On September 20th 2005, Vaclav Havel and Desmond Tutu published a report commissioned from global law firm DLA Piper. The report found that Burma fits the criteria for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) intervention. It calls on UNSC members to pass a resolution requiring the regime to work with the United Nations in restoring democracy to Burma, and to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all prisoners of conscience.

Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, has backed the report, and called on governments to act. The government of the United States of America has responded by saying it will work with other countries to bring Burma to the UNSC. The British government also supports the call to bring Burma to the UNSC.

On 16 December 2005 the first ever debate on Burma was held at the UNSC. On 31 May 2006, the UN Security Council held a second briefing on Burma following a visit to Burma by UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari.

in January the campaign for Security Council action on Burma suffered a setback when China and Russia vetoed a resolution requiring the restoration of democracy to Burma. While it is a very disappointing result, in fact the majority of the Security Council voted for the resolution. The campaign has also acted as a catalyst for pressure in other areas, including a stronger line from ASEAN countries. We have pushed Burma to the top of the international agenda and with your support we can keep it there.

Please send a letter to your MP, asking them to sign EDM 662, calling on the international community to address the situation in Burma as a matter of urgency.

Letters in your own words are most effective. It takes a little longer, but has a much bigger impact. Letters don't need to be long, one paragraph is enough.

Send your letter to your MP at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

You can find out who your local MP is by phoning the House of Commons Information Office on 020 7219 4272 or visiting www.locata.co.uk/commons

Check here to see if your MP has signed EDM 662


EDM 662

VETO OF DRAFT UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON BURMA

That this House is deeply dismayed by the veto by the Russian and Chinese governments of the draft United Nations Security Council Resolution on 12th January calling on Burma's rulers to free all political detainees, cease attacks on ethnic minorities and speed a transition to democracy; shares the concern expressed in the draft resolution at the slow pace of tangible progress in the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar and the continuing detention of political prisoners, including the leader of the National League of Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi; notes that the draft resolution also accused Burma's armed forces of attacking and raping civilians from the country's ethnic minorities and causing a refugee crisis in the region; believes that the situation in Burma threatens international peace and security; is appalled by the continuing suffering of the Burmese people; and calls upon the international community to address the situation as a matter of urgency.