HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OPENS SPECIAL SESSION ON MYANMAR

The Human Rights Council this morning opened its Special Session on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in an opening statement, said the peaceful protests and the shocking response by the Myanmar authorities were only the most recent manifestations of the repression of fundamental rights and freedoms taking place over nearly 20 years in Myanmar. The Myanmar authorities should no longer expect that their self-imposed isolation would shield them from accountability. The Government should give a full account for its actions during and after the protests, reveal the whereabouts of those detained, allow humanitarian organizations full access to them, and facilitate international monitoring. The Council should use measures commensurate to the occasion to impress on the Myanmar Government the urgent need to implement its international human rights obligations and account for past and ongoing violations.

Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, strongly condemned the use of deadly force by the security forces, and called upon the Government of Myanmar to desist from such brutal measures and to cooperate in the efforts launched by the international community. He said the international community was deeply concerned about the fate of thousands of peaceful demonstrators who had been arrested since the beginning of the protests, and he called upon the authorities of Myanmar to immediately and unconditionally release the detainees and political prisoners. The time for mere words had passed, and decisive action was now needed.

Myanmar, speaking as a concerned country, said the country’s situation was very complex. The present protests were not simple protests reflective of grievances. Myanmar was a country under heavy political pressure from some western countries. The present protests were taking place at a time when the Government had been making concrete progress. The international media had blown the situation out of proportion. Some western countries had jumped on the bandwagon and protests had thus become more violent. The Government could not accept the situation going out of control and affecting the general population unnecessarily and was determined to bring the situation back to normal. The Government was fully aware of its responsibility to lead the nation in the process of transformation towards democracy. Cooperation with the United Nations was a cornerstone of Myanmar’s foreign policy.

In the general debate, delegations said the Human Rights Council could not remain silent in the face of shocking events, such as those taking place in Myanmar. The Member States and observers of the Council now had the responsibility to decide on concrete and operational measures to alleviate the dire human rights situation in Myanmar, and to enhance the protection of its citizens. Freedom of speech and assembly were fundamental human rights. The brutal deaths of peaceful demonstrators and a journalist were shocking. The junta should be sent a clear message. Violence should cease; now was the time for the Government of Myanmar to take steps to protect human rights and democratic freedoms. Delegates urged the Burmese authorities to engage in genuine, open and inclusive dialogue with the democratic opposition and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other opponents of the regime. It was in Myanmar’s best interest to fully engage with the international community.
Some delegations also emphasized that the Council must work on the basis of cooperation and dialogue. De-escalating the rhetorical hostility being shown towards the Myanmar Government was important. A coherent response was necessary, and selective castigating of the weak and vulnerable was not a constructive way forward. The solution demanded also a strategy of development and cooperation to alleviate poverty and improve the living conditions of the people, and an approach to technical and humanitarian assistance. Sanctions only deepened the misery.

Speaking were representatives of the Philippines, Portugal on behalf of the European Union, Egypt on behalf of the African Group, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mauritius, Japan, Malaysia, Zambia, Slovenia, Brazil, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Russian Federation, Bangladesh, Germany, Romania, India, Cuba, Peru, China, Republic of Korea, Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, Bolivia and South Africa.

The Council will resume its Special Session on Myanmar at 3 p.m. this afternoon and it is expected to adopt a draft resolution on the situation in Myanmar at the end of the day before closing the Special Session.

Opening Statements

LOUISE ARBOUR, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the peaceful protests and the shocking response by the Myanmar authorities were only the most recent manifestations of the repression of fundamental rights and freedoms taking place over nearly 20 years in Myanmar. The Myanmar authorities should no longer expect that their self-imposed isolation would shield them from accountability. There had been unprecedented access to news and images of what had been happening on the streets of Yangon. However, in recent days a deafening silence had resonated from the streets that the demonstrators had not voluntarily abandoned. Concern for the safety and well being of monks and for the hundreds of people arrested, wounded or removed during the demonstrations was growing.

