A new appeal from the United Nations to the Burmese Government to "respond to the proofs of support and solidarity coming from all over the world, which must be respected, by removing any kind of structural or other obstacles" for the affected populations to "be able to enjoy their right to receive the assistance and aids they need, and for the international community to be able to provide them". It was made today by the independent expert for human rights and international solidarity of the United Nations, Rudi Muhammed Rizki, and by the delegate of the Secretary General for the human rights of internal refugees, Walter Kälin, expressing "their sympathy with and deep concern" for the population of Myanmar, affected by the Nargis typhoon. "International solidarity must be directed to protecting human rights, especially those of the most vulnerable populations that have been hit hardest by the catastrophe", state the UN experts. In a country in which 90% of the population has been estimated to live below the threshold of poverty, say the experts, there is "an urgent, fundamental need for international cooperation, not only in the short term, but also in the long-term reconstruction of the country". So, they recall that international cooperation is a duty, as also laid down under the UN Charters, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and several other treaties.
