Ministry Statements and Speeches 2007

Human Rights Council Sixth Session: NZ statement on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar

Tuesday 11 December 2007

• New Zealand thanks the Special Rapporteur for his intensive efforts in respect of Myanmar, including his efforts to engage with the Government of Myanmar. We welcome the comprehensive report tabled by Mr Pinheiro which sets out clearly a number of immediate and transitional measures to be addressed by the Government of Myanmar.
• New Zealand supports fully the efforts of the United Nations to keep the doors open and build foundations for the future, including the two visits to Myanmar by the Secretary General’s Special Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, and the recent visit by Mr Pinheiro. We are pleased that Mr Pinheiro was given good access during his visit, including meetings with political prisoners; ministers; the new Human Rights Body; the Constitution Drafting Committee; Buddhist leaders; and law enforcement agencies.
• We hope that both UN envoys will continue to gain proper and timely access to Myanmar, as well as to all relevant parties. We hope also that their efforts will provide some traction for moving ahead the process of national reconciliation and democratisation in Myanmar .
• New Zealand reiterates its deep concern about the political and human rights situation in Myanmar. While the situation seems to have calmed, the regime must take concrete steps towards national reconciliation, genuine democratic reform and greater respect for the human rights of its people. New Zealand also calls on the regime to release all political prisoners and to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue as a way forward.
• New Zealand shares the sentiments of the international community, in line with the view of the UN Security Council, that genuine and open dialogue is the only way to address Myanmar’s ongoing crisis. It is fundamentally important that the junta and the democratic opposition engage in constructive dialogue as a necessary part of any reconciliation process, which must address the humanitarian and socio-economic factors that underlie the protests.
• The report before us is evidence of the commitment of the international community to affecting positive changes in Myanmar and generating greater respect for human rights in the country.
• New Zealand calls on the government of Myanmar to promptly and fully implement the recommendations outlined in Special Rapporteur Pinheiro’s report.

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