UN on Human Rights in Burma

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=4/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247556
TITLE=U-N RIGHTS BURMA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A UNITED NATIONS REPORT ACCUSES BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS 
OF WAGING A RELENTLESS CAMPAIGN OF REPRESSION AGAINST POLITICAL 
OPPONENTS AND OF GROSSLY VIOLATING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF VARIOUS 
ETHNIC GROUPS AND MINORITIES.  THE REPORT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO 
THE 53-MEMBER U-N HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOR REVIEW.  DETAILS 
FROM LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA.

TEXT:  THE REPORT CONDEMNS WHAT IT CALLS THE BRUTAL MEASURES 
EMPLOYED BY BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS TO MAINTAIN THEIR GRIP ON 
POWER.  IT SAYS THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO HAVE ANY MEANINGFUL 
DIALOGUE WITH POLITICAL OPPONENTS AND HAS INTENSIFIED ITS 
REPRESSION, ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE N-L-D, THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR
DEMOCRACY. 

U-N SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR, RAJSOOMER LALLAH, SAYS THERE'S BEEN 
INCREASING HARASSMENT OF THE N-L-D PARTY BY THE MILITARY, 
INCLUDING ARRESTS OF HUNDREDS OF ITS MEMBERS IN RECENT MONTHS.  
HE ACCUSES THE MILITARY OF TORTURE, ARBITRARY KILLINGS, AND 
PROHIBITING FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, EXPRESSION AND ASSOCIATION. 

MR. LALLAH SAYS THE LEADER OF THE N-L-D, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 
LAUREATE AUNG SAN SUU KYI, CONTINUES TO BE HARASSED AND IS THE 
SUBJECT OF PERSONAL VILIFICATION.

                        ///LALLAH ACT///

         SHE WAS MOST RECENTLY AFFECTED BY A PERSONAL TRAGEDY IN 
         CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE, IN SPITE OF ANY
         DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, FOR HER HUSBAND TO VISIT HER BEFORE 
         HIS DEATH.  THIS RAISES THE QUESTION OF THE EXTENT TO 
         WHICH RESPECT FOR FAMILY RIGHTS MAY BE ADVERSELY 
         AFFECTED IN THE CASE OF OTHER CITIZENS WHO, IN THE 
         INTERESTS OF THEIR OWN SAFETY AND SECURITY, HAVE HAD TO 
         LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

                          ///END ACT///

U-N INVESTIGATOR LALLAH HAS BEEN BARRED FROM VISITING BURMA FOR 
OVER THREE YEARS NOW.  HIS INFORMATION COMES FROM, WHAT HE CALLS,
"CREDIBLE WITNESSES" OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AND HUMAN RIGHTS 
ORGANIZATIONS. 


MR. LALLAH SAYS HE'S PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS OF 
CONTINUED BRUTAL REPRESSION OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN THE EAST 
OF BURMA.  HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES AS A RESULT 
OF SYSTEMATIC AND GROSS VIOLATIONS OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.

                     ///SECOND LALLAH ACT///

         THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THESE ETHNIC STATES, INCLUDING 
         THE ONGOING CONFLICT, WILL INEXORABLY LEAD TO A 
         HUMANITARIAN DISASTER WHERE MORE THAN AN ESTIMATED HALF 
         A MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE CURRENT 
         MILITARY AND POLITICAL STRATEGY, AND MORE THAN 
         100-THOUSAND OTHERS HAVE TAKEN REFUGE IN THAILAND.

                          ///END ACT///

THE U-N INVESTIGATOR CALLS ON THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT TO STOP ITS 
EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE AND STOP ITS PRACTICE OF FORCED LABOR, 
INCLUDING CHILD LABOR.  HE SAYS FORCING CIVILIANS TO DO HARD 
LABOR FOR NO PAY, TO ACT AS PORTERS FOR THE MILITARY AND TO 
PERFORM ALL SORTS OF MENIAL TASKS FOR THEM AMOUNTS TO A FORM OF 
SLAVERY. (SIGNED) 

NEB/LS/PCF

02-Apr-99 8:07 AM EST (1307 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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