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Press Release
EU leaders must back Brown on Burma – Kinnock
European leaders must back UK Prime Minister in calling for concerted international action on Burma, EU-MP and Burma Campaign UK patron Glenys Kinnock today urged.
It comes after Gordon Brown called for the UN Security Council to consider the grave situation in the country and as European Foreign Ministers prepare to discuss the situation.
MEPs will also vote on a resolution on Burma later this week.
Speaking from Strasbourg, Glenys Kinnock said:
“For too long the international community has allowed itself to be duped by the Burmese junta and its hollow promises of reform. Meanwhile, thousands of Burmese people have continued to suffer as forced labour, and to be arrested, tortured, raped and killed.”
“It’s time the dithering ended. EU leaders must back Gordon Brown’s call for UN Security Council action and unite behind clear timetables and benchmarks for genuine reform and the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma.”
The European Parliament resolution, to be put before MEPs in Strasbourg on Thursday, is anticipated to include calls for:
- European Foreign Ministers to strengthen the EU common position on Burma.
- European governments on the UN Security Council to ensure discussions on Burma and to work to obtain backing for a binding resolution on Burma.
- The EU to provide cross-border aid to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those most in need.
- An increase in EU funding for projects promoting human rights and democracy in Burma.
- EU support for the UN General Assembly demand for tripartite dialogue between the Burmese military regime, the National League for Democracy and ethnic nationalities.
Notes to the editor:
- Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday called for the situation in Burma to be considered by the UN security council and for countries and organizations with an influence over the regime to impress the need for an early transition to democratic rule.
- UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband is to discuss the issue with his European partners this week.
- Last month the Burmese junta arrested key democracy activists in midnight raids. The arrests happened on the eve of planned mass protest again fuel price increases of up to 500%
Ends.
For more information please call Lisa Stevens at the Labour European Office on 029 2022 1654 or the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 2 284 3736 or +32 479 790 053.