The Burma Campaign UK today said it was astonished and appalled by the European Unions feeble response to the brutal crackdown on Burma’s democracy movement.
“I cannot believe it has taken the EU six days since the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi to come up with such a limp response”, said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “Burma’s people are dying while the EU dithers.”
The Burma Campaign UK is calling for immediate investment sanctions against Burma to cut the economic lifeline of the regime. The US has had such sanctions in place for five years, but the EU has taken a much softer line on the dictatorship.
“The regime is taking a gamble”, says Jackson. “It is gambling that the international community, and in particular European countries, will do nothing. The US already has investment sanctions, and Burma’s Asian neighbours remain silent. The response by European countries will be crucial in deciding what happens next in Burma. The regime is counting on the EU to talk tough, but take no real action, and that is exactly what it has done. This will be a green light for them to continue their crackdown.”
It is increasingly clear that Friday’s attack on Aung San Suu Kyi was an attempt by the regime to kill her. By using thugs from the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA), a civilian political party set up by the regime, they would be able to deny direct responsibility. The Burma Campaign UK is also very concerned about the health of Tin Oo, Suu Kyi’s 75 year-old deputy, who was reportedly shot and beaten in the attack. He was last seen being dragged away by police.
For more information contact John Jackson, Director of Burma Campaign UK, or Mark Farmaner, Media Officer, on 020 7281 7377