A/RES/57/231 Affirming that the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government and that the will of the people of Myanmar was clearly expressed in the elections held in 1990, Affirming also that the establishment of a genuine democratic government in Myanmar is essential for the realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, 1. Welcomes: (a) The preliminary steps taken by the Government of Myanmar towards democracy, in particular the release from house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi on 6 May 2002 and her subsequent internal freedom of movement, the release of a number of political prisoners and the relaxation of some constraints on some political activities of the National League for Democracy; (b) The appointment by the International Labour Organization of a liaison officer in Myanmar as a first step towards the establishment of its full and effective representation in Myanmar; (c) The visits to Myanmar by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar during the past year, the visits by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, and the cooperation extended to them by the Government of Myanmar; (d) Cross; The continuing cooperation with the International Committee of the Red (e) The dissemination of human rights standards for public officials and some non-governmental organizations and ethnic groups through the convening of a series of human rights workshops; 2. Notes the establishment by the Government of Myanmar of a committee on human rights as a precursor to the establishment of a national human rights commission, which would follow the Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights annexed to General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993; 3. Expresses its grave concern at: (a) The ongoing systematic violation of the human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, of the people of Myanmar; (b) Extrajudicial killings; rapes and other forms of sexual violence carried out by members of the armed forces; torture; renewed instances of political arrests and continuing detentions, including of prisoners who have served their sentences; forced relocation; destruction of livelihoods; forced labour; denial of freedom of assembly, association, expression and movement; discrimination on the basis of religious or ethnic background; wide disrespect for the rule of law and lack of independence of the judiciary; deeply unsatisfactory conditions of detention; systematic use of child soldiers; and violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, in particular food and medical care, and to education; (c) The disproportionate suffering of members of ethnic minorities, women and children from such violations; (d) The situation of the large number of internally displaced persons and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries; 2