UN Human Rights Council Holds Emergency Session on Burma
By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
02 October 2007
Burma has come in for sharp and sustained criticism by delegates attending a one-day emergency session of the U.N. Human Rights Council. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva that the council is expected to call for an independent investigation of the government＇s brutal crackdown on Buddhist monks and other peaceful protesters.
High Commissioner Louise Arbour, during a special session of the Human Rights Council concerning the Human Rights situation in Burma in Geneva, 02 Oct 07
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour set the tone of the session by condemning what she called the shocking response of the Burmese government in repressing the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.
She said Burma＇s military rulers can no longer expect their self-imposed isolation will shield them from accountability. She said modern technology has allowed the world to see the brutal manner in which the government deals with peaceful protests.
The high commissioner expressed concern that in recent days a deafening silence from the streets of Rangoon has replaced the sound of monks and ordinary people clamoring for their rights.
"As the protesters are becoming increasingly invisible, our concern only increases for the safety and well-being of the monks, presumably confined to their monasteries, if not worse, and for the hundreds of people arrested in the course of the demonstrations," said Arbour. "And, for those wounded and removed from the streets to unknown locations."
Burma＇s military rulers say about 10 people have been killed. Demonstrators put the figure much higher.
High Commissioner Arbour called for Burma＇s government to provide exact information on the number of people killed and injured as well as the whereabouts and conditions of those arrested.
UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Burma, in Geneva, 02 Oct 2007
The appeal was echoed by U.N. Special Investigator on Burma Paulo Sergio Pinheiro. He told the Council the military rulers have many questions to answer.
He denounced the brutal crackdown, the killings, torture and arbitrary detention of monks and other peaceful demonstrators since protests broke out in August over the rise in fuel prices.
"And I call on the authorities of Myanmar to immediately and unconditionally release the detainees and political prisoners, including the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi," said Pinheiro. "The government must provide the Human Rights Council with a full account for its actions during and after the protests, including the number and conditions of detainees."
The criticism seemingly has had no affect on Burma＇s delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The deputy permanent representative of Burma to the United Nations in Geneva, Nyunt Swe, 02 Oct 2007
Burmese official Nyunt Swe said the government is making progress on the road to democracy. He blamed Western-backed elements for trying to disrupt the process by exploiting the rise in fuel prices.
"The government has found evidence that these protests were being helped both financially and materially by internal and external government elements," he said.
Nyunt Swe said Burma＇s government has shown great restraint in putting down the demonstrations. He said Burma wants to work closely with the United Nations and that is why his country＇s military rulers agreed to meet with U.N. Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari.
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