YANGON, Myanmar, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Political transition and reconciliation must be based on inclusiveness, a U.N. envoy told authorities in Myanmar after meeting with a pro-democracy leader.
Myanmar had its first general election in nearly 20 years in early November, saying it would open the door to civilian participation. The international community said the election was a sham, however.
Vijay Nambiar, a special U.N. adviser on Myanmar said after meeting with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi that all interests must be represented in the political environment after the election.
"In order to succeed, any political transition should be broad-based and inclusive, and involve not only those who participated and won seats in the election, but also those who did not or could not," he said in a statement.
Myanmar passed a series of measures before that election that meant several political parties, including Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, couldn't compete in the polls.
Suu Kyi was released from her house arrest Nov. 13, after spending nearly 20 years in detention.
Nambiar said it was time for Myanmar authorities to build on that development and release the estimated 2,200 political prisoners that are still behind bars.
