As Myanmar has initiated a number of "significant" political and economic reforms in the last few years, India has urged the UN to discontinue a General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in the Southeast Asian country.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the 'Partnership Group for Peace, Development and Democracy in Myanmar' in New York, Indian Ambassador to the world body Asoke Mukerji said that the international community should welcome Myanmar's initiatives towards greater democratisation. He also said that India would always back the steps taken by the Myanmarese government, such as the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and holding of peace talks with different ethnic groups. "These are positive steps, especially given that elections are due to take place in 2015. We take a note of the recently concluded census operation and hope that the data generated would help in formulating policies which would be beneficial for the holistic growth of the country," stressed the ambassador.
According to Mukerji, it is the right time for UN member states to support and encourage the reform programmes currently underway in Myanmar by softening their stance. He was of the opinion that it would not be possible for Myanmar to improve its socio-economic condition without national reconciliation. "India is fully committed and stands ready to support Myanmar in this endeavour," he told the audience. The representatives from Vietnam wholeheartedly supported India's proposal and made the same request to the UN.
As per the UNGA resolution approved in November 2011, the Assembly expressed serious concern over violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Myamarese people and asked the government to implement reform programmes. During 2013 deliberations in the UNGA's Third Committee that deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues, India had made it clear that the resolution should be discontinued.
However, the UNGA did not make any decision in this regard. As a result, the Indian ambassador once again made the same request, saying that India's relationship with Myanmar was 'close' and New Delhi was well aware of the current situation in the neighbouring country. Mukerji also said that India would continue to play a constructive role in the ongoing process of democratisation in Myanmar and also in promoting peace.
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