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Press
Releases People's Tribunal Addresses UN Commission on
Human Rights The People's Tribunal on Food Scarcity and Militarization in Burma made its submission to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights 56th Session in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, April 3, 2000. Under accreditation from the Asian Legal Resource Centre, Tribunal panelist Professor Mark Tamthai addressed the Commission on "The Question of Food Scarcity in the Union of Myanmar" within Agenda Item 10: Economic, social and cultural rights. Asking "What are your hopes and dreams for the future?" Professor Tamthai brought listeners attention to some of the voices heard by the Tribunal. He concluded by calling for more international effort to address socio-economic realities in Burma. Other speakers expressed concern over food security there and lent support to the Tribunal, including representatives from Aliran Kesedaran Negara, War Resisters International and Worldview International Foundation. States delegates received copies of the Asian Legal Resource Centre's written submission to the Commission, "Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Food scarcity in Myanmar" (E/CN.4/2000/NGO/61), the only official document exclusively addressing human rights conditions in Burma by a non-government organisation presented during this Session. The Myanmar Observer Delegation offered no reply to the Asian Legal Resource Centre, however in answering the Special Rapporteur's report on the "Situation of human rights in Myanmar" (E/CN.4/2000/38) the Myanmar Ambassador rejected concerns raised in response to analyses of the People's Tribunal and World Bank. "It is well known that, far from having a shortage of food, Myanmar has been a traditional exporter of rice." ["Statement by Ambassador U Mya Than, Leader of the Myanmar Observer Delegation on submission of the report by Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah (Agenda Item 9)", March 30, 2000.] In addition to Professor Tamthai's formal submission, the Tribunal organized a parallel event featuring a panel discussion, "Right to Food: Burma, the Hungry Nation", on Friday, March 31. Comprising Professor Tamthai (People's Tribunal), Dr. Thaung Htun and Naw May Oo Khyne (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma), Mr. Greg Thompson (Australian Council For Overseas Aid), the panel was moderated by Mr. Sanjeewa Liyanage (Asian Legal Resource Centre). Dialogue centered on the Tribunal findings and alternatives for development of people's economic rights and democratization in Burma. Professor Tamthai reviewed the Tribunal process and recommendations; Dr. Thaung Htun examined overall socio-economic conditions in the country; Naw May Oo Khyne focused on marginalized and internally displaced people in remote areas and Mr. Greg Thompson on the engagement or boycott dilemma faced by outside agencies hoping to work in the country. Discussion participants included representatives of state delegations, media and non-government organizations such as the UN World Food Programme, Care International and World Vision. Throughout the Commission proceedings, copies of the Tribunal report Voice of the Hungry Nation, the poster Burma: The Hungry Nation and other publications have been made available. The full text of the submission and other documents are on the Tribunal website, www.hrschool.org/tribunal.
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PEOPLE'S TRIBUNAL ON FOOD SCARCITY AND MILITARIZATION IN BURMA
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