President. − The next item is the debate on seven motions for resolutions on Burma – conduct of elections and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi(1).

  Véronique De Keyser, auteur. − Madame la Présidente, il y a parfois de bonnes nouvelles, même parmi les urgences. Je voudrais donc que chacun se rappelle l'émotion qui nous a pris à la gorge au moment où nous avons vu à la télévision la libération d'Aung San Suu Kyi. Il est vrai que nous avons un lien particulier avec cette femme remarquable qui a obtenu un des premiers prix Sakharov chez nous, celui de 1990, et qui, en 20 ou 21 ans de vie, a passé près de 15 ans en prison. Elle représente le symbole d'une femme politique qui peut rester dans un pays qui est aussi dur que la Birmanie, c'est-à-dire libre et toujours résistante. C'est absolument extraordinaire.

Mais cet événement ne doit pas nous faire oublier d'abord que sa libération est fragile. Elle a déjà été libérée, puis réassignée à résidence. Ensuite, n'oublions pas que les élections qui viennent de se dérouler en Birmanie ont été véritablement une farce, un simulacre de démocratie. Avant les élections, des lois ont été votées pour brimer la liberté d'expression. Des personnes, comme les moines, ont été empêchées de pouvoir voter. Il y a encore aujourd'hui 22 000 prisonniers de conscience en Birmanie et cela reste une des dictatures les plus terribles du monde.

Nous demandons donc aux autorités birmanes de respecter les droits d'association et la liberté d'expression et de libérer les prisonniers politiques, et nous faisons confiance à cette femme remarquable, que nous attendons au Parlement européen ou vers laquelle nous irons si elle ne peut pas recevoir son prix Sakharov, pour maintenir un esprit de liberté dans ce pays déchiré.

  Marietje Schaake, author. − Madam President, on 13 November, less than a week after the disputed national elections had been held, Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest after spending 15 of the last 21 years effectively imprisoned for her pro-democracy thoughts.

As an Iranian woman said in the movie The Green Wave, after being released from Evin prison in Tehran: ‘The moment I stepped outside I realised I had just moved from a small prison to a bigger one: that prison is called Iran.’

People should not live in small or big prisons for their thoughts. The EU will see to and encourage further freedoms for all Burmese citizens and remains concerned about Aung San Suu Kyi’s well-being and safety, as she is being kept under surveillance by state security services.

The welcome move of her release needs to be reflected in further expansions of freedoms to all citizens, which are systematically curbed through the 2008 constitution and the military junta. Elections such as those which took place in Burma this month, even if held in a climate of fear and repression, are often used by regimes to claim legitimacy and to suggest that a democracy is in place. However, any government derives its legitimacy from providing for the well-being of its citizens, and democracy is always more than ‘one man, one vote’. It is enshrined in democratic institutions, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

  Adam Bielan, autor. − Pani Przewodnicząca! Wszyscy ci, którzy łudzili się, że tak zwane wybory zorganizowane 7 listopada – które były zwykłą farsą – przybliżą nas do demokracji w Birmie, muszą się czuć rozczarowani. Wprawdzie tydzień po tych wyborach zwolniono laureatkę pokojowej nagrody Nobla, panią Aung San Suu Kyi, jednak nic nie wskazuje na to, żeby ten sam los spotkał ponad dwa tysiące innych więźniów politycznych w tym kraju. Mało tego, kilka dni temu otrzymaliśmy informację o tym, że rządząca Birmą junta wojskowa zawiesiła wydawanie kolejnych dziewięciu pism, ograniczając i tak już niewielką wolność słowa w tym kraju.

Dlatego potrzebne są dalsze naciski ze strony społeczności międzynarodowej. Przede wszystkim Unia Europejska powinna się skoncentrować na naciskach na Chiny, bo to jest kraj, bez którego rządząca Birmą junta nie utrzymałaby się u władzy. Na koniec chciałem podziękować przewodniczącemu Parlamentu Europejskiego, panu Buzkowi, za zaproszenie pani Aung San Suu Kyi na uroczystość wręczenia nagrody Sacharowa w przyszłym miesiącu w Strasburgu.

