A/RES/67/233 Situation of human rights in Myanmar 3. Further welcomes the efforts by the Government of Myanmar to ensure that the parliamentary by-elections held in Myanmar on 1 April 2012 were well organized and transparent, and is encouraged by the subsequent participation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, along with many other political parties, in the Parliament of Myanmar; Welcomes the increasing space for political activity, assembly, speech and 4. the press, including the abolition, on 20 August 2012, of direct press media censorship, and encourages the Government of Myanmar to fulfil its commitment to carry out comprehensive media reform, including to allow for free and independent media and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of human rights defenders to pursue their activities; Also welcomes the continued release of prisoners of conscience during 5. the past year, urges the Government of Myanmar to continue the process of releasing them without delay and without conditions and to ensure the full restoration of their rights and freedoms in line with the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, and, further, recommends that the Government conduct a comprehensive, thorough and inclusive investigation to identify remaining prisoners of conscience; Expresses concern about remaining human rights violations, including 6. arbitrary detention, forced displacement, land confiscations, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, and urges the Government of Myanmar to step up its efforts to put an end to such violations; Calls upon the Government of Myanmar to take necessary measures to 7. ensure accountability and end impunity, including by undertaking a full, transparent and independent investigation into all reports of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law; Recommends that the Government of Myanmar consider ratifying further 8. international instruments in the fields of human rights, labour law, refugee law and humanitarian law; Welcomes the continuing review of legislation to assess its compatibility 9. with international human rights law, the adoption of new laws, including on peaceful protests and labour rights, and the consultation with relevant stakeholders, including civil society and international organizations, on some of the draft laws, and encourages the Government of Myanmar to continue its review, including of new laws, establishing an order of priority to ensure that they are compatible with international standards, while ensuring broad consultation, and to support the implementation of reforms, including at the local level; 10. Acknowledges with interest the activities undertaken by the National Human Rights Commission, including its review of complaints and its conduct of investigative missions, and encourages it to further develop its protection work and engagement with civil society, while recalling the need to ensure the Commission’s independent, free, credible and effective functioning in accordance with the Paris Principles; 6 _______________ 6 Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (resolution 48/134, annex). 2/4