UNHRC asks Myanmar to release political prisoners

New York (PTI): The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned "ongoing systematic violations of human rights" in Myanmar and asked the Government to stop making politically motivated arrests and to release all political prisoners immediately.

In a resolution adopted without a vote, the council demanded an independent investigation into reports of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, acts of torture and forced labour, and called for those responsible for such crimes to be brought to justice.

The resolution suggested the Government "to engage in a real process of dialogue and national reconciliation with the full and genuine participation of representatives of all political parties and ethnic groups who have been excluded from the political process."

Introducing the resolution on behalf of the EU, Slovenian representative Andrej Logar said the previous resolutions had not been implemented by Myanmar and many political prisoners remained in detention.

The recent constitutional referendum was conducted in complete disregard of basic standards on such issues as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, he said.

Myanmar's representative U Wunna Maung Lwin described the resolution as politically motivated and lopsided and said powerful States were trying to influence matters through political interference.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200806191342.htm/