India questions usefulness of possible Myanmar probe

Betwa Sharma
United Nations, Oct 27 (PTI) Following a proposal by an
independent human rights expert to set up Commission of
Inquiry into alleged human rights violations in Myanmar, India
questioned the utility of such a probe with a "fact finding
mandate."
India has pointed out such action may be "counter
productive" and "end up adversely affecting the very people it
is supposed to help" in the military-ruled country.
An Indian diplomat Acquino Vimal told a General Assembly
Committee that there is no mention of such an inquiry in the
report on Myanmar released by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"We have, however, noted that this ("fact finding
mandate") does not find any reference in the UN Secretary
General’s report on Myanmar," Vimal said last week.
"We would like to have the Special Rapporteur's views on
how such a course of action proposed by him would be
compatible with the UNSG's Good Offices process," he added.
India noted that November 7 elections would be a forward
step "in the national reconciliation process and democratic
transition" of Myanmar.
"We believe that the focus of efforts of the
international community should be on ensuring constructive
engagement with Myanmar," said Vimal.
Noting that "Myanmar was an important neighbour of
India," the diplomat underlined the importance of "peace and
stability on our borders."
Ahead of the landmark elections, UN human rights expert
Tomas Ojea Quintana has stressed that "justice and
accountability" were a key "to any transition" into a
democracy and "national reconciliation."
"If the government fails to assume these responsibilities
then the international community must take action," he said.
"Commission of inquiry should not be considered as a means to
punish but as a tool to address impunity."
Quintana had also pointed out to countries that
"delegations opposed to the commission of inquiry but not to
the idea of justice."
The expert asserted, so far, there was no signs that
Myanmar would carry out free and fair elections, and most
international observers are disappointed with the electoral
process in the military-ruled nation.
"It is clear that the process remains deeply flawed,"
Quintana said. "Freedom of expression, Freedom of assembly and
association have been further restricted through
implementation of the election laws."
"There has been no release of prisoners of conscience,"
he added. "I repeat conditions of genuine elections are
limited under the current circumstances."
Quintana insisted that Myanmar needed to send a strong
signal to the international community about its commitment to
hold genuine elections. "Unconditional release of prisoners of
conscience would be such a signal," he said.
In his three visits to Myanmar, the human rights expert
has not been allowed to see democracy icon Aung San Su Kyi by
the military regime in the country. PTI