UHR envoy claims witnessing of positive impact in Myanmar

United Nations Human Rights Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana claimed on Sunday that his six-day Myanmar mission witnessed positive impact in the country, but adding that serious challenges remain and be addressed. Quintana, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, told a press briefing at the Yangon International Airport before wrapping his visit that he was encouraged by Myanmar's concrete progress in improving its human rights situation, calling on the international community to remain engaged and support and assist the government during this important time. Thanks to the Myanmar government for its invitation and cooperation, Quintana reaffirmed his willingness to work constructively and cooperatively with Myanmar to improve the human rights situation. He underlined the steps taken by the government had the potential to bring about an improvement in the human rights situation in Myanmar and deepen its transition to democracy. He stressed the importance to assess the human rights situation in Myanmar in light of some developments and at this key moment in Myanmar history, citing a continuing wave of reforms in the country since his last visit in August 2011 and saying that the speed and breadth of the reform has surprised many international observers and many in the country. "The impact of these reforms on the country and on its people is immediately perceptible," he said. He said he was told that a new draft media law would abolish censorship and provides some guarantees for the freedom of opinion and expression. A significant reform he pointed out is that of legislation that has been underway. Dealing with the coming by-elections on April 1, he also said he was informed that the use of international observers was under consideration to ensure a credible election. Welcoming the government's commitment to socio-economic development and poverty reduction, he noted that many challenges remain and the situation is still dire. He emphasized that fundamental rights are equally essential to Myanmar's democratic transition, national reconciliation and its long-term stability. While also welcoming the government's commitment to peace talks and the progress made in this regard, he stressed that much more are needed to be done to find a durable political solution to the conflict and the undertakings are to be accelerated for broader national reconciliation. Quintana will present his assessment report to the UN Human Rights Council in March, while expecting another visit to Myanmar before his next report to the General Assembly in October. According to Quintana, during his mission, which started from Jan. 31, Quintana, met in Nay Pyi Taw with speakers of the two houses of the parliament U Shwe Mann and U Khin Aung Myint and a number of ministers or deputy including that of foreign affairs, defense, border affairs, home affairs, education, Labor and information as well as the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Union Election Commission, Presidential Advisors and government peace-making groups. In Yangon, he exchanged views with Aung San Suu Kyi, top leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and met with the National Human Rights Commission and discussed a wide range of human rights issues. He also visited the Insein Prison in Yangon meeting with some prisoners of conscience and released ones. He proceeded to Kayin and Mon states where he also met with local government chiefs and representatives of ethnic minorities. It was Quintana's fifth visit to Myanmar since he was appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the country in March 2008 and the second since a new government was installed in Myanmar in March 2011.