Greater UN responsiveness to Myanmar reforms needed: India

United Nations: India has called for the UN to demonstrate “greater responsiveness” to the reforms being implemented by the Myanmar government and discontinue annual resolutions on the human rights situation in the country. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asoke Mukerji said that India welcomes the “significant” political and economic reforms the government of Myanmar has instituted over the last few years. [caption id=“attachment_2212412” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] “Moving forward, the UN must also demonstrate greater responsiveness to the reforms being implemented by the Government of Myanmar. We would urge member states to agree to the discontinuation of annual resolutions on the human rights situation in Myanmar. “This would convey the world community’s strong support and encouragement for the reform measures that are already underway in Myanmar,” Mukerji said during a meeting of the ‘Partnership Group for Peace, Development and Democracy in Myanmar’ yesterday. As per the resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar that has been tabled since November 2011, the General Assembly would express grave concern about violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar, while recognising the government’s commitment to implementing reforms. India has previously also called for the discontinuation of the resolution. A constructive engagement of the international community with Myanmar at this juncture would strengthen the hands of the government and encourage stakeholders to resolve their differences through healthy debate and peaceful negotiations, he said. In previous years, several other nations have also said that there is no need for the resolution in future given the positive economic and political development occurring in Myanmar. Mukerji said while there still are challenging tasks before the Myanmar government, it has demonstrated its resolve to face the challenges to reach the targets that they have set. He said India welcomes the signing of a draft Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) between the Myanmar Government’s Union Peace Making Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic armed groups Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT). “As a close and friendly neighbour, India remains committed to extending all possible assistance and support to the process of national reconciliation and the further strengthening of democracy in Myanmar,” he said. On the situation in the Rakhine State, Mukerji said India has noted the steps taken towards restoration of law and order. India has extended assistance for development efforts in the Rakhine State, including USD 300 million out of the total development assistance of USD 1.75 billion to Myanmar. Mukerji also voiced appreciation for the “tireless efforts” of Ambassador Vijay Nambiar, Special Adviser of the Secretary General for Myanmar and his team. PTI