UN calls on new government to demonstrate change

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The UN Secretary-General has called on Burma’s new government to demonstrate a ‘genuine move away’ from ‘direct military rule’.


In a statement issued on Wednesday following the official announcement in Naypyidaw of the transfer of power from the military junta’s State Peace and Development Council to a new government, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for dialogue and national reconciliation. 


The UN Secretary-General’s statement was issued on the day retired General Thein Sein, the leader of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, was sworn in as president of Burma. After swearing in the new government, the State Peace and Development Council transfered the legislative power, executive power and judicial power to the new government, according to a government statement.

‘The Myanmar authorities now have an opportunity and, indeed, an obligation to their people, to demonstrate that this change is one of substance and that it is the start of a genuine move away from almost fifty years of direct military rule’, the UN secretary-general said.  

Ban said he believes ‘the authorities must engage in an inclusive dialogue with all relevant parties on broad reforms necessary for the development of a credible system of government that can effectively address the political and socio-economic challenges facing Myanmar’.

He noted that ‘responding to the longstanding aspirations of the Myanmar people for national reconciliation, democratization and respect for human rights remains essential to laying the foundations for durable peace and development in the country’.

In February, Ban voiced hope that the newly-convened Parliament’s election of a new president and vice-presidents would mark the beginning of a change from the status quo.

At the time of the elections in Burma in November, Ban called for the release of all remaining political prisoners and highlighted the need to include in the transition all those who were excluded from the elections.   

In his statement, he said ‘the United Nations is committed to continue to work with all relevant actors toward building a stable and fully democratic future’ in which all of the people of Burma can contribute.  


Source:http://mizzima.com/news/breaking-and-news-brief/5095-un-calls-on-new-government-to-demonstrate-change.html