Media release from European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma
EU should strengthen its common position on Burma
The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma (EPCB) was set up to support human rights and democracy in Burma, and consists of 156 MPs from 15 European countries, strongly urged the European Union to strengthen its Common Position on Burma when it is renewed in April.
In a letter to European Foreign Ministries, the EPCB stressed its concern about the continuing human rights and humanitarian crises in Burma, including the appalling conditions of the political prisoners, the ongoing attacks by the Burmese Army against ethnic people in Eastern Burma, and the humanitarian problems the attacks are causing.
The EPCB welcomes the European Union’s longstanding engagement on the issue of Burma, such as increased humanitarian assistance, support for a global arms embargo, new sanctions on imports of timber and gems, and rejection in their current form of the dictatorship’s elections planned for 2010.
However, the EPCB believes the EU has not done all it can to push the Burmese military regime to engage in a genuine democratisation process in Burma.
The military dictatorship is ignoring calls by the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to enter into tripartite dialogue, and Than Shwe, the dictator of Burma, has repeatedly snubbed UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari. Instead, the regime is pushing ahead with elections in 2010 that will enact a constitution which will effectively legalise dictatorship, and do nothing to change the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country.
“Allowing this situation to continue is unacceptable on human rights and humanitarian grounds. Clearly more pressure needs to be placed on the generals to ensure they comply with the demands of the United Nations. We believe the European Union can and should do more to ensure the generals comply with the UN” the letter states.
Therefore the EPCB urges the European Union to use all its influence to secure the release of all political prisoners and to promote positive change in Burma.
EPCB also asked the European Union to consider the following four proposals:
1. To reiterate that the military dictatorship’s planned 2010 elections and constitution are unacceptable in their current form, and support the National League for Democracy and other democratic forces’ proposals for genuine dialogue and reform.
2. To work to build a global consensus for a global arms embargo.
3. To consider carefully targeted economic sanctions, including targeted financial sanctions, and sanctions stopping European companies providing insurance in Burma.
4. To continue to increase humanitarian assistance in Burma, and to do more to challenge restrictions on aid delivery imposed by the regime. Until such restrictions are lifted, the European Union should support the delivery of cross border aid in order to save lives.
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About EPCB: The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma was founded in June 2008 to raise awareness of Burma in Europe and promote human rights and democracy in Burma.
Administrative support for the European Parliamentary caucus on Burma is being provided by Burma Campaign UK and People in Need in the Czech Republic.