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 his February report to the Commission on Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Yozo Yokota said that given the composition of the delegates (only one out of seven delegates was elected in the May 1990 elections), the restrictions imposed upon the delegates, and the general guidelines to be strictly followed, the National Convention did not constitute the necessary "steps towards the restoration to democracy."
On 20 September, SLORC Chairman Than Shwe and SLORC Secretary-1, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. A second meeting between Khin Nyunt and Daw Suu was held in October.
On 14 November, SLORC Secretary-1, General Khin Nyunt, assured UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Yozo Yokota that once the new constitution had been drafted and adopted elections would take place and a civilian government would take power. Khin Nyunt said that it was not the moment to specify when a new civilian government would be formed under the new constitution. However, he said the junta wanted to complete the National Convention "as soon as possible." Yokota requested to visit Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, but Khin Nyunt said that it was not the appropriate moment for a visit as the junta was holding discussions with her and did not want any interference in that dialogue. Khin Nyunt said they intended to continue its dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the future.
CHR, 50th session, 16 February 1994, E/CN.4/1994/57
UNGA, 49th session, 28 October 1994, A/49/594