A/HRC/31/71 I. Introduction 1. In the present report, submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to its resolution 28/23, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, examines the developments in Myanmar since her reports to the Council, in March 2015 (A/HRC/28/72) and to the General Assembly, in October 2015 (A/70/412). Building on these and other past reports, the Special Rapporteur identifies key priority areas for the new Government in addressing prevailing human rights concerns. 2. Four years of wide-ranging reforms have brought fundamental changes to Myanmar. During that time, thousands of political prisoners were released, numerous laws were adopted or reformed, and significant steps were taken towards allowing greater media freedom and government transparency. The general elections held in November 2015, which were assessed positively by both national and international observers (despite some irregularities and pre-election concerns), saw the National League for Democracy (NLD) win an absolute majority. 3. The new Government will now face formidable human rights challenges. The transition period following the elections has been smooth and peaceful, but also one of great uncertainty. Allegations of human rights violations continue to be reported, including arrests and prosecutions of civil society actors for peaceful and democratic activities. At this important juncture, the Government should not only further the reforms initiated by outgoing President Thein Sein, but also create an environment in which communities, civil society actors and human rights defenders may speak out and protest peacefully without fear of reprisal. The international community should remain engaged and support Myanmar in furthering reforms and in fulfilling its international human rights obligations. 4. Owing to personal circumstances, the Special Rapporteur was unable to conduct her fourth official visit to Myanmar. She thanks the Government for its cooperation and flexibility in these circumstances, including its readiness to respond in writing to questions submitted by the Special Rapporteur. In the preparation of the present report, conference calls were conducted with national and international stakeholders and information was collected from a wide range of sources. II. Elections of 8 November 2015 5. On 8 November 2015, Myanmar voted in historic general elections, which were welcomed by the Secretary-General as “a significant achievement in Myanmar’s democratic transition”. The more than 12,000 international and national observers concluded that the polls had been generally well organized, orderly and peaceful. 1 Turnout was estimated at 70 per cent, with thousands casting their votes for the first time. In the elections for the Upper House of the Union Parliament, the NLD won 135 seats, the Union and Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), 11 and other parties, 22. In the Lower House, the NLD won 255 seats, the USDP, 30 and other parties, 38. Elections were postponed in around 600 village tracts, mainly in Kachin and Shan States, due to security concerns. 1 2 See Carter Centre, “Carter Center Congratulates Myanmar People on Election, Urges Key Democratic Reforms”, press release, 10 November 2015, and European Union Election Observers Mission, “A well-run, competitive election with legal reforms and procedural improvements remaining”, press release, 10 November 2015.