Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
34th SESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL
(27 FEBRUARY-24 MARCH 2017)
Interactive Dialogue with the Special
Rapporteur on Myanmar
()
Statement by Mr. Ajit Kumar,
Ambassador & Permanent Representative of
India to UN Offices and other International
Organizations
13 March 2017
Mr. President,
1. We thank the Special Rapporteur Ms. Yanghee Lee for her report.
2. India shares historical and cultural ties with Myanmar and we have consistently supported Myanmar’s efforts towards political reform. The last few years have witnessed a truly praiseworthy effort on the part of Myanmar towards achieving an inclusive and broad-based national reconciliation and significant opening of democratic space.
3. The Special Rapporteur does acknowledge the positive developments in Myanmar; however, the overall approach of Special Rapporteur’s report gives an impression that Myanmar’s continuing efforts under difficult circumstances, have failed to receive the credit they deserve. The progress towards political reforms and democratization made by Myanmar in its challenging transition to democracy is worth commending.
4. The present government of Myanmar is barely a year old. Democratic institutions in any country take time to acquire roots. Myanmar needs further encouragement and support in their nascent tryst with democracy. In addressing the still remaining human rights concerns in the country, the Government of Myanmar will require capacity building and international assistance as requested by Myanmar and also acknowledged by the SR.
5. We believe that the initiatives launched in 1992 initially under the Commission of Human Rights and subsequently extended under the Human Rights Council have substantially achieved their intended objectives in Myanmar. The fact that Myanmar has shown strong commitment to reform at the highest level along with its extensive cooperation with the UN mechanisms must find reflection in the work of the Council and its Special Procedures.
I thank you, Mr. President.
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