1. Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996;

2. After the successful holding of the National Convention, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democratic state;

3. Drafting of a new constitution in accordance with basic principles and detailed basic principle laid down by the National Convention;

4. Adoption of the constitution through national referendum;

5. Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution;

6. Convening of Hluttaws attended by Hluttaw members in accordance with the new constitution;

7. Building a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the Hluttaw; and the government and other central organs formed by the Hluttaw.

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Four political objectives

• Stability of the State, community peace and tranquillity, prevalence of law and order
• National Reconsolidation
• Emergence of a new enduring State Constitution
• Building of a new modern developed nation in accord with the new State Constitution

Four economic objectives

• Development of agriculture as the base and all-round development of other sectors of the economy as well
• Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic system
• Development of the economy inviting participation in terms of technical know-how and investments from sources inside the country and abroad
• The initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in the hands of the State and the national peoples

Four social objectives

• Uplift of the morale and morality of the entire nation
• Uplift of national prestige and integrity and preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character
• Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit
• Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation

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1. A State attains some of its national objectives by adopting and implementing its domestic policies. However as it is interrelated with other states, it becomes necessary to adopt policies that would persuade other states to react favorably. To attain such objectives, a state needs to establish diplomatic relations with other states and work in concert towards joint resolutions and cooperative implementations of common issues. The conduct of such relations in a systematic and consistent manner is said to be the Foreign Policy of a State. Both domestic and Foreign Policies are intended to attain objectives of national interest. They are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.

2. To study the Foreign Policy of a State it is necessary to observe the basic objectives of its policy or its fundamental strategy. In adopting a Foreign Policy, States usually adopt one of the following principles:-

a. isolationism
b. non-alignment
c. polarization

3. Myanmar, since achieving independence, and for quite some time thereafter, adopted and practised an “independent”and “non-aligned”Foreign Policy. Evolution of the objectives of this policy may be observed as follows-

a. At the time of Myanmar’s independence, the international system has an Eastern and Western bloc, between which a “Cold War” was raging. It was also the time when colonial nations were regaining their independence.These newly independent states were in favour of adopting “independent” Foreign Policies,” “independent”in the sense of being totally free of outside influence.

b. For Myanmar, which wrested independence with great difficulty, only an “independent” Foreign Policy was congruent with independence.

c. Concurrently with independence, Myanmar faced an internal insurgency and therefore wished to avoid a disastrous contention on its soil between the Eastern and Western blocs.Hence it wished to be non-aligned between the two great blocs.

d. At the time of independence, it was essential to prioritize on economic and social reconstruction.It was declared at that time that foreign assistance , without any strings attached from both sides, will be accepted.

e. As Myanmar is geographically situated between two highly populous nations, India and China, it desired to be independent and non-aligned.

4. For the above mentioned reasons Myanmar consistently practised an Independent and non-aligned Foreign Policy.

B) Independent and Active Foreign Policy

5. Beginning in 1971 Myanmar transformed its independent and non-aligned Foreign Policy to an independent and active Foreign Policy. The State Law and Order Restoration Council , by its Declaration 3/88 of 18.9.88 promulgated that it would continue to adhere to the independent and active foreign policy.In practising its Independent and Active Foreign Policy, Myanmar will not align itself with any bloc on international issues except to consistently stand on the side that is right.Myanmar also actively participates in activities for world peace; opposes war, imperialism and colonialsm; and maintains friendly relations with all countries.

