Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Burma/Myanmar

Wien (OTS) - The EU notes with deep concern that the process of
democratisation in Burma/Myanmar has recently suffered a worrying
setback as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has stepped
up its pressure against ethnic groups and the two main political
parties, the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy. The EU notes that the actions of the SPDC
clearly contradict its professed intention to establish a genuine
democratic nation.

The EU remains deeply concerned that NLD leader and Nobel Peace
Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) has been detained
continuously for three years without charge since the attack on her
convoy on 30 May 2003. The EU notes that the house arrest of ASSK
will expire on May 27 and urges the Burmese government to fully
restore her freedom and civil liberties. The EU is hopeful that the
Burmese government will use this opportunity to enter again into a
dialogue with the NLD leadership. The EU considers the recent
statements made by the NLD a clear signal of the NLD’s commitment to
reaching a peaceful transformation and urges the SPDC to respond
positively and constructively.

The EU is concerned about the detention of numerous elected
members of Parliament and calls for the immediate release of all of
the estimated 1150 political prisoners in Burma/Myanmar. It is
particularly concerned to learn that humanitarian conditions in a
number of prisons are deteriorating.

The EU urges the SPDC to cease its harassment of politicians and
human rights defenders, to lift restrictions on freedom of speech and
assembly, and to accelerate the democratisation process in
Burma/Myanmar. This process should engage all political and ethnic
forces of the country in a genuine dialogue and lead to the speedy
completion of a constitution under civilian rule, which commands
popular support and promotes a peaceful and sustainable development.

The EU welcomes that UN Undersecretary General Gambari was able to
meet the most senior leaders of the SPDC as well as Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and representatives of her party during his recent visit to
Yangon. The EU reaffirms its support for UN efforts to help
Burma/Myanmar move in the direction of an all-inclusive democracy and
true national reconciliation and calls on the SPDC to co-operate with
the UN and its agencies.

The EU will continue to closely monitor the situation in
Burma/Myanmar and will coordinate its action with other countries and
organizations, including Asian States that have shown keen interest
in encouraging Burmese authorities to engage in a credible reform
process.

Rückfragehinweis:

Außenministerium 
   Presseabteilung
   Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550
   Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213 
   mailto:[email protected] 
   http://www.aussenministerium.at

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