Posted by Kyaw Myaing on 3/1/2002, 7:41 am Here is some news about the mission of the Human Rights Rapporteur. "Pinheiro expresses satisfaction with latest mission -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regards and metta, Kyaw Myaing
Dear friends,
By Ross Dunkley and Thet Khaing
THE United Nations human rights rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro has declared his latest mission to Myanmar his third in less than a year a success. "I saw everyone I wanted to and I am satisfied with the governments co-operation," said Mr Pinheiro, who ended the 10 day visit last Tuesday. During the visit he met senior government ministers, ethnic leaders and members of the NLD, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Coinciding with Mr Pinheiros visit was the release of 11 detainees, which the UN envoy described as an important gesture. Diplomats and political observers said the releases were noted with encouragement. A total of 220 detainees have been freed since the start of last year. An observer, who declined to be named, said he believed the UN rapporteur was doing everything he could and that the general feeling was one of optimism. Mr Pinheiro had visited two correctional facilities during his visit and had spoken extensively with inmates. In an advance version of a report to the UN Human Rights Commission released last Tuesday, Mr Pinheiro refers to an "undeniable" if gradual improvement of the situation and in particular Myanmars growing openness to the outside world. "The challenge now, besides calling for more international awareness, is to encourage the confidence-building process," he said. The UN rapporteur will present a report at the Commissions annual session in Geneva beginning March 18. His report, however, will comment only on activities undertaken during his October 2001 mission to Myanmar. The UN said Mr Pinheiro would make an oral presentation to the Commission about the findings of his latest visit. In his report, Mr Pinheiro said it was time for the government to hasten the process of change. He said this would enhance the "trust building process" initiated by talks between the Government and the NLD over the past year. Mr Pinheiro also questioned the accuracy of reports about the use of child soldiers in Myanmar, saying such assertions "lack a solid factual basis for what is presented nevertheless as a widespread phenomenon and pattern". Meanwhile, a delegation from the International Labour Organisation visited Yangon last week to discuss the permanent representation of the ILO in Myanmar, a diplomatic source told Myanmar Times. The four-member delegation was led by Mr Francis Maupain, the secretary to ILO director-general, Mr Juan Somavia. The delegation met senior government officials during its six-day visit, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The delegations visit also included talks with diplomats and UN personnel last Wednesday, the source said. Mr Maupains visit comes at a crucial time with a meeting of the ILOs governing body scheduled in Geneva for March. At that time it is expected the ILO will review Myanmars efforts to eradicate forced labour. The establishment of an ILO mission in Myanmar has been on the agenda since last November and came as a result of the recommendation of a high-level independent team, which toured widely throughout Myanmar for three weeks in September 2001. The high level team was headed by eminent judge and former Australian governor-general Sir Ninian Stephen. The government has indicated that it would consider allowing ILO representation in the country if its purpose was to work for more effective cooperation and to contribute to understanding about the governments difficulties in dealing with the situation, as reported in Myanmar Times (Permanent office for ILO not ruled out). Other ideas have also been canvassed, the most palatable being the possibility of an ombudsman being appointed to adjudicate on any allegation of forced labour with any appointee to be a Myanmar citizen, most likely from a legal or distinguished public service background. In fact, the idea of an ombudsman is not familiar to most Asian nations, including Myanmar. The Government has made it clear the country will not tolerate forced labour under any circumstances, and the ILO has said a permanent mission would help in implementing these orders. It was also willing to be involved in training programs aimed at ensuring better understanding of the governments directive banning forced labour. An ILO meeting in June will decide whether to proceed with a November 2000 recommendation by the governing body over the forced labour issue. ""
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