A/RES/56/231 Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy, inter alia, on their freedom to function and to communicate with the outside world, Gravely concerned that the legal system is effectively used as an instrument of oppression, inter alia, through the intimidation and detention of lawyers, Recognizing that the systematic violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights by the Government of Myanmar have had a significant adverse effect on the health and welfare of the people of Myanmar, Welcoming the three visits to Myanmar by the Special Envoy of the SecretaryGeneral during the past year, and the visits by the Special Rapporteur, as well as by the high-level team of the International Labour Organization, and the cooperation extended to them by the Government of Myanmar, Cautiously encouraged by signs of progress in the ongoing political process in Myanmar, as reported by the Special Rapporteur, especially the release of political prisoners and the relaxation of some of the constraints governing the operation of legal political parties, but still concerned at the slow speed of the process, 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for his interim report 5 as well as his oral presentation; 6 2. Welcomes the assistance extended to the Special Rapporteur by the Government of Myanmar during his exploratory visit in April 2001 and his first fact-finding mission in October 2001, which enabled him to establish direct contacts with the Government and all other relevant sectors of society, and calls upon the Government to continue to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, to allow him to conduct further field missions, without preconditions, and to implement fully his recommendations; 3. Also welcomes the report of the Secretary-General 7 on the visits to the country of his Special Envoy for Myanmar, strongly endorses his efforts to help facilitate the national reconciliation process among all interested parties in Myanmar, and encourages the Government of Myanmar to establish a constructive and regular dialogue with the Secretary-General in order to make better use of his good offices; 4. Deplores the continued violations of human rights in Myanmar, including extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, enforced disappearances, rape, torture, inhuman treatment, forced labour, including the use of children, forced relocation and denial of freedom of assembly, association, expression, religion and movement; 5. Welcomes the initiation of confidence-building contacts between the Government and Aung San Suu Kyi, General-Secretary of the National League for Democracy, and hopes that such talks will be extended at an appropriate time to include, among others, representatives of ethnic minorities, thereby facilitating broad-based and inclusive national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy; _______________ 5 See A/56/312. See Official Records the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth Session, Third Committee, 35th meeting, (A/C.3/56/SR.35), and corrigendum. 7 A/56/505. 6 2