Govt minister: Myanmar 'making every effort' to democratize

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Govt minister: Myanmar 'making every effort' to democratize

JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — The United States insisted that over 100 political prisoners remain in Myanmar as its justice minister trumpeted progress on human rights ahead of weekend elections seen as a possible turning point for a country emerging from nearly a half-century of military rule.

Myanmar's appearance Friday before the 47-member Human Rights Council, the U.N.'s leading human rights assembly, came as the country prepares for elections Sunday that appear to boil down to a contest between opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters and the military-backed leadership.

Dozens of delegations in Geneva praised Myanmar's steps toward democracy since 2011, while calling on its authorities to do more in areas such as the rights of women, religious freedom, freedom of expression, and to combat discrimination against the Rohingya minority.

Justice Minister Tun Shin, the head of Myanmar's delegation, said his country is "making every effort" to create a democratic society. He and other officials pointed to enhanced integration with international organizations, legal reforms and the creation of a national human rights commission over the last four years.

The U.S. mission's political officer Jessica Carl noted improved human rights in Myanmar and its chance to take a "significant step toward democracy" in Sunday's vote.

"However, we remain troubled by forced labor, inter-communal tensions, government actions that have rendered members of the Rohingya population stateless, and laws that restrict the exercise of freedom of religion, peaceful assembly and expression," Carl said. She said over 100 political prisoners remain detained.

Sit Aye, senior legal adviser in Myanmar President Thein Sein's office, told the council that the president in 2013 ordered the creation of a "scrutiny committee" on political prisoners, and that the domestic human rights commission "has investigated the complaints of torture on political prisoners and found that they were not true."

Myanmar is one of 14 countries facing examination as part of a two-week, rotating review of national human rights records by the council.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-11-07