UN envoy warns 2015 election may not be genuine

The 2015 election will not be a genuine election if the government continues to oppress the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of association and peaceful assembly, Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, told the press.

During the press conference held at Yangon International Airport before her departure, the UN special envoy said she arrived in Myanmar shortly after the sentencing of four journalists and an editor of Unity Journal to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour under the 1923 State Secrets Act and charges have been brought under Section 18 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Act against 50 journalists who had staged a silent protest against the verdict. 

She has also received information of other arrests of journalists who had reported on issues deemed too sensitive or critical of those in power, such as government corruption. 

She was also told of the threats and intimidation faced by journalists, including most recently in trying to report on the recent violent incidents in Mandalay. Many spoke to her of a climate of uncertainty, intimidation and fear of arrest resulting in a form of self-censorship of the media.

“The enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and peaceful assembly are essential ingredients for Myanmar’s democracy and for debating and resolving political issues, particularly in the run-up to the 2015 elections. 

“Electoral periods are important moments in the life of a nation with the potential to consolidate and strengthen democratic principles and practices. The mere fact that elections are held is not an adequate indicator of democracy. 

“The process leading up to the election is a crucial component of a democratic society. Thus, there should be strict and clear safeguards to prevent undue interference in public freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly and association. 

“In effect, genuine elections cannot be achieved if these rights are curtailed,” she said.

As the reforms process has demonstrated, they can be and should be amended whenever there are deficiencies and are not in line with international standards. The 1982 Citizenship Law should not be an exception, she said.

She was worried about the backtracking of the democracy reforms and called for the release of more political prisoners. She also urged the government to promote women’s role in the country’s affairs. 

She expressed worries over the situation of refugees in Kachin state and highlighted the importance of reducing tensions and hostility and promoting reconciliation between the two communities in Rakhine state.

She urged the government to prohibit hate speech that has fuelled the Mandalay violence and called for a specific law to prohibit and combat hate speech, without exceedingly limiting the freedom of expression.

Lee arrived in Myanmar on the night of July 16 and has visited Insein Prison, Kachin and Rakhine, and the Mandalay region. She also met with ministers and department heads in Nay Pyi Taw.

She also met with the National League for Democracy chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi, the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, Myanmar Human Rights Commission and Interfaith Dialogue Group.