The Burma Campaign UK today warmly welcomed a statement from European and Asian leaders which called for the release of Burma’s political prisoners. Representatives of 45 countries were meeting in China. The summit began on the day that Aung San Suu Kyi reached 13 years in detention.
“This is a significant breakthrough. It is the first time we have had Europe and Asia come together in this way to demand real political progress in Burma,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “The demand for the regime to release political prisoners is particularly significant. The release of all political prisoners is increasingly being considered the minimum benchmark for progress if Ban Ki-moon goes ahead with his visit to Burma in December.”
The number of political prisoners has almost doubled to more than 2,100 since the democracy uprising last year, despite calls for their release from the United Nations Security Council. In December Ban-Ki-moon is due to visit Burma to discuss the country’s political problems. It will be the first time a UN Secretary General has done so.
“This is a critical test to see whether the regime is prepared to engage in a political process, and whether political pressure really can influence the regime, said Mark Farmaner. “ASEM, the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, ASEAN, the EU and USA have all called for the release of prisoners and for genuine dialogue. We have had 37 UN envoys visit Burma and not a single political reform to show for it. Ban Ki-moons visit will be a make or break moment. If this does not work then it will be clear dialogue with this regime doesn’t work, and that discussions on a Security Council resolution should begin again.”
For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 02073244710.