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Resolution 2006/08: Human Rights Violations in Mynamar - Vetoed by China

Resolution 2006/08: Resolution Concerning Myanmar Human Rights Violations


27th May 2006


Committee: Human Rights & Refugees
Submitted by: United States of America
Co-submitted by: The United Kingdom

The General Assembly of The United Nations,

Recalling the Commission on Human Rights' Resolution 1995/72,

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and as elaborated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other applicable human rights instruments,.

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the United Nations promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government,

Reaffirming its previous resolutions on the human rights situation in Myanmar, the most recent of which is resolution 58/247 of 23 December 2003, those of the Commission on Human Rights, the most recent of which is resolution 2004/61 of 21 April 2004, and the conclusions of the special sitting of the Committee on the Application of Standards of the International Labour Conference of 5 June 2004,

Noting with deep concern particular concern in this regard that the electoral process initiated in Myanmar by the general elections of 27 May 1990 has not yet reached its conclusion and that the Government still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of those elections,

Deploring that many political leaders, in particular elected representatives, remain deprived of their liberty and that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest, which has recently been extended, and, while acknowledging the recent release of a substantial number of political prisoners, notes with dismay that in many cases their release was on condition that they not resume political activity,

Deeply concerned at the violations of human rights in Myanmar, which remain extremely serious, in particular the practice of torture, summary and arbitrary executions, forced labor, including forced pottering for the military, abuse of women, including rape, politically motivated arrests and detention, forced displacement of the population, the existence of important restrictions on the exercise of fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression and association, and the imposition of oppressive measures directed, in particular, at ethnic and religious minority groups,.

Noting that the military regime currently holds a seat in the United Nations General Assembly, whereas the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend South Africa from the UNGA in 1972 on the grounds that the apartheid led regime didn't truly represent the people of South Africa;,

Bearing in mind Security Council resolutions 1460 (2003) of 30 January 2003 and 1539 (2004) of 22 April 2004,

Noting with approval that our Europian allies have joined us in placing economic sanctions on Myanmar.,

Deeply concerned by the violent repressions of demonstrations by the military in 1990 and noting with concern that this is a clear violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.,

Recognising that good governance, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are essential to achieving sustainable development and economic growth,

Taking into account the report presented to the Security Council by the Under-Secretary for General Political affairs, concerning the situation in Myanmar,

Noting , that all other methods to resolve this problem, short of resorting to militia force, have been utilised, including discussions and offering incentives.

Noting with concern that the population of Myanmar is not being represented accurately, and therefore their position is invalid,

1. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar to:

i.Respect fully the obligations of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949;

ii.To end the systematic violations of human rights in Myanmar, including extrajudicial killings, the use of torture, the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence persistently carried out by members of the armed forces, discrimination and violations suffered in particular by persons belonging to ethnic minorities, women and children and violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, to end impunity and to investigate and bring to justice any perpetrators of human rights violations, including members of the military and other government agents in all circumstances;

iii.To restore democracy and respect the results of the 1990 elections by, inter alia, releasing immediately and unconditionally the leadership of the National League for Democracy, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of the National League for Democracy detained on or after 30 May 2003, as well as other prisoners of conscience, and to cease the ongoing harassment of the National League for Democracy and other political parties and allow the reopening of the offices of the National League for Democracy throughout the country;

iv.To release immediately and unconditionally all detained or imprisoned political prisoners;

v.To take immediate action to implement fully concrete legislative, executive and administrative measures to eradicate the practice of forced labour by all organs of Government,

vi.To put an immediate end to the recruitment and use of child soldiers and to extend full cooperation to relevant international organizations in order to ensure the demobilization of child soldiers, their return home and their rehabilitation in accordance with recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child;

vii.To end the policy of systematic enforced displacement of persons and other policies leading to displacement within Myanmar and refugee flows to neighbouring countries, to provide the necessary protection and assistance to internally displaced persons and to respect the right of refugees to voluntary, safe and dignified return monitored by appropriate international agencies;

viii.To formulate a clear and detailed plan for the transition to democracy, which includes concrete timing and the involvement of all political groups and ethnic nationalities in a way that ensures the process is transparent and inclusive;

2. Requests that the nations of United Nations place economic sanctions on Myanmar, until the aforementioned criteria have been met;

3.Requests that Myanmar's illegal regime be suspended from the United Nations General Assembly until the result of the legal 1990 election is honored or democracy is reinstated, and human rights are conserved.

4. Encourages that countries countinue to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar, but only if approved by, and through the United Nations Peacekeeping force;

5. Requests that an ad hoc committee be created to ensure that these sanctions are maintained, and that the members of this comittee be decide upon by the General Assembly

6. Further invites members of the United Nations, along with its Secretary General, to officially condemn the violation of Human Rights in Myanmar;

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
Avatar for Knogle
Knogle
16
The UK has voted in favour in this motion. We're disappointed at China's resilient determination to veto this motion.
Reply 2
Avatar for Teehar
Teehar
10
Venezuela fully supports China.
Reply 3
Avatar for Apollo
Apollo
11
Knogle
The UK has voted in favour in this motion. We're disappointed at China's resilient determination to veto this motion.


Would you ever agree to sanctions on your allies?
Reply 4
Avatar for Knogle
Knogle
16
Apollo
Would you ever agree to sanctions on your allies?

Probably not. But neither will we agree to vetoes on resolutions of our allies.

