Chronology of UN Visits to Burma
A duty to investigate arises as soon as a UN member state or a designated global monitor such as the ICRC receives verifiable information that heinous crimes are occurring. Since 1990, eight envoys have been appointed by the United Nations system to facilitate dialogue between the junta and the pro-democracy forces, and to carry out fact-finding missions in Burma. The timeline below, created by ALTSEAN, chronicles the visits and reports of UN envoys to Burma, all of which have been met with silence.
Download the full PDF version of the Chronology of UN Visits and Reports compiled by the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN)
In January, the SPDC began releasing political prisoners, relaxing the rules restricting political activities, and allowing NLD township offices in Rangoon and Mandalay districts to reopen.
On 6 February, the Commission on Human Rights appointed Paulo Sergio Pinheiro to serve as the new UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma. "I am very encouraged by recent positive and constructive developments in Myanmar, especially with regard to the progress in the field of national reconciliation," Pinheiro said after his appointment.
In his August report to the General Assembly, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Paulo Sergio Pinheiro said that against the background of ongoing talks between the SPDC and the NLD there had been some positive signals indicative of the junta's endeavor to make progress in the area of human rights. Among the positive developments, Pinheiro highlighted the dissemination of human rights standards for public officials, the work of the SPDC's Committee on Human Rights, the release of political detainees, the reopening of branches of the NLD, the continued international monitoring of prison conditions, and the cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights.
In October, after an interval of six years, the SPDC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi resumed talks on national reconciliation. The specific details of the process were not known, as both sides agreed to maintain the substance of their discussions confidential. UN Special Envoy for Burma Razali Ismail was the catalyst behind the "secret talks" between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military regime. Razali had visited Burma several times with a view to facilitating dialogue between the two sides.
In October, SPDC Secretary-1 Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt assured UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Paulo Sergio Pinheiro of the junta's full cooperation. Khin Nyunt told Pinheiro that the junta was genuinely committed to improving the well-being of the population. Khin Nyunt also acknowledged the need to improve human rights and engage in political transition.
UNGA, 56th session, 20 August 2001, A/56/312
UNGA, 56th session, 24 October 2001, A/56/505