A/RES/51/117
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of power to a civilian Government and the drafting of a new constitution, the
lifting of restrictions on personal freedoms and the restoration of human
rights in Myanmar,
Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/80 of
23 April 1996,4 in which the Commission decided to extend for one year the
mandate of its Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar,
Noting with concern that the Government of Myanmar has not yet agreed to
visits by a representative of the Secretary-General and by the Special
Rapporteur,
Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not
implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in
the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,
Recalling the release without conditions of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Aung San Suu Kyi on 10 July 1995,
Gravely concerned at the travel and other restrictions placed on
Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders and at the recent mass arrests of
members and supporters of the National League for Democracy for peacefully
exercising their right to freedom of expression, assembly and association, and
alarmed by the attack, on 9 November 1996, on Aung San Suu Kyi and other
members of the National League for Democracy,
Recalling the withdrawal and subsequent exclusion from the National
Convention of members of the National League for Democracy in late 1995,
Regretting the failure of the Government of Myanmar to open a political
dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders, including
representatives of ethnic groups,
Gravely concerned at the continued violations of human rights in
Myanmar, as reported by the Special Rapporteur, including extrajudicial,
summary or arbitrary executions, killings of civilians, torture, arbitrary
arrest and detention, deaths in custody, absence of due process of law, severe
restrictions on freedoms of opinion, expression, assembly and association,
violations of freedom of movement, forced relocation, forced labour and
portering and the imposition of oppressive measures directed in particular at
ethnic and religious minorities,
Recalling the observation made by the Special Rapporteur that the
absence of respect for the rights pertaining to democratic governance is at
the root of all the major violations of human rights in Myanmar,
Recalling also the conclusion of ceasefire agreements between the
Government of Myanmar and several ethnic groups,
Noting that the human rights situation in Myanmar has resulted in flows
of refugees to neighbouring countries, thus creating problems for the
countries concerned,
4
Ibid., 1996, Supplement No. 3 (E/1996/23), chap. II, sect. A.
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