A/HRC/7/18 page 21 98. The Special Rapporteur believes it is important that Member States support effective initiatives to deal with common concerns of society in Myanmar and in the region. Joint initiatives on issues of common concern, such as the environment, economic growth and development, educational modernization, medical research and engineering and technology, which could prove to be paths to progress, should be explored. All these initiatives must have as their goal the encouragement of an effective democratic transition and the promotion of higher standards of living and the protection of human rights of the people of Myanmar. VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS 99. The Special Rapporteur’s recommendations made in his previous reports remain valid in view of the prevailing situation in Myanmar and the non-implementation by the Government of those recommendations. 100. The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government of Myanmar: (a) To urgently release all political prisoners at risk, including female political prisoners and those who are elderly and ill, as a first step towards the release of all political prisoners; (b) To resume, without further delay, dialogue with all political actors, including NLD members and representatives of ethnic groups, with a view to having their views included in the drafting of the constitution prior to its finalization; (c) To take all necessary steps to secure the right to freedom of opinion and expression as well as peaceful association of all persons and to repeal and reform laws that circumscribe fundamental freedoms as part of the road map to elections; (d) To end the ongoing prosecution of political and human rights activists and to ensure free and fair trials in accordance with international recognized standards and the requirements of the due process of law; (e) To take urgent measures to eliminate discriminatory practices against ethnic groups and to ensure that no further discrimination is carried out; (f) To put an end to the restrictions on the peaceful exercise of fundamental freedoms by human rights defenders, victims of human rights abuses and their representatives; (g) To establish a mechanism at the local level to ensure coordination on cross-border health issues and to implement bilateral agreed actions; (h) To seek international technical assistance with a view to establishing an independent and impartial judiciary that is consistent with international standards and principles;