A/RES/49/197 Page 3 4. Repeats its call on the Government of Myanmar to release unconditionally and immediately the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now in her sixth year of detention without trial, and other political leaders and remaining political prisoners; 5. Welcomes the recent meetings between the Government of Myanmar and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and encourages the Government of Myanmar to engage in a substantive political dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders, including representatives from ethnic groups, as the best means of promoting national reconciliation and the full and early restoration of democracy; 6. Also welcomes the recent discussions between the Government of Myanmar and the SecretaryGeneral, and further encourages the Government of Myanmar to continue to cooperate fully with the SecretaryGeneral; 7. Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and to ensure that political parties can function freely; 8. Notes with concern that most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 are still excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, and that one of its objectives is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State, and notes also that there is as yet no process or timetable for concluding the National Convention; 9. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to democratically elected representatives; 10. Urges the Government of Myanmar to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and assembly, and the protection of the rights of persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, and to put an end to violations of the right to life and integrity of the human being, to the practices of torture, abuse of women, forced labour and forced relocations, and to enforced disappearances and summary executions; 11. Appeals to the Government of Myanmar to consider becoming a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 2/ and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 2/ and to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment; 9/ 12. Urges the Government of Myanmar to fulfil its obligations as a State party to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and to the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87) of the International Labour Organization; 13. Stresses the importance for the Government of Myanmar to give particular attention to conditions in the country’s jails and to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to communicate freely and confidentially with prisoners; 9/ Resolution 39/46, annex. /...