U.N. Condemns Ongoing Human Rights Violation In Myanmar

June 19, 2008 6:50 a.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned "ongoing systematic violations of human rights" in Myanmar.

The U.N. body also called on the government to stop making politically motivated arrests and to release all political prisoners immediately.

In a resolution adopted without a vote, the council also called on the Myanmar government to fully implement commitments it made to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that it would grant relief workers "immediate, full and unhindered access" to people in need in the wake of last month's catastrophic Cyclone Nargis, a U.N. press statement said.

It called on the government to refrain from sending victims of the disaster back to areas where they would not have access to emergency relief, and to ensure that any returns are voluntary, safe and carried out with dignity.

The resolution, introduced before the Geneva-based Council by the European Union, also condemned the recruitment of child soldiers by both government forces and non-state armed groups and urged "an absolute an immediate stop of this appalling activity."

Besides, it called for an independent investigation into reports of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, acts of torture and forced labor, and called for those responsible for such crimes to be brought to justice.

On the other hand, 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.

The representative also said Myanmar was working with the international community in the response effort to Cyclone Nargis, which struck the country on 2-3 May, and was also making efforts on the political front, such as with the recent holding of the constitutional referendum.