Ms. Arbour said the Government of Myanmar should give a full account for its actions during and after the protests, clarify the numbers of those killed or injured, reveal the whereabouts of those detained, allow humanitarian organizations full access to them, and facilitate international monitoring.

Myanmar’s regional neighbours were uniquely positioned to exercise their individual and collective influence for the protection of human rights in Myanmar, Ms. Arbour said. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ statement urging Myanmar to desist from using violence was welcome. At the 2005 Summit, world leaders had agreed that the international community had a responsibility to protect civilians against serious international crimes. The exercise of this responsibility required preventive, reactive and rebuilding measures to be put in place to avert and confront crisis and prepare for justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

It was of the utmost importance that the situation in Myanmar be clarified and monitored, the High Commissioner said. All efforts must be deployed to reach those clearly in need of international protection, including those whose fate was unknown. The Council should use measures commensurate to the occasion to impress on the Myanmar Government the urgent need to implement its international human rights obligations and account for past and ongoing violations.

PAULO SERGIO PINHEIRO, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said he was shocked and saddened by the growing number of reported deaths and serious injuries suffered by protesters, including monks and bystanders in Yangon, Mandalay, and other major cities in Myanmar. He strongly condemned the use of deadly force by the security forces, and called upon the Government of Myanmar to desist from such brutal measures and to cooperate in the efforts launched by the international community, designed to prevent the further deterioration of the human rights situation. The Human Rights Council should assess the current situation and request from the Government of Myanmar investigations and detailed information on the number of people killed and injured. Impunity should not prevail for flagrant human rights violations.

Mr. Pinheiro said he had joined the denunciation of the brutal crack-down in recent public statements with Special Procedures covering mandates on summary executions, freedom of religion, human rights defenders, freedom of expression, torture, independence of judges and lawyers, as well as arbitrary detention. All were deeply concerned by the fate of thousands of peaceful demonstrators who had been arrested since the beginning of the protests, and called upon the authorities of Myanmar to immediately and unconditionally release the detainees and political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Government must provide the Human Rights Council with a full account for its actions during and after the protests.

The failure of the international community to prevent the massacre following the 1988 people’s uprising, causing the death of over 3,000 protestors should not be repeated. The world was watching, Mr. Pinheiro said, and while the time for mere words had passed, decisive action was now needed. There was an urgent necessity to better coordinate the different approaches among Member States to find ways to contribute to the process of transition towards democracy in Myanmar. In particular, States in the region should assist the country in upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law. He was convinced that the Government of Myanmar could benefit from a more active cooperation with his mandate, which could contribute to a new dynamic for the improvement of the situation of human rights in the country. There would be no progress in Myanmar’s political transition, Mr. Pinheiro concluded, unless ordinary people had space to express their views and discontent, peacefully and in public. The starting point for a national reconciliation required meaningful and inclusive dialogue from the Government, with and between political representatives and ethnic groups.

Statement from Concerned Country

NYUNT SWE (Myanmar) speaking as a concerned country, said that after having regained its independence in 1948, Myanmar had had to face over 40 years of insurgency. It was only under the present Government, which had pursued a policy of national reconciliation, that all armed groups except one had returned to legality. Myanmar was comprised of over 100 ethnic nationalities, and it was very important for the Government to draft an enduring Constitution for all of them. However, one political party had boycotted the process. In August 2003, the Government had adopted a road map for the transition to democracy. A new Constitution would be drafted. The draft would be presented to the people in a nation wide referendum. Free and fair elections would be held. The process of transformation into a democratic State was moving ahead step by step.

However, internal and external destructive elements, which did no wish to see the completion of the process, had taken advantage of the increase of fuel prices to exploit the situation politically and had persuaded the Buddhist monks to join their protests. The country’s situation was very complex. The present protests were not simple protests reflective of grievances. Myanmar was a country under heavy political pressure from some western countries. The present protests were taking place at a time when the Government had been making concrete progress. The objective of the protests was apparently to create a situation that would eventually escalate to a rally on a scale of the 1988 unrest, so that there would be a valid justification for outside intervention without incurring the wrath of the international community. There was firm evidence that the protests had been helped both financially and materially by internal and external anti-government elements.

