Rights of expression and association must be protected: UN

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

September 11, 2007 - Appreciation of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and association are vital to any successful democratic transition and national reconciliation inside Burma, according to a ranking United Nations official.

"There will be no progress in Myanmar's political transition unless people have space to express their views openly and peacefully," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, said in a statement issued on Friday.

Recognition of the freedoms of expression and association are the "touchstones of human rights", continued Arbour.

The High Commissioner also repeated her call for the Burmese government to release all political prisoners, over 150 of who have been detained since protests began on August 19th in response to rising energy, transport and commodity costs.

Arbour spoke critically of the propensity of the regime to mete out violence against the protestors, singling out the poor treatment shown toward monks.

Meanwhile Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, at a press conference yesterday and in reply as to whether or not he intended to follow through on Laura Bush's request for the Secretary General to involve himself more directly in seeking action on Burma, told reporters of his intent to "soon" dispatch his Special Advisor on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, to the country.

Giving no indication that his approach to addressing Burma is about to change, Ban went on to say, "Let us hope that the Myanmar Government will fully democratize their country, respecting and upholding the aspirations and wishes of the whole international community, particularly the release of Madame Aung San Suu Kyi."

Gambari had recently commented that he expected to return to Burma as early as next month.

The United Nations Human Rights Council commenced its sixth session yesterday. Burma is not party to the Council.