A/RES/58/247 adopted by the International Labour Conference at its eighty-eighth session, on 14 June 2000, concerning the practice of forced or compulsory labour in Myanmar, 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, Recognizing that good governance, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are essential to achieving sustainable development and economic growth, Taking note of the increasing awareness of the Government of Myanmar of the need to comprehensively address the production of opium in Myanmar, Taking note also of the road map for the transition to democracy announced by the Prime Minister of Myanmar on 30 August 2003, 1. Welcomes: (a) The visits to Myanmar by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar during the past year and the visits by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; (b) Efforts by the international community, including support from countries in the region, to encourage the Government of Myanmar to resume its efforts towards national reconciliation and dialogue, pursuant to acknowledging the importance of strengthening democracy as a fundamental element of regional security; (c) The report of the Secretary-General; 9 (d) The interim report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; 10 (e) The agreement, reached on 27 May 2003, on the Joint Government of the Union of Myanmar-International Labour Organization Plan of Action for the Elimination of Forced Labour Practices in Myanmar, including the agreement to an independent facilitator to assist possible victims of forced labour, while noting that the conditions for the implementation of the Plan of Action do not exist at present; (f) The continued cooperation of the Government of Myanmar with the International Committee of the Red Cross; 2. Expresses its grave concern at: (a) The events of 30 May 2003, the corresponding, subsequent and continuing violations of human rights, which constitute a serious setback for the human rights situation in the country, and the apparent involvement of the Government-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Association in those events; _______________ 9 A/58/325 and Add.1. See A/58/219. 10 2