  Barbara Lochbihler, Verfasserin. − Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Bilder von Aung San Suu Kyi, der burmesischen Oppositionsführerin, nach der Aufhebung ihres Hausarrests sind uns gut in Erinnerung. Sie zeigen eine Persönlichkeit, die nicht an der jahrelangen Isolation zerbrochen ist und die keinen Zweifel daran lässt, dass sie sich weiterhin für demokratische Veränderungen in ihrem Land einsetzen wird. Und alle Schritte in Richtung Demokratisierung und Verbesserung der äußerst problematischen Menschenrechtssituation sind zu begrüßen.

Doch es wird kein einfacher Weg sein. Die Verfassung, die jetzt nach den unfreien Wahlen gelten wird, stellt den Präsidenten über das Gesetz, und sie garantiert Straflosigkeit für vergangene Menschenrechtsverletzungen. Und dies ist aufs Schärfste von Seiten der EU zu kritisieren, ebenso wie die fortlaufenden schweren Menschenrechtsverletzungen gegenüber den ethnischen Minderheiten, die oft von ihrem Land vertrieben und zur Zwangsarbeit gezwungen und deren Kinder vielfach als Kindersoldaten rekrutiert werden.

Wir müssen auch unsere Anstrengungen intensivieren, um Staaten zu gewinnen, die großen Einfluss auf die Regierung Burmas haben, wie China und Indien. Wir müssen sie dazu bewegen, diesen Einfluss auch im Sinne der Bevölkerung Burmas einzusetzen und zu nutzen. Sie sollten die in der ASEAN-Charta für Menschenrechte von ihnen gemachten Versprechungen auch umsetzen, denn dort sind die Mitgliedstaaten aufgefordert, dagegen aufzustehen und einzuschreiten, wenn es zu systematischen Menschenrechtsverletzungen kommt.

  Rui Tavares, Autor. − Comecemos pelas eleições. Como sabemos, e como já foi dito aqui nesta Câmara, as eleições decorreram num clima de medo e de intimidação, foram uma verdadeira farsa que não serve para sequer para dar verniz civil à junta militar, muita gente ficou excluída de votar, milhares de birmaneses - 1 000, segundo os próprios generais da junta militar - refugiaram-se na Tailândia, onde já vivem mais de 100 mil birmaneses e onde há riscos acrescidos junto às fronteiras birmanesas de conflito armado. Isto serve para nos lembrar que a libertação de Aung San Suu Kyi nos enche evidentemente de alegria e de esperança de estar com esta mulher notável, como já foi aqui lembrado, e de a receber aqui neste Parlamento mas não pode desviar a nossa atenção daquilo que é o mais importante na Birmânia, ou seja, a libertação de todo um povo e de mais de 2 000 presos políticos, e de um clima de intimidação e medo geral.

A União Europeia não deve, portanto, baixar os braços. Precisamos de muito foco, de muita concentração e de muita teimosia, precisamos absolutamente de não nos deixar ficar preguiçosos. Desse ponto de vista, acho que vale a pena dizer que alguns Estados-Membros têm que ser mais firmes na defesa dos direitos humanos e, acima de tudo, mais coerentes. Os negócios que muitos Estados-Membros continuam a ter na Birmânia - lembro, por exemplo, que a petrolífera TOTAL tem explorações na Birmânia que dão 7 % do orçamento à junta birmanesa - devem passar a estar em linha com os nossos compromissos de direitos humanos da União Europeia. O Parlamento Europeu continuará concentrado e unido nesta causa, espero que a Comissão Europeia e os Estados-Membros o possam também permanecer.