6. Myanmar practises the Independent and Active Foreign Policy in accordance with the following principles:

- respect of and adherence to the principle of equality among peoples and among nations and the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence;
- taking a non-aligned, independent and just stand in international issues;
- maintaining friendly relations with all nations, and good-neighbourly relations with neighbouring countries;
- continued support of, and active participation in, the United Nations and its affiliated organisations;
- pursuance of mutually beneficial bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes;
- regional consultation and beneficial cooperation in regional economic and social affairs;
- active participation in the maintenance of international peace and security and the creation of an equitable economic order and opposition to imperialism, colonialism, intervention, aggression and hegemonism;
- acceptance of foreign assistance which is beneficial to national development, provided there are no strings attached;

C) The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence

7. In 1954 Myanmar, China and India, during Chinese Premier Chou En Lai’s visit to India and Myanmar expounded the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Accordingly, on 28.6.1954 China and India signed in New Delhi and on 29.6.1954 Myanmar and China signed in Yangon, agreements to adhere to these Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are:

- mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;
- to abide by mutual non-agression;
- non-interference in each other’s internal affairs;
- respect for mutual equality and to work for mutual benefit; and
- peaceful co-existence

The above Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence still steadfastly remain the main cornerstone of Myanmar Foreign Policy.

8. In matters of world affairs and international issues, in line with the principles and purposes of the United Nations and on the basis of the principles of Peaceful Co-existence, Myanmar has acted as follows;

- actively participating in United Nations activities in accordance with its own basic principle;
- consistently supporting disarmament;
- opposing arms race, production and sales;
- supporting national liberation movements;
- supporting decolonialization;
- opposing aggression of imperialists;
- opposing colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination;
- supporting efforts to ensure world peace; and
- opposing aggressive imperialistic wars.

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The message of Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar,
on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Myanmar’s membership of ASEAN and 40th Anniversary of the ASEAN and the ASEAN Day.

Wednesday, 8 August, 2007

This Year marks the 40th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN as well as the 10th Anniversary of joining of Myanmar to ASEAN. Myanmar joined ASEAN in 1997 showing the solidarity with its Southeast Asian brethren with the expectation of cooperation and contributing to regional peace and stability, prosperity and development in the region and beyond. It is now an opportune moment for us to review on ASEAN and on Myanmar contribution and benefit we have made and accrued from it by joining ASEAN.

In the past ten years, Southeast Asia has been a haven of peace and harmony that enables a conducive environment for broad-based and robust economic development in the region. Unprecedented in the history of Southeast Asia, the leaders of all ten Southeast Asia nations meet together more frequently than ever and set the strategic vision for the destiny of our future.
During the past ten years, we have come to conclusion that we need to upgrade our relationship to a higher plane by integrating each other into an ASEAN Community, a caring and sharing community envisaged in our vision 2020. The goal of ASEAN community reinforces our
existing national priorities and objectives.

Believing that three pillars, balancing and interwoven together, will serve as a strong foundation for ASEAN Community, we have decided to build ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-cultural Community interlinking, reinforcing and strengthening each other. As we gain confidence in ASEAN Community building, we have decided to fast track our integration by 2015 instead of year 2020 at the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, the Philippines, early this year.

As an outward looking organization, ASEAN has been active in engagement with its dialogue partners and other regional organizations promoting a culture of cooperation rather than confrontation. Interaction with dialogue partners and other regional organizations has led to new and emerging regional architectures such as ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN+3 process and the East Asia Summit (EAS) etc, where ASEAN plays a driving force and a leading role. We are very much encouraged that more and
more countries in the world have converged to ASEAN-led initiatives and willing to work with us.

Through ASEAN, Myanmar has been able to promote its foreign policy goals interacting mutually beneficial ways with dialogue partners.

With the landmark 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter, the leaders of the ASEAN made a commitment to bring about the transformation of the ASEAN.ASEAN is currently working on its Charter to give the grouping its legal personality as well as to further strengthen its cooperation through enhanced structure ands decision making mechanism. The Leaders signed the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter, endorsing the Eminent PersonGroup’s report and directing a High Level Task Force
to begin drafting the Charter. The Charter is expected to be completed in time for the 13th ASEAN Summit in November 2007 in Singapore. The ASEAN Charter is listed as a goal in the Vientiane Action Programme presenting an opportunity for ASEAN to take stock of
its achievements.