The protests were a long awaited chance for some western countries to initiate action to intervene in Myanmar. The Government did not stop them when they broke out, hoping they would end peacefully, but they had been used to aggravate the situation. The international media had blown the situation out of proportion. Some western countries had jumped on the bandwagon and protests had thus become more violent. The Government of Myanmar could not accept the situation going out of control and affecting the general population unnecessarily and was determined to bring the situation back to normal. It was fully aware of its responsibility to lead the nation in the process of transformation towards democracy. Cooperation with the United Nations was a cornerstone of Myanmar’s foreign policy. It was in this spirit that the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar was currently visiting the country.

General Debate

ERLINDA F. BASILIO (Philippines) said the reform of the Human Rights Council stemmed from a need to elevate the status of human rights to those of peace and security, and address all human rights in a universal and fair manner. In this spirit, the Philippines believed the role of the Council was to encourage better promotion and protection in cooperation with the international community. The Philippines had its own experience of peaceful transition to democracy. This was the time for the Government of Myanmar to take steps towards positive change, to nurture the gains made so far and to keep to the path of democracy. The Philippines, as a partner in the Association of South East Asian Nations, called on Myanmar to act in its own best interests, avoid further isolation by fully engaging with the constructive help of the international community, and redeem its democracy without further delay, as it believed national reconciliation in Myanmar could bring stability to Myanmar and the region. The Philippines wished to see a peaceful transition and a lasting political solution in Myanmar, through inclusive dialogue involving all parties concerned, facilitated by the release of all political detainees who could contribute to the process of national healing and renewal, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Philippines called on Myanmar to ensure that fundamental rights and freedoms were respected, that authorities exercised utmost restraint and avoided the use of excessive force and violence in dealing with demonstrators, and that they prevented additional fatalities.

FRANCISCO XAVIER ESTEVES (Portugal), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said urgent situations required urgent reactions. The Human Rights Council could not remain silent in the face of shocking events, such as those taking place in Myanmar. The Member States and observers of the Council now had the responsibility to decide on concrete and operational measures to alleviate the dire human rights situation in Myanmar, and enhance the protection of its citizens who wished to express their opinions in a peaceful manner. The European Union expressed its solidarity with the Burmese people, and its admiration for the courage demonstrated by monks, nuns, and other citizens who were exercising their rights of peaceful demonstration and freedom of speech. The European Union was deeply shocked by the use of force by the Government of Myanmar in breaking up the peaceful demonstrations in several cities, and by the reports of arbitrary detentions, beatings, and several killings of peaceful protesters. Among other things, the European Union urged the Government to desist from violence, to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people, to end impunity, to lift all restraints on peaceful political activity, and to free without delay all political prisoners. The European Union was concerned about the effect of recent dramatic events on neighbouring countries. The Council should act to address the dire situation of human rights, and therefore the European Union would present a draft resolution at this session.

SAMEH SHOUKRY (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that the African Group was committed to the principles of the Human Rights Charter and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was in this regard that they were concerned over the situation in Myanmar. The Council had a role to play in helping to better the situation and it should steer away from unnecessary politicization. The African Group believed that it was incumbent on the international community, particularly the Human Rights Council, to assist the Government in addressing the challenges at hand and promoting national reconciliation through an inclusive process ensuring the participation of all concerned parties. The Myanmar Government was encouraged to cooperate with the relevant mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. The credibility of the Council rested on its ability to address all situations in an impartial, non-selective and non-discriminatory manner, without politicization or double standards.

MASOOD KHAN (Pakistan), speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said the situation in Myanmar was serious. While responding to the situation, the Council should demonstrate what constructive engagement meant for the promotion and protection of human rights. Naming and shaming or punitive sanctions should be avoided, and invitations to engage with the international community should be extended. The Organization of the Islamic Conference called for non-violent solutions to the crisis, avoiding steps that would imperil the integrity of the country, and de-escalating the rhetorical hostility being shown towards the Myanmar Government, as well as demanding greater respect for human rights and aspirations of the people of Myanmar. The Organization of the Islamic Conference endorsed the call for national reconciliation and full engagement on the part of the Myanmar authorities with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar. The Organization of the Islamic Conference urged the development of a coherent response, recalling that the Council’s Special Sessions had been tools for castigating the weak and vulnerable countries while condoning impunity in the more influential members of the international community.

MOHAMED IQBAL LATONA (Mauritius) said Mauritius was gravely concerned over the recent deterioration of the situation of human rights in Myanmar, where innocent demonstrators, including Buddhist monks, were oppressed and killed in their just quest for democracy and justice. Mauritius condemned the severe restrictions imposed by the military junta on the fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar. Impunity gave rise to violations, and there was just such a situation in Myanmar. The legitimate stirrings of the people’s will were being brutally repressed in blood. It was the duty of the international community to let the people of Myanmar know that the free nations of the world stood by them. But it needed to do more than just stand by them; the time had come for the most stringent sanctions to be taken against the junta, which had proven again and again that it was totally impervious to good sense and common humanity. The junta should be sent a clear message: that the free world would not tolerate gunning down people who were demanding freedom and justice. The authorities of Myanmar should exercise restraint and engage in constructive cooperation with the United Nations with a view to establishing a broad and open national reconciliation process.

ICHIRO FUJISAKI (Japan) said that Japan had been calling the Government of Myanmar to exercise restraint and to refrain from the use of oppressive force. Despite that, it was extremely regrettable that the Government had cracked down on the demonstrations using the force which brought about the death of a Japanese citizen. The situation was appalling and not permissible. Japan strongly urged the Government of Myanmar not to exercise the use of oppressive force and to release all those arrested and detained in the recent demonstrations. Japan strongly recommended that the Government of Myanmar promote democratisation and accept the visit of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar.

HSU KING BEE (Malaysia) said Malaysia and the Association of South East Asian Nations had extended a cooperative hand to Myanmar, and encouraged national reconciliation and democracy. Deliberate steps were now needed to avoid further deterioration of the crisis. Provocation and counterproductive actions should be avoided, political prisoners should be released and the Myanmar Government should engage with all parties to establish genuine dialogue and work towards peaceful resolution of the problem. Malaysia supported the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar and urged full cooperation with him. The Council should be forward-looking in its handling of the issue, aiming for meaningful improvements on the ground. A coherent response was necessary, and selective castigating of the weak and vulnerable was not a constructive way forward.

LOVE MTESA (Zambia) said the situation in Myanmar was very disturbing, and a threat to international peace and security, and needed to be stopped immediately, before more innocent lives were lost. The people of Myanmar needed to enjoy their fundamental human rights and freedoms. It was therefore important that the military Junta of Myanmar, as the de facto custodians of power in that country, ensured that these rights and freedoms were protected and promoted. The people of Myanmar should be able to enjoy all the human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially freedom of expression and association, if peace was to be restored in that country. The Junta should also ensure that democracy was restored and the opposition was free to operate. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be immediately released from house arrest so that she could lead and give direction to her political party, and contribute to the democratic process in that country. Failure to do so would just continue to exacerbate the current civil strife in that country.

ANDREJ LOGAR (Slovenia) said that the developments of the past few days in Myanmar had raised serious concerns in the international community. The situation was followed with great and growing concern. The Special Rapporteur’s mandate was important in the light of the serious violations taking place. The absence of certain groups in the National Convention meant that it did not reflect all the parties of the country. What could the Council do to help promote the cooperation between the Government and the Special Rapporteur?

