New Delhi - A Burmese human rights activist says UN Special Rappatouer Tomas Ojea Quintana's report on the 'Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar' and his recommendations will be meaningless unless the international community backs it up and takes action.
"If there is no reaction from the international community then the report will be just as good as blank paper, it will be nothing useful," said Aung Myo Min, Director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB).
Aung Myo Min's comment came as Quintana released a report on his findings during his trip to the country in August regarding the human rights situation in Burma.
Quintana, in his report, said in order to move ahead with democratic reforms the Burmese government should implement four core human rights elements.
"The Government should implement progressively the four core human rights elements and complete them before the elections of 2010," said Quintana.
His proposed four core human rights elements entail a review of national legislation in accordance with the new constitution and international obligations, the progressive release of prisoners of conscience, and a review of the authority and power of the armed forces and judicial system review.
"In its current functioning, the judiciary is not independent and is under the direct control of the government and the military," Quintana said.
Aung Myo Min said that while he agrees with the UN rights expert's recommendations and proposal it is unlikely that the junta will follow any of them unless there is stronger action from the international community.
He said unless the Burmese junta implements changes in accordance to Quintana's recommendations and in respect to the Universal Human Rights Declaration, the upcoming 2010 election is not going to result in a step forward toward democratization.
"If things continue as they are, 2010 is unlikely to witness a democratic election," said Aung Myo Min.
In order to force the junta to implement the changes and follow the UN recommendations, the international community and UN will need to put more pressure on the junta, Aung Myo Min said.