The adoption of ASEAN Charter, the most significant milestone in the forty years history, will serve as a firm foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community and also confer a legal personality to ASEAN, I am confident that the ASEAN Charter, being drafted, will fulfill the aspiration and shared values of every member country and ASEAN as a whole.

I am glad to see that with the joining of ASEAN, Myanmar has effectively promoted trade and investment relations with ASEAN countries. ASEAN countries play a most important role in FDI inflow. With the realization of ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, I am confident that people of ASEAN will benefit most from the economic integration.

In the forty-year history, ASEAN not only has successes but experienced many challenges and threats such as Asian financial crisis, Haze problem, Tsunami, outbreak of SARS and Avian Flu. However, together we have shown our resilience and successfully met the challenges. Our way of working in solidarity, consultation, consensus, mutual respect and non-interference is our strength and I am confident that we will overcome the challenges with the cooperation of our partners.
On the socio-cultural fields, ASEAN would be able to address many issues affecting our region.
We could be able to promote our regional identity without compromising our own national identity.

Interaction among people, scholars, women, youth, media persons and civil society are truly promoting a people-centered ASEAN. On the auspicious occasion the ASEAN Day
as well as 40th Anniversary of ASEAN and 10th anniversary of Myanmar joining ASEAN, I wish to join others in congratulating the success of ASEAN and urge people of Myanmar to work together with other ASEAN citizens to realize the ASEAN Vision and to try to achieve ASEAN Community building in order that ASEAN Community will maintain as a cohesive and vibrant Community at the heart of dynamic Asia and the world.

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Cooperation with the United Nations

1. Cooperation with the United Nations is a cornerstone of Myanmar ’s foreign policy. In this spirit, Myanmar has consistently cooperated with the United Nations in various fields, including in the area of human rights. Myanmar provides necessary information and responds to communications sought by the United Nations bodies. It also submits reports to the relevant United Nations treaty bodies.

2. Myanmar ’s desire to cooperate with the United Nations is further demonstrated by the visits of senior United Nations officials to Myanmar . The former special envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Razali Ismail, visited Myanmar on 14 occasions and the current Special Rapporteur, Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, on 6 occasions during his 6-year mandate.

3. Recent visits of notable senior officials from United Nations agencies include those of the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr. Kul C. Gautam, in August 2006; Assistant Secretary-General of the Office for the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Margareta Wahlström, in April 2007; Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, in June 2007.

4. Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari had visited Myanmar three times previously. During his visit to the country from 29 September to 2 October, he called on the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe. He also had the opportunity to meet with Secretary I of the State Peace and Development Council and acting Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Sein. During his visit, he also met twice with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

5. The fourth visit of the Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser of the Secretary-General took place on 3 November. Myanmar has also agreed to welcome the seventh visit of the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council, Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, at a mutually convenient date in November 2007. Myanmar has also agreed in principle to the visit of Assistant Secretary-General Ms. Margareta Wahlström.

6. Myanmar has been waging a war against illicit narcotic drugs for decades. A comprehensive 15-year National Plan was put in place in 1999. National efforts against the illicit drug problem are based on two strategies; firstly, to strive for the eradication of narcotic drugs as a national task, and, secondly, to strive for total eradication of poppy cultivation through the promotion of living standards of all the national races residing in the border areas. These strategies are buttressed by strengthened legislation coupled with effective enforcement measures.

7. Numerous development projects have been carried out since 1992 to promote the living standards of the national races residing in the border areas. Alternative livelihood has been provided to farmers to encourage them to end their dependence on opium poppy cultivation. The “New Destiny Project” launched in April 2002 was designed to promote such activities and to provide support to poppy growers as they turn to alternative cash crops.