  Bernd Posselt, Verfasser. − Frau Präsidentin! Auch im Namen der Kollegin Andrikienė freue ich mich über die Freilassung unserer Sacharow-Preisträgerin. Aber es sind noch mindestens 2 200 weitere politische Gefangene in fürchterlichen Gefängnissen der birmesischen Militärdiktatur. Das Land insgesamt – wir vorhin gesagt wurde – sitzt in einem großen Gefängnis. Deshalb müssen wir jetzt sehr kritisch und sehr wachsam sein. War das Ganze nur eine kosmetische Operation oder haben die brutal manipulierten Wahlen das wahre Gesicht des Regimes gezeigt? Wir müssen jetzt alle Instrumente einsetzen, um auf einen Wandel zu drängen. Dieser Wandel kann als Nagelprobe verstanden werden, indem wir darauf drängen, dass unsere Sacharow-Preisträgerin tatsächlich im Dezember hier ist, dass sie nach 20 Jahren ihren Preis entgegennehmen kann und dass sie auch wieder unbehelligt in ihre Heimat zurückkehrt. Erst dann können wir ein wenig die Hoffnung haben, dass sie tatsächlich etwas ändert für ein Volk, das seit Jahrzehnten unter einer korrupten sozialistischen Militärdiktatur leidet.

  Cristian Dan Preda, în numele grupului PPE. – În primul rând, vreau, desigur, să salut şi eu eliberarea lui Aung San Suu Kyi, lidera opoziţiei din Birmania, după atâţia şi atâţia ani de arest la domiciliu. Doresc, de asemenea, să-mi exprim speranţa că această eliberare va fi urmată de eliberarea celor peste 2 000 de deţinuţi politici, pentru că, aşa cum spunea şi colegul Posselt, altfel vom înţelege că e doar un gest cosmetic.

Trebuie, de asemenea, să vă spun că vreau să o susţinem pe Aung San Suu Kyi în reconstruirea partidului său, Liga Naţională pentru Democraţie, care a fost desfiinţat în mod abuziv în luna mai. Sigur că este o muncă uriaşă cea pe care trebuie să o facă şi, de aceea, cred că presiunea internaţională trebuie să continue pentru că junta militară nu s-a angajat într-un proces de democratizare, ci exact contrariul unui asemenea proces, alegerile ţinute în noiembrie nefiind nici drepte, nici libere. De aceea, cred că nu trebuie să slăbim atenţia pe care o acordăm acestui spaţiu.

  David Martin, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, I am delighted at the level of European Union unity that has been shown on the matter of Burma. I have read the Council statement, Baroness Ashton’s statement and indeed our own President’s statement. No one has been fooled by these deeply flawed elections in Burma; everyone has welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest; but everyone has also condemned the lack of other freedoms that is still imposed.

However, Madam President, if we play our cards right, these elections could – and it is a big ‘could’ – be a new start in Burma. If, as other colleagues have said, we can now persuade the junta to release all political prisoners, if we can persuade the junta to allow Aung San Suu Kyi complete freedom, both in terms of movement and in terms of political public statements, and, finally, if the new Burmese Parliament and Government start to improve human and fundamental rights in the country, and to improve the social and economic conditions of the people of Burma, then perhaps, in a few years time, there will be grounds for our institutions to start negotiating and engaging with the Burmese regime and to see a better future for that country.

  Ryszard Czarnecki, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! To jest tak, jak władza uwalnia jedną bardzo znaną osobę, jakby pokazując światu, że jest demokratyczna, że nawróciła się na prawa człowieka, a za tą fasadą tak naprawdę nie stoi nic, nie stoją żadne realne, konkretne zmiany. Mamy oto teatr – i Bogu dzięki, że ta szlachetna kobieta odzyskała wolność. Ale za tym teatrem stoją tragedie, jak powiedzieliśmy, paru tysięcy ludzi, którzy dalej są w więzieniach. A więc hasło „uwolnić więźniów politycznych” w Birmie nadal pozostaje aktualne.

