UN calls for further progress on human rights

(Mizzima) – The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma on Monday welcomed the amnesty and release a significant number of prisoners of conscience.

U.N. special envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana reads a press statement while on a visit to Burma. Photo: Mizzima

“I welcome the release of…individuals who have been imprisoned for exercising their fundamental human rights or whose fair trial or due process rights have been denied,” said Tomas Ojea Quintana.

While the exact number of prisoners released has yet to be determined, he said among those freed were individuals he had visited in jail.

“In this critical period for Myanmar, and in the lead-up to the by-elections in April, it is fundamental that all citizens, including those just released from prison, are allowed to play an active and constructive role in political and public life.”

“Based on lessons learnt from past elections, I call on the government to ensure respect for the rights to political participation and freedoms of opinion and expression, assembly and association – rights which are essential for the functioning of a democratic society.”

The special rapporteur also expressed concern that a number of prisoners of conscience remain in detention and called for their release without conditions and delay.

Separately, he expressed hope that there would be further progress in resolving political conflicts with armed ethnic groups throughout Burma and called on all parties involved to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law.

“I renew my call on the government to develop a comprehensive plan to officially engage ethnic minority groups in an inclusive dialogue to resolve long-standing grievances and deep-rooted concerns,” Quintana said. “And all parties to this dialogue must ensure that investigations and accountability for past gross and systematic human rights violations are on the agenda. Ending discrimination and ensuring fundamental rights for Myanmar’s ethnic minorities is essential for national reconciliation and will contribute to Myanmar’s long-term political and social stability.”

He also called for unimpeded access for the UN and relevant actors to help address the crucial needs of ethnic groups and human rights issues in the country.

Quintana was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2008. As special rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity.

For more information on Burma human rights issues, see http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/MMIndex.aspx


Src :  Mizzima

Unofficial Translation of the CNF cease-fire agreement

(Document) – The following is an unofficial translation by the Chinland Guardian of the preliminary peace agreement between the Chin National Front and the Chin State Government following the signing of a cease-fire agreement this week:

Dr. Sui Khar of the CNF and Colonel Zaw Min Oo flanked by peace delegates after
the signing of the cease-fire agreement. Photo: Chinlandguardian

In order that a permanent peace may be established:

– Drawing its basis from the announcement 1/2011 dated 18th August 2011 of the Government of the Union of Myanmar regarding the implementation of a permanent peace in the Union of Myanmar,

– Considering the need for a step-by-step practical implementation of the plans for a peace process drawn up by the Ethnic Affairs and Internal Peace Committee set up by both Houses of the People’s Parliament and the National Parliament on 18 August 2011

– Recalling that following the preliminary discussion between a delegation led by Union Minister U Aung Min, on the authorization of the President of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein, and Pu Zing Cung, Chairman of the fourth-term Conference of the Chin National Front and Joint General Secretary Dr. Sui Khar at a location in Thailand, the Chin National Front’s first Emergency Conference endorsed  its Central Executive Committee’s decision No. 9/2011, and that therefore the decision can be implemented,

– Therefore, the Chin National Front and the Chin State-level peace delegations have signed the following historic points of agreement so that a permanent peace may be established.

(1) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed to end mutual hostilities, including armed hostilities, effective from the time of the signing of this agreement.

(2) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed to open up a Liaison Office in Thantlang so that the points in this agreement may be vigorously implemented. Matters regarding the possibility of opening up Liaison Offices in Tedim and Matupi will be submitted to the relevant bodies, the result of which will be made known at a later date. The parties have agreed that the Chin National Front/Army can temporarily be based out of the areas around three Village Tracts in Thantlang Township: Tlangpi Village Tract, Dawn Village Tract and Zang Tlang Village Tract. Moreover, matters regarding the possibility of having bases in Tedim Township’s Zampi and Bukphir Village Tracts, and Paletwa Township’s Kung Pin, Para and Pathiantlang Village Tracts, will be submitted to the relevant bodies and the result made known at a later date.

(3) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed that any unarmed members of the Chin National Front and Chin National Army can freely travel to any place within the Union.

(4) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed to meet again as soon as possible, so that the parties can arrange a time and date for the Chin National Front and the Union government to hold a discussion. In holding Union level talks, the parties agreed in principle to uphold as basic principles the flourishing of ethnic issues and democracy, in addition to the three national causes.

(5) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed to allow the Chin National Front and the Chin National Army to freely hold public consultations, so that the desire of the Chin people can be brought forward as the basis of their discussion at the Union-level talks.

(6) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed to allow international Non-Governmental Organizations to operate freely in Chin State and elsewhere in the Union of Myanmar so that they can tackle the issues facing the Chin people, including the food crisis, lack of medicines, lack of access to clean water etc., in accordance with the existing laws.

(7) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed that, with financial support from the Union government, the Chin National Front will take a leading role in development work in relation to the Special Economic Zone (hereinafter SEZ) in accordance with laws governing the SEZ, so that the poorest state in the Union of Myanmar can be turned into a modern and developed State.

(8) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed that the Chin National Front and the Chin State Government work together as necessary, on development projects in Chin State by reciprocating advice and consulting with one another.

(9) The Chin State Government level peace delegation and the Chin National Front have agreed to closely cooperate in eradicating illegal poppy cultivation, drug business and drug smuggling in northern Chin State.

This agreement was signed between the Chin State Government-level peace delegation and the Chin National Front in the presence of the Union-level peace delegation leader Railway Minister U Aung Min and Union-level delegation member Environment and Forestry Minister U Win Htun, Chin State Chief Minister U Hung Ngai and members of the Peace and Tranquillity Committee on 6 January 2012.


Src  :  Mizzima