Burma Update – 19 February 2010 Page 1 of 2

BURMA UPDATE
19 FEBRUARY 2010
DISAPPOINTED AND REGRET UN HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR
ON BURMA, TOMAS OJEA QUINTANA

“I deeply regret that my special request to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was
not granted. I had requested specifically to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in advance
of my mission. Nonetheless this meeting did not take place. I am disappointed that
even this time I was not able to see her in this crucial time of the election year, which
will be the first national elections in 20 years. Her role in the elections will be critical
for the coming elections to be seen as credible,” UN Human Rights Special
Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana told newsmen at the press conference held at the
Rangoon International Airport this evening just before he boarded the plane for
Bangkok.

“If granted my meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi would have been positive
indication of the Burma government’s willingness to engage with the international
human rights system,” said Quintana in despair.

“Anyhow during my talks with government authorities I have repeatedly

requested to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi immediately from her house arrest,”
Quintana further told the press.

“Despite anticipation of landmark elections this year, I have not received any
indication that the military government is willing to release all prisoners of
conscience. The military government does not accept that there are any prisoners of
conscience in Burma,” Quintana continued to explain to the press.

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Burma Update – 19 February 2010 Page 2 of 2

Continuing, Quintana said in the coming elections Burma people should be

able to cast their votes without fear.

“Without full participation of the people including the 2200 prisoners of

conscience and the environment that allows the parties to engage in the range of
electoral activities, the elections to be held will not be credible,” Quintana announced
his opinion at the press conference.

The UN envoy said during his five day mission in Burma, he has met and
held talks with 15 prisoners of conscience including activists, journalists, community
figures of Shan State and members of Muslim minority. Deploring that some
prisoners he met had been given 65 years imprisonment, Quintana said some
prisoners had been found to have been placed at prisons in remote areas.

Explaining that he had for two days made a study tour of Rakhine State and
visited prisons there Quintana said: “I am deeply concerned about the systematic
and indiscrimination faced by the Muslim community.”

Quintana also mentioned that in his visit to Nay Pyi Taw he had met with
Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Labour, Chief Justice and Attorney General.
In conclusion, Quintana expressed his gratitude to military government for allowing
him to visit Burma.

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