Media Release from the European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma
The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma strongly condemns the harsh sentences given to more than sixty Burmese democracy activists this week.
Those sentenced have committed no crime. They did not receive a fair trial, and many now face spending the rest of their lives in jail.
The range of people who have been sentenced demonstrates that the Junta ruling Burma tolerates no dissent, whether they be members of political parties, or labour activists, poets or bloggers.
We call upon the European Union to strongly condemn the sentences and make representations directly to the Junta.
We call upon European members of the United Nations Security Council to bring this issue to the United Nations Security Council, which in October last year called on the junta to release all political prisoners.
We call upon the United Nations Secretary General to confirm that he will visit Burma as planned in December this year, and that he will make securing the release of all political prisoners his top priority.
The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma represents more than 130 MPs who support the restoration of democracy to Burma.
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.
For more information contact:
Cell: Zoya Phan at +44 (0) 20 7324 4710
E-mail: Marie Zahradnikova at marie.zahradnikova@peopleinneed.cz