Summary: The present report is submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 61/232. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the decision of the Government of Myanmar to reconvene the National Convention for its last session on 18 July 2007, to finish laying down principles for a new constitution as part of a seven-stage road map to democracy. He remains concerned, however, at the lack of opportunity for effective and genuine participation by the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic groups, which have deliberately chosen not to participate owing to the lack of transparency and meaningful input. He has repeated on several occasions that there will be no authentic democratic transition in Myanmar until all political prisoners are released. Given the importance of the last phase of the National Convention, he deplores the extension of the house arrest of the NLD General Secretary and the continued detention of other political leaders. At a time of such importance to the political reform process and in view of the need for reconciliation, such severe treatment of senior ethnic nationality leaders sends a very counterproductive signal, shocking many citizens and human rights observers. The human rights concerns enumerated in the present report are largely very similar to those highlighted by the Special Rapporteur last year. The Special Rapporteur deplores the fact that the Government, despite several requests, has not invited him to visit the country. For this reason he was not able to assess any improvements or verify the accuracy of the allegations received from credible sources. Severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms are imposed on political activists and human rights defenders. As of 27 June 2007, the number of political prisoners was estimated at 1,192. Throughout the country communities are subjected to patterns of abuse by members of the military who, in order to assert greater central government control, and often to implement national development projects, resort to forced labour, the seizure of property and assets and the forced relocation of populations, particularly in the border areas where ethnic nationality groups reside. The lack of an effective commitment by the Government of Myanmar to respond to the human rights situation continues to raise serious concerns. At the national level, the capacity of law enforcement institutions and the independence and impartiality of the judiciary have been hindered by sustained impunity. The restrictions on the exercise of fundamental freedoms by political opponents, human rights defenders and victims of human rights abuses is also a matter of concern. The Special Rapporteur also takes note with great satisfaction of the Understanding between the International Labour Organizations and the Government of Myanmar, concluded on 26 February 2007, to provide a mechanism to enable victims of forced labour to seek redress. The Special Rapporteur has also noted concrete developments which he considers to be significant milestones in the fight against impunity in Myanmar. These include the establishment of a national redress mechanism to receive complaints of forced labour, and the dialogue initiated by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict with the Government regarding the development of an action plan to halt recruitment of child soldiers and to develop reintegration programmes and the setting up of a national mechanism to report on human rights violations committed against children during armed conflict. These mechanisms should lead to greater access to currently restricted areas for the provision of humanitarian assistance, as well as the monitoring of violations. The Special Rapporteur is convinced that Myanmar would benefit from more active cooperation with his mandate, now under terms of reference that have been redefined by the Human Rights Council. He insists that it is his obligation to go public about allegations of human rights violations, but that this does not exclude a constructive and continuous dialogue with the Government. These two elements of his mandate can contribute to a new dynamic for the improvement of the situation of human rights in the country. As indicated by the Special Rapporteur in his previous report, it will not be easy for Myanmar to promote political transition and basic human rights. The collaboration of the United Nations and the international community are essential to support the efforts of the Government and civil society. In his recommendations, the Special Rapporteur encourages the international community to promote a framework of principles to enable Member States to pursue a plurality of strategies and cooperation with the Government of Myanmar in accordance with their particular strengths and capacities. It is urgent that the international community build on existing programmes of humanitarian assistance and support health, education and human rights, in particular through support to the development of civil society.