EUROPEAN UNION

Geneva, 16 April 2003

Commission on Human Rights

Fifty-ninth Session (Geneva, 17 March-25 April 2002)

Introduction of the draft Resolution on

"Situation of human rights in Myanmar"

(L.36)

On behalf of the European Union and all other co-sponsors, I have the honour to introduce under agenda item 9 the draft resolution entitled "Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar".

First of all, I would like to thank the Special Rapporteur, Professor Pinheiro, for the task he has accomplished until now. We hope he will be able to further investigate the major areas of concern identified in this draft resolution, and that he will be able to do so with the full cooperation of the Government of Myanmar.

The draft resolution before us today reflects the outcome of constructive consultations with interested delegations, including the delegation of Myanmar. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who took an active part in the shaping of this resolution.

The draft resolution welcomes recent positive developments in Myanmar, such as the release from prison of a number of persons detained for political activities, the visits of the Special Rapporteur and the Special Envoy of the Secretary General in the country, the continued cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the slight improvement in the conditions of detention, the growing awareness of the Government of the need to respond effectively to the impact of HIV/AIDS on the population and the appointment of the ILO Liaison Officer, while stessing the need for effective representation of the ILO in the country.

The draft resolution, while welcoming the freedom of movement within the country enjoyed by the leader of the National League for Democracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, expresses concern at the continued refusal of the Government of Myanmar to enter into a genuine political dialogue, and at the harassment and attempted intimidation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders and opposition activists by the Myanmar Authorities.

Moreover, the draft resolution expresses serious concerns at the continued pattern of gross and systematic violations of human rights in Myanmar, including extrajudicialkillings, rape and other forms of sexual violence, torture, political arrests, forced labour, denial of freedoms of assembly, association, expression and movement and violations of the right to an adequate standard of living.

The draft resolution also expresses grave concern at the violations of the rights of persons belonging to ethnic minorities, as well as the situation of a large number of internally displaced persons and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries.

It is our hope, Madam Chairperson, that, after discussions with interested delegations, including that of Myanmar, the draft resolution will again - as in previous years and also in the General Assembly - be adopted without a vote as a proof of the common concern and interest in the future of the people of Myanmar on the side of the international community.

Thank you.