Dear Editor;

At the 84th meeting of the Sixty-first session of the UN General Assembly held in December 2006, member states voted on a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/61/443/Add.3). The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 82 in favour to 25 against, with 45 abstentions.

One of those countries abstaining from voting on this resolution is Guyana.

I find our country’s position on this matter quite interesting, particularly since the resolution addresses issues and concerns that are shared by many Guyanese. Many of us believe that similar ‘systematic violations of human rights’ and “discrimination and violations suffered by persons belonging to ethnic nationalities” are not unfamiliar to us in present-day Guyana. There have also been several allegations – against present and past administrations in Guyana – of political arrests and denial of freedom of expression.

How can we justify abstention on a resolution that addresses among others, the issue of ethnic-based policies which continue to suppress a large segment of our population in Guyana as it does for Myanmar?

Here is an excerpt from the UN General Assembly report:

“Draft resolution II of addendum 3 to the Third Committee’s report on the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/61/443/Add.3) on the situation of human rights in Myanmar would have the Assembly express grave concern at ongoing systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar, including discrimination and violations suffered by persons belonging to ethnic nationalities, the continuing use of torture, deaths in custody, political arrests, continuing imprisonment and other detentions, as well as the continuing recruitment and use of child soldiers, the use of landmines, forced labour and denial of freedom of assembly, association, expression and movement.”

“It would also call upon the Government of Myanmar to permit all political representatives and representatives of ethnic nationalities to participate fully in the political transitional process, to end the conflict with all ethnic nationalities in Myanmar and to restore the independence of the judiciary and due process of law.”

Yours faithfully,

Max Mohamed