A United Nations investigation into Myanmar on Wednesday urged the country's military rulers to end forced labour in the army and to halt all violence against trade unionists.
The International Labour Organisation’s Commission of Inquiry for Myanmar has recommended the Myanmar military authorities take “immediate action” to stop egregious violations of the two Conventions and prevent further abuses.
The three recent recommendations of the commission to Myanmar military are: to immediately cease all forms of violence, torture and other inhumane treatment against trade union leaders and members; to release and withdraw all criminal charges against trade unionists detained in relation to the exercise of their civil liberties and legitimate trade union activities; and to fully restore the protection of basic civil liberties suspended since the coup d’état.
Myanmar has three months to announce whether or not it accepts the recommendations; and if not, whether it proposes to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice.
The Commission also urges the military authorities to end the exaction of all forms of forced or compulsory labour by the army and its associated forces, as well as forced recruitment into the army.
The Commission also found that Myanmar did not comply with its obligations under the Forced Labour
The findings were collected by three independent experts of the Commission who conducted the inquiry by gathering written submissions from various entities and had direct contacts with persons affected by the complex political, human rights, humanitarian and economic crisis, as well as those having expert knowledge of the issues raised.
The report sets out further recommendations to be implemented once the country returns to a situation of governance through democratic institutions and processes.
It calls on all relevant parties to strive to achieve a peaceful transition to fully democratic rule.
The report of the Commission of Inquiry has been sent to the Permanent Mission of Myanmar in Geneva.
