After Four Years, The UN’s Expert On Human Rights Is Allowed To Visit Burma

As the UN’s expert on human rights, it is Mr. Paolo Sergio Pinheiro’s job to visit countries around the world. His repeated requests to visit Burma to check on the human rights performances have been denied over the last four years. Recently, the Foreign Minister of Burma Nyan Win had written to the United Nations that Mr. Pinheiro could possibly visit before the middle of November.

At the same time, the United Nations’ special envoy to Burma hopes to be allowed in return to Burma as well. The envoy Ibrhim Gambari is in India waiting on his visa. Before the military crackdown on the mass protests by pro-democracy demonstrators, he met military leaders and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is under house arrest.

Mr. Pinheiro told Reuters that this was an important sign. He explains that it was a sign that Burma’s government wishes to engage in dialogue again with the United Nations and the Human Rights Council.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour explained to reporters in Ottawa, Canda that they have to find out what happened to the people who were part of the demonstration. She said that it’s very important for the United Nations to establish the magnitude of Burma’s crackdown.

Arbour asks: “Where are they? How many – credibly – have been killed? How many are still detained [and] under what conditions?”

The timing of the invitation looks to be important because on November 17, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) plans to have a summit. ASEAN has severely condemned Burma’s government of repressing the protests.

Gambari’s hoping to be able to start talks between the government of Burma and Ms. Suu Kyi. The United States Ambassor has already appealed to the government of Burma to allow Mr. Gambari to return.

Until then, Mr. Gambari is wanting the other nations of Asia to take lead in resolving Burma’s political crisis. In short, he wants Asia to be able to handle this situation. Western nations have already imposed sanctions.

Ultimately, it looks as if it will be up to China, India, and other countries with important trade links to resolve the situation with Burma.