8. According to UNODC’s report, opium production in Myanmar has plummeted by 88 per cent over a span of 8 years. In terms of tonnage, production declined from 2,560 tons to an estimated 292 tons. The report of the Secretary-General also underscores that “Illicit opium production in South East Asia continued to decline for the sixth consecutive year. Opium poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle fell by some 80 per cent since 2000. That was largely due to large declines in such cultivation in Myanmar, where it decreased by a further 34 per cent to 21,500 hectares in 2006”. Myanmar ’s achievements in reducing poppy cultivation have also been documented in the World Drug Reports issued in recent years. In its Reports issued in 2006 and 2007, UNODC reported a further decrease of 26 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, in opium cultivation in 2005 and in 2006, respectively, in Myanmar .

9. At the regional level, Myanmar is working together with the other members of ASEAN to reach its common goal of making the region free from drugs by 2015. Myanmar has signed an MOU with six countries for the creation of a Greater Mekong Subregion drug-free zone. Myanmar aims to rid the country of narcotic drugs by 2014, one year ahead of the date set by ASEAN.
10. Myanmar ’s national efforts in combating the drug problem were carried out with little or no external assistance. It is regrettable that these sincere efforts have not received full acknowledgement and the support that they deserve.

11. Myanmar believes that the promotion and protection of human rights should be conducted in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law. Human rights issues must be addressed with objectivity, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. There should be no double standards or politicization of human rights issues.

12. Promotion and protection of human rights must be addressed in a global context through a constructive, dialogue-based and non-confrontational approach. It is only cooperation, rather than politicization of human rights, that can bring about improvements in human rights situations in the world.

13. Like other developing countries, Myanmar accords priority to the right to development. It has been striving for the all-round development of the country, paying attention to closing the gap between urban centres and rural areas, including the border areas where the majority of ethnic nationalities live.

14. Myanmar strongly supports the position of the Non-Aligned Movement, which opposes and condemns selectivity and double standards in the promotion and protection of human rights and the exploitation of human rights as pretext for political purposes.

15. Myanmar has long been a victim of a systematic disinformation campaign launched by anti-government elements, generously funded by their foreign supporters. The egregious allegations of human rights violations which invariably emanate from anti-government elements have found their way into the United Nations reports. Thus, there is a need to verify all information before it is judged fit for inclusion in official reports.

16. The vast majority of the so-called refugees on the Myanmar-Thai border are illegal economic migrants — a view shared by both Myanmar and its eastern neighbour. The rest are insurgents and their families, who seek temporary refuge in order to carry out cross-border terrorist acts.

17. The return of 17 armed groups to the legal fold has led to the restoration of peace and stability in the country, including in the border areas where the insurgents used to operate. Only the Kayin National Union (KNU) and the remnants of the former narco-trafficking armed groups are still fighting the Government. Counter insurgency campaigns are restricted to a few localities and conducted only against those who are engaged in acts of terrorism. The operations are to protect the life and property of peace-loving citizens. Such limited action in a few localities can in no way result in situations leading to a humanitarian crisis. It should be noted that the insurgents force villagers to abandon hearth and home and to flee across the border.

18. The issue of cross-border movement of peoples between Myanmar and Bangladesh is a bilateral issue which was resolved a long time ago between the two friendly neighbours in an amicable manner. Since 1992, over 230,000 returnees have been accepted by the Myanmar authorities under safe and voluntary conditions with the cooperation of UNHCR. This is an excellent example of resolving amicably bilateral issues between two neighbouring countries.

19. Child protection is part and parcel of our culture and tradition. It has been our practice even before it was put into international legal instruments. This fact should be borne in mind when the situation of child soldiers is considered.

20. With the return to the legal fold of 17 out of 18 armed insurgent groups, peace and stability prevails in almost all corners of the country. Under no circumstances can Myanmar be considered to be in a situation of armed conflict.

21. The Myanmar Armed Forces, including Tatmadaw (kyi), is an all-volunteer army and those who join the military service do so of their own free will. Under the relevant Myanmar Defence Services and War Office Council instructions, a person cannot be enlisted in the armed forces until he has attained the age of 18. Forced conscription in any form is strictly prohibited. A new Directorate has also been established to oversee strict adherence to the orders, regulations and directives in the recruitment process. The Committee for the Prevention of Military Recruitment of Underage Children has also been established since 5 January 2004 to prevent recruitment of underage children as soldiers, to protect the interests of underage children and to ensure faithful adherence to the orders and instructions for the protection of underage children. To realize its objectives, the Committee has adopted a Plan of Action to strictly scrutinize that children under 18 years of age are not recruited into the armed forces. The plan includes comprehensive measures such as recruitment procedures, procedures for discharge from military service, reintegration into society, public awareness measures, submission of recommendations and consultation and cooperation with international organizations, including UNICEF and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office. The Committee has also set up a task force composed of the relevant line ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement to systematically supervise implementation of the Plan of Action.

22. In order to raise awareness among those who are involved in the recruitment process, officers of the Office of the Adjutant-General conducts talks on the protection and promotion of child rights and the directives and regulations governing the recruitment process. UNICEF is also invited to conduct lectures on the protection and promotion of child rights. New recruits found to be underage at recruitment centres or training bases are discharged and handed back to their parents or guardians. Punitive action is taken against recruiters who contravene regulations. The Government has been providing detailed information regarding the progress of its awareness-raising activities, the number and specific particulars of the underage children discharged from the military and other pertinent data to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. This information was also provided to the resident representatives of UNDP and UNICEF, who have from time to time had occasion to visit recruitment centres to witness first hand the recruiting process.

23. At the invitation of the Government of Myanmar, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswami, visited Myanmar from 25 to 29 June 2007. She met with the Acting Prime Minister and Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, who is also the Chairman of the Committee for the Prevention of Military Recruitment of Underage Children. The strong political will to resolve the issue of underage recruitment was demonstrated during the meeting. The Director-General of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement was designated as focal point for the implementation of the Government’s plan of action. In addition to meeting with the Ministers, the SRSG had the opportunity to hold an interactive meeting with the members of the Committee for the Prevention of Military Recruitment of Underage Children. The meeting resulted in an agreement to develop an action plan, in line with international standards, in close cooperation with the United Nations country team, in particular with UNICEF. The SRSG also visited a recruitment centre in Mandalay .

24. In line with its commitment to resolve the issue of underage recruitment, the Government of Myanmar has undertaken a series of follow-up measures after the visit of the SRSG. At her request, an additional focal point for resolution 1612 (2005) was also established and the Director-General of the International Organizations and Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was designated for that task. A working group headed by the Director-General was formed in September 2007 to facilitate the establishment of monitoring and reporting mechanism.

25. Myanmar has made considerable progress in the fight against human trafficking both at the national level and in the regional context. The Government has carried out awareness-raising campaigns and has instituted effective law enforcement measures. The Penal Code, which provides legal provisions for heavy penalty against perpetrators, has been strengthened by the Anti-Human Trafficking Law enacted in September 2005. Moreover, nationwide preventive and supportive activities, capacity-building of its volunteers and educational talks on the subject of human trafficking are conducted extensively by national NGOs. The Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation is also actively engaged in taking measures to prevent trafficking of persons for sexual exploitation.

26. Myanmar believes that trafficking in persons is a serious transnational issue and that the elimination of this threat can be achieved only through a coordinated and collective response of all countries concerned. Accordingly, Myanmar has actively participated in the Bali process. To strengthen multisectoral response in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) through the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative (COMMIT), an agreement was signed in Yangon in October 2004. A Plan of Action to fight human trafficking was also adopted in Hanoi in 2005 as a follow up.

