protection of civilians in conflict-affected areas and to
accelerate efforts towards finding a political solution to the conflict,” he stated.
Among his recommendations, Mr. Quintana encouraged the Government to take the necessary measures for investigations of
human rights violations to be conducted in an independent, impartial and credible manner.
“Justice and accountability measures, as well as measures to ensure access to the truth, are fundamental for Myanmar to
face its past and current human rights challenges, and to move forward towards national reconciliation,” he stated.
UN independent experts, including Mr. Quintana, report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council. They work in an
independent and unpaid capacity.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS