VOA-BURMA RIGHTS-LISA SCHLEIN-GENEV

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=10/6/98
BURMA RIGHTS-LISA SCHLEIN-GENEVA 

INTRO:  THE HEAD OF THE U-N'S HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY HAS ACCUSED THE
GOVERNMENT OF BURMA, OR MYANMAR, OF INTENSIFYING REPRESSION IN 
THE PAST FEW WEEKS AGAINST PEOPLE OPPOSED TO ITS RULE.  LISA 
SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF APPEALED TO 
BURMA'S GOVERNMENT TO STOP INTIMIDATING POLITICAL DISSIDENTS.

TEXT:  IN HER STATEMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF MARY ROBINSON 
EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS THAT BURMESE OFFICIALS HAVE 
ARRESTED OR DETAINED MORE THAN 200 MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION 
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY.   AND, SHE SAYS SHE IS DISMAYED BY
REPORTS THAT THE PARTY'S LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, HAS BEEN 
SUBJECTED TO REPEATED HARASSMENT.  

U-N HUMAN RIGHTS SPOKESMAN JOSE DIAS SAYS MS. ROBINSON CONDEMNS 
THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN BURMA WHICH, THE HUMAN RIGHTS 
COMMISSIONER SAYS, FALL FAR SHORT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.  HE
SAYS THESE CONDITIONS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATHS OF A 
NUMBER OF PRISONERS WHO REPORTEDLY DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY.

                       

         IN HER STATEMENT, THE HIGH COMMISSIONER ALSO STATES THAT
         IT IS CLEAR THAT FORCED LABOR CONTINUES IN MYANMAR AND 
         THAT THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE AN OFFICIAL POLICY OF 
         FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF ETHNIC MINORITIES. 
THE INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION  (I-L-O)  RECENTLY ISSUED A REPORT
CHARGING WIDESPREAD USE OF FORCED LABOR 
IN BURMA.  IT DESCRIBES WHAT IT CALLS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS,
PARTICULARLY AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE FORCED TO ACT AS 
MILITARY PORTERS AND ARE BEATEN AND SEXUALLY ABUSED.  THE I-L-O 
INVESTIGATION ALSO SAYS THE FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF ETHNIC 
MINORITIES HAS RESULTED IN LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE TAKING REFUGE 
IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.   

MR. DIAS SAYS MS. ROBINSON CONVEYED HER CONCERNS TO THE BURMESE 
FOREIGN MINISTER, IN TALKS LAST MONTH AT THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY
IN NEW YORK.

                     

         THIS STATEMENT ALSO FOLLOWS ON THAT MEETING OF THE 23RD 
         OF SEPTEMBER WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER AT WHICH THESE 
         ISSUES WERE RAISED.  BUT, AT WHICH SHE GOT  NO  POSITIVE
         RESPONSE, I THINK.  THE HIGH COMMISSIONER WAS ALSO 
         WAITING FOR A SIGN PERHAPS FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO SEE 
         WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY MOVES IN THE DIRECTION OF 
         ADDRESSING THOSE CONCERNS. 

THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES BURMA'S LEADERS TO RELEASE 
POLITICAL PRISONERS AND TO LET PEOPLE FREELY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS 
AND OPINIONS.  SHE ALSO CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW A 
SPECIAL U-N INVESTIGATOR TO CONDUCT A FACT-FINDING MISSION ON THE
HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN BURMA.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/LS/JWH

06-Oct-98 8:04 AM EDT (1204 UTC)

Source: Voice of America
 .