27. In March 2004, Myanmar acceded to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and two supplementary protocols, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air. The recent enactment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law further demonstrates Myanmar ’s commitment to combat human trafficking in keeping with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

28. Myanmar tradition, culture and values serve to protect women and girls from human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence. Myanmar categorically rejects the unfounded allegations of sexual violence levelled against its armed forces. The Myanmar military has been falsely accused of gang rape based on fallacious reports issued by the expatriate Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN), the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) and Kareni Human Rights (KHRG). It should be noted that in 2002, the United States State Department’s country report on Myanmar identified both SHRF and KHRG as organizations which have associations with insurgent armed groups. When one of the founding members of SWAN was in Washington, D.C. , the news media correctly identified her as the daughter of a commander of the Shan State Army (SSA). The SSA is an insurgent armed group and the United States State Department’s country report 2002 stated that the Shan State Army-South (SSA) “committed human rights abuses including killing, rapes, forced labour, and conscription of child soldiers”. The allegations levelled at the Myanmar military come from these groups associated with the insurgents.

29. Rape, let alone gang rape, is regarded by the Myanmar people and Government as a most dastardly and abhorrent crime. When such crime is committed, the Government ensures that the full force of law is applied against the perpetrators. Three separate investigations regarding these allegations have been carried out by authorities and organizations concerned, including the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation. In genuine cases, perpetrators were prosecuted and sentenced in accordance with the law.

30. Myanmar and the ILO have enjoyed good and cooperative relations since Myanmar joined the organization in 1948. After four decades of Myanmar ’s membership, its traditional practice of contributing labour for community development activities was seen in a negative light and brought before the ILO. The anti-government groups in the disguise of free trade unions exploited the labour issue to pursue their political agenda to bring the issue to the ILO. This eventually led to the filing of complaints by the workers group in June 1996 against Myanmar for the alleged non-observance of ILO Convention 29 (Forced Labour Convention of 1930).

31. Myanmar had shown its cooperation with ILO by inviting the ILO Technical Cooperation Mission to Myanmar four times during 2001-2002. The Myanmar Government fully cooperated with the ILO Liaison Officer a.i. in dealing with the complaints relating to the requisition of forced labour.

32. Myanmar also received the visit of a very High-Level Team from the ILO (vHLT) in February 2005. Despite those positive steps taken by the Government of Myanmar, the 93rd International Labour Conference held in June 2005 reactivated the punitive resolution adopted at its 88th session. Notwithstanding the negative measures taken by ILO, Myanmar has shown its firm commitment to the eradication of forced labour in the country and explored every avenue for how to cooperate with the ILO in a mutually constructive manner in the time and space available to Myanmar .

33. Subsequently Myanmar and the ILO continued their discussion for the establishment of a mechanism to handle cases of alleged forced labour. A senior-level ILO mission visited Myanmar in October 2006 to continue negotiations on the issue. On 26 February 2007, the Myanmar Government and the ILO reached agreement on the establishment of a mechanism to address forced labour. The agreement has been implemented to the mutual satisfaction of the Government and the ILO.

34. The mechanism to deal with forced labour complaints is now fully operational. It is functioning in assisting the Myanmar Government in its efforts to eliminate forced labour in the country. Complaints received and forwarded by the ILO Liaison Officer have been expeditiously investigated by the Myanmar authorities. Legal action has been taken against perpetrators. At the same time, the Government is cooperating with the ILO Liaison Officer to carry out his mandate. We are fully convinced that the progress achieved in this mechanism will eventually lead to the achievement of the goal of the eradication of forced labour in the country.

35. The progress achieved is reflected in the current report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to the sixty-second session of the General Assembly. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has acknowledged the progress made in Myanmar ’s cooperation with the ILO in his recent oral presentation to the Third Committee.

36. Although Buddhism is the religion of the majority of the people, other religions, such as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, coexist and flourish in Myanmar . Buddhism is based on tolerance and metta (loving kindness). The Government encourages and maintains inter-religious harmony, and freedom of worship is guaranteed by law and in practice. In major cities, pagodas, churches, mosques and Hindu temples can be seen side by side, testifying to the religious harmony and tolerance in Myanmar . Madame Sadako Ogata, following her visit to the country as an independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights, cited Myanmar as a “model society” for religious tolerance. Allegations of religious intolerance in Myanmar are groundless and are politically motivated.

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