Myślę, że to przesłanie ze strony tego najbardziej znanego więźnia politycznego tego regionu, właśnie uwolnionego, jest o tyle ważne, że promieniuje na całą Azję. Do niej się odwołują już także dysydenci w Chinach. Myślę, że warto to podkreślić. Dlatego Parlament Europejski musi walczyć o prawa człowieka, o wolność uchodźców politycznych w tym regionie.

  George Sabin Cutaş (S&D). - Încă din februarie 2010, Parlamentul European a cerut eliberarea lui Aung San Suu Kyi, care a trăit în arest din 1990. Faptul că autorităţile birmaneze au decis să o elibereze la câteva luni de la această cerere imperativă a deputaţilor europeni constituie un prim pas în direcţia bună. Cu toate acestea, nu putem să privim această situaţie particulară ca pe o redresare a drepturilor omului în Birmania, având în vedere că sunt încă mulţi activişti pentru democraţie care rămân în captivitate.

Prin Tratatul de la Lisabona, este stipulat că Uniunea Europeană urmăreşte să promoveze pacea, valorile sale şi bunăstarea popoarelor sale. Prin valori comune înţelegem respectarea demnităţii umane, a libertăţii, democraţiei şi a drepturilor omului. Uniunea Europeană are datoria de a nu se limita la promovarea acestor valori doar în interiorul său, de aceea pledez pentru transmiterea unui mesaj de solidaritate cu cetăţenii birmanezi, care suferă din cauza represiunii puterii guvernamentale şi care duc o luptă cotidiană pentru respectarea drepturilor fundamentale.

  Marc Tarabella (S&D). - Madame la Présidente, le 7 novembre dernier ont eu lieu les premières élections depuis 20 ans en Birmanie. Là où nous aurions pu nous réjouir de voir un tel processus enfin mis en place, nous sommes encore une fois aujourd'hui obligés de condamner ce pays, qui n'a que faire des droits humains et de la liberté d'expression, entre autres. Les élections doivent être synonymes de choix que l'on exprime par l'intermédiaire d'un vote.

Comment peut-on parler de choix quand les partis d'opposition n'ont pas accès à la parole, quand ils ne peuvent s'exprimer librement ou représenter correctement les populations entières?

Nous évoquons à nouveau ici la Birmanie, pays qui n'est pas libre mais qui se trouve aux mains de la junte militaire depuis de très nombreuses années. Comme tout le monde le sait, il s'agit d'un pouvoir figé qui le restera tant que de véritables élections libres et équitables ne seront pas organisées.

La libération d'Aung San Suu Kyi est un geste qui va dans le bon sens. Il faut le reconnaître et le saluer. Puisse-t-il être suivi d'autres gestes, comme cela a été rappelé ici précédemment, notamment à l'égard de nombreux autres prisonniers politiques.

  Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, in questo momento siamo tutti ancora a compiacerci per la liberazione di Aung San Suu Kyi e abbiamo tutti nella mente le immagini della folla che con entusiasmo ha salutato il suo ritorno a casa, dove ha ritrovato figli che ha lasciato che avevano pochi anni e che ritrova più che maggiorenni.

È un momento di grande entusiasmo, è una festa per il popolo e per l'opposizione di Myanmar, ma è sicuramente uno il dato che deve emergere. Il nostro interlocutore oggi è indubbiamente la giunta militare, che deve chiarire in maniera non più differibile se la liberazione di Aung San Suu Kyi è stato un atto propagandistico, uno specchietto per le allodole o, al contrario, il primo passo verso un riconoscimento dei diritti di libertà di espressione a lei, e quindi anche a tutti gli altri prigionieri politici birmani, e un passo verso elezioni libere e democratiche.

È questo che l'Europa deve chiedere e pretendere. Alla gioia per la liberazione di Aung San Suu Kyi deve assolutamente associarsi una forte richiesta in questo senso.

