EU Presidency Declaration on sentencing of Shan Leaders

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the sentencing of Shan Leaders

The European Union condemns the severe jail sentences handed down to a number of Shan leaders on 3 November, including Khun Tun Oo, Chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, and Major-General Hso Ten, Shan State Peace Council Chairman. The European Union refers to its statement of 16 February on their arrest. The European Union also condemns the recent politically motivated sentence handed down to another Shan community leader, Donald Sao Oo Kya.

The EU is particularly concerned that Hso Ten has received a heavy sentence despite the participation of his group, the Shan State Army (North), in the SPDC's National Convention, which is due to reconvene on 5 December. The EU believes that the National Convention cannot promote national reconciliation unless all parties and ethnic nationality representatives can participate free from such intimidation and harassment.

The EU reiterates its 17 June statement that it supports the territorial integrity of Burma/Myanmar. The EU believes that Burma/Myanmar's complex inter-ethnic conflicts should be resolved by peaceful political and democratic means.

The EU calls upon the SPDC to release the Shan leaders and all other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, in order to enable all social and political forces to participate in a process of genuine and inclusive dialogue.

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