[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
VOA-BURMA RIGHTS-LISA SCHLEIN-GENEV
DATE=10/6/98
BURMA RIGHTS-LISA SCHLEIN-GENEVA
INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE U-N'S HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY HAS ACCUSED THE
GOVERNMENT OF BURMA, OR MYANMAR, OF INTENSIFYING REPRESSION IN
THE PAST FEW WEEKS AGAINST PEOPLE OPPOSED TO ITS RULE. LISA
SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF APPEALED TO
BURMA'S GOVERNMENT TO STOP INTIMIDATING POLITICAL DISSIDENTS.
TEXT: IN HER STATEMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF MARY ROBINSON
EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS THAT BURMESE OFFICIALS HAVE
ARRESTED OR DETAINED MORE THAN 200 MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY. AND, SHE SAYS SHE IS DISMAYED BY
REPORTS THAT THE PARTY'S LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, HAS BEEN
SUBJECTED TO REPEATED HARASSMENT.
U-N HUMAN RIGHTS SPOKESMAN JOSE DIAS SAYS MS. ROBINSON CONDEMNS
THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN BURMA WHICH, THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSIONER SAYS, FALL FAR SHORT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. HE
SAYS THESE CONDITIONS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATHS OF A
NUMBER OF PRISONERS WHO REPORTEDLY DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY.
IN HER STATEMENT, THE HIGH COMMISSIONER ALSO STATES THAT
IT IS CLEAR THAT FORCED LABOR CONTINUES IN MYANMAR AND
THAT THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE AN OFFICIAL POLICY OF
FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF ETHNIC MINORITIES.
THE INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION (I-L-O) RECENTLY ISSUED A REPORT
CHARGING WIDESPREAD USE OF FORCED LABOR
IN BURMA. IT DESCRIBES WHAT IT CALLS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS,
PARTICULARLY AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE FORCED TO ACT AS
MILITARY PORTERS AND ARE BEATEN AND SEXUALLY ABUSED. THE I-L-O
INVESTIGATION ALSO SAYS THE FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF ETHNIC
MINORITIES HAS RESULTED IN LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE TAKING REFUGE
IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.
MR. DIAS SAYS MS. ROBINSON CONVEYED HER CONCERNS TO THE BURMESE
FOREIGN MINISTER, IN TALKS LAST MONTH AT THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY
IN NEW YORK.
THIS STATEMENT ALSO FOLLOWS ON THAT MEETING OF THE 23RD
OF SEPTEMBER WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER AT WHICH THESE
ISSUES WERE RAISED. BUT, AT WHICH SHE GOT NO POSITIVE
RESPONSE, I THINK. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER WAS ALSO
WAITING FOR A SIGN PERHAPS FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO SEE
WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY MOVES IN THE DIRECTION OF
ADDRESSING THOSE CONCERNS.
THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES BURMA'S LEADERS TO RELEASE
POLITICAL PRISONERS AND TO LET PEOPLE FREELY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS
AND OPINIONS. SHE ALSO CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW A
SPECIAL U-N INVESTIGATOR TO CONDUCT A FACT-FINDING MISSION ON THE
HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN BURMA. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
06-Oct-98 8:04 AM EDT (1204 UTC)
Source: Voice of America
.