EU Parliament calls for stronger measures against Burmese regime

In a resolution on Burma, adopted by 65 votes in favour with none against and 3 abstentions, Parliament points out that any meeting with senior members of the Burmese regime cannot be taken as an indicator of a relaxation of EU opposition to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) dictatorship. It condemns the total disregard of the Burma junta for the welfare of the people of Burma and strongly condemns the bomb attacks that took place in Rangoon on 7 May 2005, killing 11 people and wounding 162 others. Parliament asks for a policy of peaceful solution of political problems, and expresses its condolences to the victims and the families of those who died in the 7 May bomb attacks.

MEPs deplore the Burmese regime's campaign of ethnic cleansing against several major ethnic groups fighting for autonomy and condemn the use of chemical weapons. They urge the government of Burma immediately to stop any new attack using chemical arms.

Parliament demands the immediate release of and full freedom of movement and expression for Aung San Suu Kyi, Hkun Htun Oo, General Hso Hten, other political leaders and all political prisoners held by the SPDC. It calls on the SPDC to initiate immediately a meaningful dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic groups to bring about a return to democracy and respect for human rights, including ethnic minorities' rights and state rights in Burma.

MEPs call for the severe restrictions on constitutional discussions to be lifted and insist that the SPDC respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in the results of the 1990 elections. They call for a strengthening of the EU's common policy on Burma, notably by widening and deepening the restrictions on business contact with Burmese state owned enterprises by EU companies, and by ending all non-humanitarian or development aid, including from the World Bank.

Among other points, MEPs call for an investigation to be carried out into the decision to hold the 'Burma Day' to ensure that such a use of public funding cannot be repeated. They also call for a a high-ranking EU envoy to be appointed to work towards securing the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and developing a comprehensive EU strategy on Burma and urge the ASEAN states to reconsider the assumption that Burma should chair ASEAN in 2006.

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• EU Presidency Declaration on sentencing of Shan Leaders (15/11/2005)
• EU Presidency Declaration on release of Burmese/Myanmar political prisoners (13/7/2005)
• EU Presidency declaration on the reconvening of the National Convention in Burma-Myanmar (16/2/2005)