SERGIO ABREU E LIMA FLORENCIO (Brazil) said Brazil was deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar. Brazil supported a constructive solution to the situation and hoped the Special Session would strengthen cooperation between the Council and the country concerned, improve dialogue and help arrive at a constructive and balanced resolution to the crisis. Full cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on human rights on Myanmar was essential, and Brazil highlighted the usefulness of the Rapporteur’s review of the current situation. The proposed draft resolution was a basis for broad-based agreement within the Council, and Brazil was hopeful of a promising outcome.

JEAN-BAPTISTE MATTEI (France) said it was time to send a message of support and hope to the people of Burma. The Council should avoid the situation further worsening, with a daily toll of victims. The Special Session should make it clear that the Council had not forgotten the people of Burma. The brutal deaths of peaceful demonstrators and a journalist were shocking. Freedom of expression was a fundamental right, and the denial of this right was unacceptable. France hoped that specific operational measures would be taken as soon as possible to put an end to the dramatic human rights violations in Burma, both by the international community and the authorities of Burma. The authorities should respect human rights, stop all arbitrary arrests, and cooperate with United Nations mechanisms, in particular those in the field of human rights. They should authorise the arrival in the country of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma, and give him access to all prisoners, including political prisoners. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be freed, as should all prisoners of opinion. It was time for the authorities to accept engagement in an authentic process of reform and national reconciliation, which the country sorely needed, including the participation of all opposition representatives and those of minorities.

NICHOLAS THORNE (United Kingdom) said that the United Kingdom was appalled by the recent events in Burma. The Government of Burma had tried to hide its brutality from the outside world, but it had failed. The world did not know how many people had already died but it was feared that it was more than the numbers given by the Government. Condemnation of the Government of Burma had been strong inside the Council, the General Assembly and the Security Council. The current state of events was the result of a long lasting situation. There had been many abuses by the Government for over four decades; it had driven the people into poverty while it was enriching itself on natural resources. One of the steps the regime had to take was to end the violence. Neighbouring countries also had an important role to play in helping to better the situation. The United Kingdom urged the Government of Burma to grant access to the country to the Special Rapporteur. The people of Burma were also looking towards the Council for hope and support at a time of dark desperation and the Council must respond.

MARIUS GRINIUS (Canada) said the Government of Myanmar should show restraint towards the peaceful protesters. Canada was concerned about the detention of political prisoners and members of the democratic opposition. Human rights defenders also faced threats and intimidation, and impunity was systematic. Canada urged the Burmese authorities to engage in genuine dialogue with the democratic opposition and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other opponents of the regime. Canada appreciated the work of the Special Rapporteur under difficult circumstances and called for international pressure on the Burmese authorities to respect human rights and engage in dialogue with the democratic opposition. The current visit by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar was also welcome.

ANTON VASILIEV (Russian Federation) said the Russian Federation was concerned by the confrontations that were taking place in Burma which had led to loss of human life. The continuing confrontation would be fraught with negative consequences for peace, security, and the process of nation building. Both sides should show maximum restraint, and take urgent measures to return the situation to normal. The problems in Myanmar should be solved through peaceful dialogue, democratic changes, and the Road Map for Reform adopted by the people of Myanmar, moving forward to a civilian Government, taking into account the nature of the country, and without any pressure from outside. The efforts of the Secretary-General to defuse the situation were appreciated. The trip of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Myanmar should be helpful, and should help to resolve the situation. At this stage, the events which had occurred were not a direct threat to international or regional peace and security, and should not be used as a pretext for interference in a sovereign state. The humanitarian situation was far from catastrophic, and did not require the international community to take any emergency measures - it should instead use its resources to urge the country to implement a programme of democratic measures which would lead to an improvement of the situation of human rights.

MUSTAFIZUR ARMAN (Bangladesh) said that Bangladesh was observing with concern the unfolding events in Myanmar. It was not the advantage of any of the parties to allow the situation to deteriorate further. The Special Envoy’s visit was important. Bangladesh hoped that calm could be restored as a result of the deliberations during his visit, and that the initiatives of the Secretary-General would pave the way for sustainable resolutions. Bangladesh, as a friendly neighbour, wished to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar and would help contribute to that end in every possible way.

REINHARD SCHWEPPE (Germany) said current developments were deeply troubling. Freedom of speech and assembly were fundamental human rights that should not be suppressed. The Government of Myanmar was urged to desist from violence against peaceful demonstrators, engage all parties in open and inclusive dialogue, and release all political prisoners. Today’s statement by the Representative of Myanmar was not convincing. Germany supported the mission of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar and the authorities should cooperate with him and ensure a successful mission. Regional actors were urged to support the road–map process.

STELUTA ARHIRE (Romania) said Romania was concerned about the repressive measures taken by the Government of Myanmar towards its own citizens. Those measures were excessive, and in violation of the basic democratic norms regarding the freedom of expression and opinion. Romania strongly condemned the killing of peaceful protesters. The authorities of Myanmar should respect the fundamental right to life and the freedom of expression and opinion, end impunity, and release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The authorities should immediately cease the violence and embark upon an open dialogue with the political forces and civil society in order to identify the most appropriate solutions for a peaceful settlement of the crisis, as well as for the democratic development of the country.

It was high time the Council rose to the task that the international community had entrusted to it as a major instrument of early warning in the field of human rights, and to engage, as soon as possible, in preventing a further worsening of the current human rights and humanitarian crises in Myanmar. An open and intense dialogue of the Council with the authorities in Myanmar was needed. Romania urged the Myanmar authorities to respond constructively to those calls, and to implement the decisions of the international community regarding the peaceful settlement of the internal crisis.

SWASHPAWAN SINGH (India) said that Myanmar was a close and friendly neighbour. It was in this context that the recent developments were of concern to India. India hoped to see peace and stability in the country and the Government’s democratization efforts continued. Inquiries should be made into the current incidents during the protests. The visit by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy was welcome, as well as the Government’s collaboration with the United Nations system. India looked forward to a peaceful outcome.

JUAN ANTONIO FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba) said the Human Rights Council was meeting in Special Session for the fifth time. The serious developments in Myanmar meant there was a need for a respectful appeal to all parties to show restraint. There was no need for inflammatory language, and it was important to tackle the situation in a calm manner, without stereotypes or prejudice. The solution would also require a strategy of development and cooperation to alleviate poverty and improve the living conditions of the people. Sanctions only deepened the misery. Cuba welcomed the cooperation being shown towards the United Nations Special Envoy and hoped that would lead to satisfactory resolution of the human rights situation in Myanmar.

JOSE EDUARDO PONCE VIVANCO (Peru) said Peru was firmly convinced that the basic task of the Human Rights Council was to protect and promote human rights, and that that basic obligation, established in resolution 60/251 of the General Assembly, took on special relevance when there was such a crisis as was taking place in Myanmar. The report of the Special Rapporteur clearly showed that the violent repression in Myanmar was taking place in the context of a systematic Government policy of violation of human rights, going back to 1991. Very limited progress had been made in the past few years, indicating that the problems of human rights listed in the report were largely the same since 2001. All the information available demonstrated that there had been excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators, as well as arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment of civilians, whose basic human rights were being ignored.

Peru said that the Council should make an absolutely clear statement, and adopt an urgent position, as required by the crisis. The situation of the thousands of detainees needed to be considered. It was imperative that the Government allow access by the Special Rapporteur and other organizations to places of detention. The time had come to tackle the true roots of this problem, which were the systematic violations of the political and human rights of the people of Myanmar by the authorities.

LI BAODONG (China) said that China was closely following the situation in Myanmar as a neighbour, and called on all parties to use restraint so as to prevent its further complication and escalation. Myanmar was facing many challenges in overcoming its economic difficulties and the international community should help its development. China had always supported the legal Government of Myanmar, and had taken note and welcomed its cooperation with the Special Envoy. It was hoped that his visit would lead to results. The Human Rights Council should play a constructive role in relaxing the tension. Myanmar should also collaborate with the international community to that end.

