UN General Assembly (UNGA) Statement

The following is a summary of the statement from the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) at the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the "Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives - Myanmar":

-through the offices of the UNSG there was a focus on promoting "national reconciliation, democratic transition and respect for human rights in Myanmar, in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolutions. Discussions focused on five key areas, as endorsed by the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and in the Security Council: (a) the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; (b) the need for an all-inclusive, substantive and time-bound dialogue; (c) the need to create conditions conducive to a credible process of political transition to civilian and democratic government; (d) improving socio-economic conditions; and (e) regularizing the good offices process between Myanmar and the United Nations." Prisoner amnesties in September 2008 and February 2009 saw the release of some political prisoners.

-statement was issued by UNSG in relation to the arrest and trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and he stated that without the release of political prisoners and free and fair elections, the political process will be flawed.

-UNSG urged the need for "a credible and inclusive political process, based on mutual understanding and constructive compromise by all stakeholders, can advance the prospects of durable peace, national reconciliation, democracy and respect for human rights in Myanmar, and that the Government has a primary obligation to address the concerns of all stakeholders. I also emphasize that failure to address with equal attention the nation’s political, humanitarian and development challenges could undermine the prospects for peace, democracy and development."

-UNSG expresses that he looks forward to "working with all concerned, including through my Group of Friends on Myanmar, towards a peaceful, united, democratic Myanmar with full respect for the human rights of all of its people."