(well it really depends, but not in this case :biggrin:)

We need to stop treating this as an ally vs enemy issue. The fact is that Myanmar isn't practicing democracy like it should. Regardless of the country's relationship with you, your EQ should be jaded when you think about the people in the country and the conditions they live in. I suppose I can't expect much from China looking at the blatant abuse of human rights in China itself, so yeah, nothing surprising here.

*senses a lot of sparks generated from this post :wink:*
Reply 5
Avatar for Teehar
Teehar
10
rather irrelevant, if things pan out the way i think they're going to inthe China-Taiwan thread, there isn't going to be a UK tomorrow morning.
Reply 6
Avatar for Teehar
Teehar
10
what is rather interesting is that since hen did Jacques Chirac to the line with all American issues.
Reply 7
Avatar for brimstone
brimstone
7
France does not support all American suggestions and ideas. We wonder, however, since when did Venezuela start supporting everything said by China?
Reply 8
Avatar for Teehar
Teehar
10
Venezuela does not follow China, we are simply against US interference in the domestic policies of other nations and their continuing imperialistic attitude to the world. the 'crusades' failed the first time and they shall fail again.
Reply 9
Avatar for brimstone
brimstone
7
Domestic policies? America is trying to prevent human rights abuse in Myanmar. That's not interference.
And if Venezuela feels that is interference, maybe they should stop their interference in US foreign policy.
Reply 10
Avatar for Teehar
Teehar
10
oh and Venezuela-China relations are at an all time high:
http://english.people.com.cn/200412/24/eng20041224_168452.html


a definite contrast to Franco-US relations.

I point you to the last paragraphs of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-U.S._relations
Reply 11
Avatar for Teehar
Teehar
10
brimstone
Domestic policies? America is trying to prevent human rights abuse in Myanmar. That's not interference.
And if Venezuela feels that is interference, maybe they should stop their interference in US foreign policy.


the US should get its own house in order before pointing the finger at others. US foreign policy directly has a negative impact on the rest of the world, unlike domestic policy :rolleyes:. we dont give a toss what the US does and do not plan to interfere as long as this does not involve harm to another nation or another group of peoples.
Reply 12
Avatar for brimstone
brimstone
7
6+6=6
the US should get its own house in order before pointing the finger at others. US foreign policy directly has a negative impact on the rest of the world, unlike domestic policy :rolleyes:. we dont give a toss what the US does and do not plan to interfere as long as this does not involve harm to another nation or another group of peoples.

It appears that Venezuela has already interfered in America's foreign policy.
France points the Representative to the following article :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Venezuela#Ch.C3.A1vez_opposition_to_U.S._foreign_policy
Perhaps the Representative for Venezuela should practice what he preaches, and should now shut up with regards to US foreign policy.
Reply 13
Avatar for brimstone
brimstone
7
6+6=6
oh and Venezuela-China relations are at an all time high:
http://english.people.com.cn/200412/24/eng20041224_168452.html
France has no interest in relations between Venezuela and China.
a definite contrast to Franco-US relations.

I point you to the last paragraphs of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-U.S._relations

France is rebuilding relations with the United States; what business our foreign relations are to Venezula, we don't know.
Reply 14
Avatar for Apollo
Apollo
11
Knogle
Probably not. But neither will we agree to vetoes on resolutions of our allies.

(well it really depends, but not in this case :biggrin:)

We need to stop treating this as an ally vs enemy issue. The fact is that Myanmar isn't practicing democracy like it should. Regardless of the country's relationship with you, your EQ should be jaded when you think about the people in the country and the conditions they live in. I suppose I can't expect much from China looking at the blatant abuse of human rights in China itself, so yeah, nothing surprising here.

*senses a lot of sparks generated from this post :wink:*


Again, if we attempted to place sanctions on America and we told you to stop treating this like an ally vs enemy issue what would you do?

Hmm well we are on the human rights council arent we?

brimstone
France does not support all American suggestions and ideas. We wonder, however, since when did Venezuela start supporting everything said by China?


We are both dedicated to stopping America from continuing to run wild
Reply 15
Avatar for brimstone
brimstone
7
Apollo
We are both dedicated to stopping America from continuing to run wild

France would like China to provide an example of America running 'wild'.
Reply 16
Avatar for aiman
aiman
OP
12
rather irrelevant, if things pan out the way i think they're going to inthe China-Taiwan thread, there isn't going to be a UK tomorrow morning.

The China-Taiwan situation is hypothetical. I personally don't believe that it should mingle with REAL situations. If that happens we end up with lots of paradoxes.
Reply 17
Avatar for aiman
aiman
OP
12
a definite contrast to Franco-US relations.

I point you to the last paragraphs of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-U.S._relations


We are taking steps to improve relations with France.
Reply 18
Avatar for aiman
aiman
OP
12
the US should get its own house in order before pointing the finger at others. US foreign policy directly has a negative impact on the rest of the world, unlike domestic policy . we dont give a toss what the US does and do not plan to interfere as long as this does not involve harm to another nation or another group of peoples.


Firstly, this motion was initiated by both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Secondly, we are fixing any faults we find in our own system (as every other nation does), but it's not going to happen overnight. This does not mean that we cannot try to resolve other problems simultaneously.
Thirdly, this resolution does not harm people, it saves them from inhumane conditions.... unless Venezuela is concerned about the poor illegitimate government that'll suffer.
Reply 19
Avatar for aiman
aiman
OP
12
We are both dedicated to stopping America from continuing to run wild

Run wild? Please, we're trying to stop the unabated raping, forced child labor and other attrocities that Myanmar commits. If that's running wild, then we're happy to 'run wild'.

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