LEE SUNG-JOO (Republic of Korea) said the Republic of Korea shared the concerns expressed by all for the people of Myanmar, and the Council should act in accordance with its founding General Assembly Resolution 60/251 in this regard. The Republic of Korea had hoped the Myanmar authorities would implement the seven-point road map towards democratic reform. It had been hoped that they would create a favourable environment for the participation of all parties in democratization, reconciliation and dialogue, but that hope seemed to be drifting further out of reach. The right to peaceful demonstration should be protected. National reconciliation and stability were never served by the arrest of political leaders and the suppression of fundamental freedoms. The Republic of Korea urged full engagement with the Special Envoy to reach practical solutions and meaningful steps towards revitializing the national reconciliation process. For their part, neighbouring countries should intensify their efforts in support of the reconciliation process.

GIOVANNI CARACCIOLO DI VIETRY (Italy) said silence was not an option; to address such situations was a primary duty of the international community. Italy had been following with deep concern the recent tragic developments in Myanmar, and supported the right of the people to peacefully express themselves. Italy called upon the Government of Myanmar to allow that peaceful expression; to release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; and to address the impunity of those responsible for past and present human rights violations. Italy voiced deep dissatisfaction at Myanmar’s failure to respond to the legitimate concerns of the international community. Italy firmly supported the mission of Ibrahim Gambari, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Government should also cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights, and allow him to visit the country. It was urgent to create the conditions for a genuinely free and fair political process, which could lead to a process of reconciliation in the country, and the Government should start a programme of democratic reforms in that regard.

MAKARIM WIBISONO (Indonesia) said that Indonesia had followed the unfolding events closely during the past weeks. The increased tension and casualties were disturbing. Myanmar was urged to exercise maximum restraint. The Human Rights Council should engage the Government constructively with the aim of bringing the country back to normalcy as soon as possible. Indonesia called on Myanmar to take all necessary measures to de-escalate the tension, and urged all parties to forego any violence and provocation. The past events had accentuated the urgent need to have real progress made in the democratization process in the country. The positive gesture of the Government in facilitating the meetings with the Special Envoy was welcome. That would be an important step in expediting the road map to democracy.

LUIS ALFONSO DE ALBA (Mexico) reiterated the appeal made by the Mexican Government that the Myanmar authorities establish open dialogue to overcome the current crisis and establish the basis for national reconciliation and the establishment of democracy. Mexico condemned the use of violence and called for cooperation with the international community aimed at preventing the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Myanmar. Countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations had a particular role to play in resolving the situation. Mexico had joined in calling for the Special Session in the belief that the crisis should urgently be resolved. Mexico believed that the Council must work on the basis of cooperation and dialogue. Among other things, Myanmar should benefit from technical cooperation and assistance, special attention should be paid to vulnerable groups, and a review of the situation should take account of civil and political rights, as well as economic and social rights, and also consider the issue of humanitarian assistance.

ANGELICA NAVARRO (Bolivia) said in the past Bolivia had experienced various human rights violations, and was familiar with what Myanmar was experiencing during its own time of dictatorship and oppression. Bolivia was also aware that strengthening and progressing efforts towards democracy, and working to combat impunity in the face of serious human rights violations, required support from organizations for the defence and promotion of human rights. Cooperation was key to avoid excessive use of force, arbitrary detention, and other deprivations impeding the freedoms of expression and assembly. Bolivia had noted that often violations of civil and political rights were at the root of the violations of economic, social and cultural rights, that had preceded outbreaks of such violence such as was the case in Myanmar. The Special Rapporteur should engage in a dialogue that should put an end to the precarious situation prevailing in that country.

GLAUDINE MTSHALI (South Africa) said that as members of the Human Rights Council they were all committed to the promotion of human rights, and that that should take place in a constructive manner. Myanmar should respect the obligations it had subscribed to in various international treaties. Demonstrations should take place peacefully. The Special Envoy’s mission was welcome and Myanmar should allow him to fulfil that mission. Dialogue between the Government and all political actors should take place. It was important that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be released from house arrest.


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