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 July, SLORC Secretary-1 Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt met with NLD Chairman Aung Shwe and two members of the party's Central Executive Committee.
On 1 October, SLORC Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw reiterated that a substantive political dialogue with the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was only possible within the framework of the National Convention. Ohn Gyaw suggested that contacts with the NLD might be held in stages, leaving open the possibility that they might lead to discussions on substantive matters. Ohn Gyaw also refused to give a time-frame for the resumption of the National Convention, which had not convened since March 1996.
In his November report to the General Assembly, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed contacts between the junta and the NLD as an initial step for a genuine political dialogue. Annan also welcomed the fact that the NLD could hold a party congress. He expressed "disappointment" that no further progress had been made with regard to the areas of concern of the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights.
CHR, 53rd session, 6 February 1997, E/CN.4/1997/64
UNGA, 52nd session, 16 October 1997, A/52/484
UNGA, 52nd session, 10 November 1997, A/52/587