EU must set a deadline for change in Burma
World leaders gathering in Helsinki, Finland, this weekend for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) will be dining with Burma’s military dictatorship following a decision earlier this year to allow the regime to attend meetings in Europe. The EU visa ban was ‘reinterpreted’ to allow Burma to attend, following rows between EU members, some of which want to put trade with Asia before human rights in Burma.
“It is shameful that the EU is allowing the Burma’s foreign minister to visit Europe and rub shoulders with European leaders,” said Mark Farmaner, Campaigns Manager at the Burma Campaign UK. “This is a regime whose soldiers rape and shoot children, the EU should not be giving them the red carpet treatment.”
In 2004 the EU reneged on previous pledges not to allow Burma to join ASEM, following pressure from Asian governments. However, the EU visa ban on regime officials visiting the EU was not changed. In 2005 The Netherlands refused entry to a regime official visiting for an ASEM meeting, causing a row with Asian governments and within the EU. Governments of countries such as Austria, France, Germany, and Italy have traditionally favoured a softer approach to the regime, seemingly concerned that action against Burma might anger Asian trading partners. Other governments, such as the UK, Netherlands and Ireland, are strong supporters of Burma’s democracy movement, and favour tougher action.
EU members reached a compromise using a loophole in the visa ban that allowed regime officials to visit the EU if it was to discuss human rights issues. They agreed that human rights in Burma would be discussed at every ASEM meeting in the EU, thereby allowing regime officials to attend. However, there is no binding obligation on regime officials to engage in the discussion, or even be in the room when it is raised.
“We want the EU to put political pressure on the regime, but this is not a serious attempt at political engagement, it’s a farce designed to save face,” said Mark Farmaner. “The EU needs to set a deadline for the regime to respond to calls for concrete change in Burma, such as the release of political prisoners, and if that deadline is not met, it should refuse to allow any more regime officials to visit the EU.”
For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 07941239640