A/HRC/4/14 page 7 III. OVERVIEW OF THE SIX-YEAR MANDATE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR 15. The Special Rapporteur in his previous report to the Human Rights Council (E/CN.4/2006/34, paras. 9-22) presented an overview of his activities during his six-year term which he does not wish to reiterate in the present report. In this last precious opportunity to address the Council as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, he prefers to share some reflections on his experiences during the last six years. 16. At the time he was appointed in December 2000, the Special Rapporteur decided to propose to the Government that he undertake a three-day visit to prepare his first official mission. This was somewhat unconventional, but the political situation in the country was already very tense. For five years, his predecessor, Rajsoomer Lallah, had not been allowed to visit the country, and the Special Rapporteur thought that this would be a way to engage with the Government in a new form of dialogue on human rights. 17. The Government of Myanmar has affirmed - and the Special Rapporteur agrees - that the five missions which followed that first visit were an important indicator of its cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the same kind cooperation has not taken place during the last three years and two months, seriously curtailing his ability to report. The Special Rapporteur has tried to explain to the Government of Myanmar that official visits would give an opportunity to the Special Rapporteur to verify allegations of human rights violations and would allow the Government to have its views reflected in the report. Since his last mission to Myanmar in November 2003, the Special Rapporteur has written on many occasions to the Government seeking an invitation to visit the country, without success. He has not even received a written reply. 18. During the course of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has maintained regular contacts with representatives of Myanmar in Geneva and New York, and with its ambassadors in many capitals. The Special Rapporteur has made every effort, particularly in the last three years, to convince the Government of Myanmar to work towards the protection and promotion of human rights and to fulfil its international obligation of cooperation in the field of human rights. The representatives of Myanmar - despite their urbane treatment of the Special Rapporteur, which it is only fair to acknowledge - have preferred to denounce the Special Rapporteur’s findings as inaccurate, biased or politically motivated instead of simply investigating the allegations reported by the Special Rapporteur. 19. The Special Rapporteur reaffirms that he has maintained his independence, impartiality and objectivity in weighing the information provided by various sources. During his 11 years of association with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, the Special Rapporteur has done his best to report honestly on the progress made and obstacles faced by Governments in promoting and protecting human rights. At this end of his endeavours, the Special Rapporteur is distressed to conclude that the Government of Myanmar has decided to refuse to cooperate with the mandate and with the Human Rights Council. 20. The duties of the Special Rapporteur include analysing problems and trying to find solutions. Constructive criticism is more easily accepted than tongue-lashing, especially when such criticism is accompanied by concrete gestures of cooperation. Achieving progress in a