[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

ON THE YOKOTA REPORT



ON THE REPORTS OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR OF THE COMMISSION ON
HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR
 
 
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar requires him to
report to the Commission on Human Rights ("the Commission") and
to the General Assembly ("GA"). He produces four public reports a
year: an oral and a "comprehensive" report to the Commission, and
an oral and an "interim" report to the GA. The reports complement
each other.
 
The report which has just been issued, namely the "interim"
report to the GA dated 16 October 1995, consists of: 
 
1) Introduction to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur;
 
2) Documents and factual statements regarding the Special         
   Rapporteur's communications with the Government of Myanmar;
 
3) A summary of the allegations he received and which he          
   transmitted to the Government of Myanmar; and
 
4) The Government's reply to the allegations.
 
It does not contain views, conclusions or recommendations by the
Special Rapporteur. 
 
The other three reports are based on the most recent visit by the
Special Rapporteur to the country, as well as on materials
received, and may contain views, conclusions and recommendations.
 
David Arnott
 .................................................................
 
SELECTION OF STATEMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF MYANMAR'S RESPONSE
TO THE MEMORANDUM OF ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE INTERIM REPORT:
 
 
"No instances of summary or arbitrary execution can be permitted
in Myanmar and no provision is made in the law for such." 
(para 1)
 
"Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are also
illegal in Myanmar." (para 2)
 
"In Myanmar, a person cannot be arrested and detained if it is
not in accordance with the law. ...." (para 9)
 
"There should exist no anxiety or fear of torture or ill
treatment in detention as such practices are strictly prohibited
in the Prison Manual and the Police Act, and the authorities
concerned scrupulously follow the regulations laid down."
(para 15)
 
"It has always been a tradition in Myanmar culture to donate
labour in the building of pagodas, monasteries, roads and bridges
and in the digging and clearing of wells, ponds, dams and canals.
A belief exists that doing so leads to mental and physical
well-being. Those who can afford to donate money do so while
those who cannot, donate their labour. This is all part of
community work that raises the standard  of living, both
materially  and spiritually. As such, the local populace, members
of the local military units, government servants, as well as
members of the armed groups who have returned to the legal fold, 
participate enthusiastically and conscientiously. United Nations 
agencies, foreign and local non-governmental organizations are
also involved in these projects. The local populace is already
enjoying the benefits of their own endeavours." (para 24)
 
"The members if the Myanmar armed Forces are but the sons and
daughters of Myanmar nationals. They emerged from this society in
which they were born and brought up. How can anyone from this
society commit such outrageous crimes that were mentioned in the
summary of allegations? Neither will such acts be knowingly
condoned by persons in responsible positions." (para 45)
 
"... In the unlikely event that there is any truth in these
allegations, it can only be repeated that unless and until the
alleged victims bring their cases to the notice of the
authorities concerned, nothing can be done to redress what they
claim to have suffered." (para 46)
 
 .................................................................
 
THE FULL TEXT OF THE REPORT HAS BEEN POSTED ON REG.BURMA IN THE
IGC CONFERENCES AND ON SOC.CULT.BURMA