  Bogusław Sonik (PPE). - Pani Przewodnicząca! Wszyscy mamy w pamięci te lata, kiedy więzienie opuszczał Lech Wałęsa czy też opuszczał je po wielu latach Mandela. To dawało nadzieję, to dawało nadzieję dla wolnego świata, że te wszystkie presje na tamtejsze rządy przynoszą skutek. Uwolnienie przywódczyni opozycji birmańskiej, pani San Suu Kyi, to wielkie również dla nas wyzwanie. Bez wysiłku społeczności międzynarodowej, bez nacisku na juntę rządzącą w Birmie nie zapanuje tam demokracja. Pamiętam czasy, kiedy do Polski w czasach dyktatury komunistycznej przyjeżdżali przywódcy wolnego świata i wszyscy, obok wizyt oficjalnych, składali również wizytę u przewodniczącego podziemnej Solidarności, Lecha Wałęsy. I taką politykę należy praktykować również i teraz. Cieszę się z tego, że pani Ashton niedługo wybiera się do Birmy i spotka się z panią San Suu Kyi. Mam nadzieję, że również delegacja Parlamentu Europejskiego niebawem będzie mogła rozmawiać w Birmie i w Strasburgu z panią San Suu Kyi.

  Janusz Lewandowski, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, like all of us, I would like to pay homage to Aung San Suu Kyi, whose freedom has just been restored. Awarded the Nobel Prize and Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, she remains a symbol of fortitude and hope for the better future which the people of her country deserve.

It is essential that Aung San Suu Kyi has unrestricted freedom of movement and speech. It is equally essential that all remaining political prisoners be set free – more than 2000 of them, according to Mr Posselt and Mr Preda. This would allow for a credible transition to a more inclusive system of government.

Burma/Myanmar has seen elections which were not up to international standards, notably as far as conditions for competing opposition parties were concerned. However, the fact that civil society could partially organise itself politically is welcome, notwithstanding the difficulties. We acknowledge the decision of certain opposition parties not to participate, but also the fact that some other parties, including from ethnic groups, did participate. Their resolve to seize what they saw as an opportunity was commendable.

Elections in themselves do not make a country democratic. Nevertheless, they can offer the opportunity for a new beginning and they do, at least, introduce a degree of pluralism into the system. In spite of the evident flaws, if the elections mark the beginning of a positive process, this will be a welcome development.

We have repeatedly said that the EU was willing to engage with the Government, in order to use the opportunity of elections to begin a new and positive phase in the history of the country. From now on, we need to observe closely how accountable the new Parliament and Government will be to society; whether the new institutions will ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and whether they will deliver better policies to improve the economic and social situation of the citizens.

To improve the human rights situation in the country, a meaningful dialogue between all stakeholders must be established. Such a dialogue should usher in – apart from the long overdue transition to a civilian, legitimate and accountable system of government – a political system based on the rule of law and on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The EU has repeatedly stated that it stands ready to support such a process.

We will continue to use all the means at our disposal – dialogue and engagement, United Nations channels and restrictive measures, but also assistance – to help persuade the new Government to improve its record. Human rights aspects are built into our aid programmes. Moreover, we seek links with civil society and parts of the administration and we will try to engage with the Government on its responsibilities for attaining the Millennium Development Goals. Promoting our values – namely human rights, development and dialogue – is, and will remain, the cornerstone of our policy.

  President. − The debate is closed.

Written statements (Rule 149)

  Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE), in writing. – I welcome the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest by the Burmese authorities. However, we should not ease our stance against the military junta. Instead we should continue addressing the violations of human rights and civil liberties as vigorously as ever. The fact that there are 2 200 political prisoners lingering in appalling conditions in detention facilities and that the Burmese military is responsible for continuing extrajudicial killings, forced labour, sexual violence and other human rights violations cannot be undone by releasing one political activist, no matter how prominent. Aung San Suu Kyi, recipient of the Sakharov Prize in 1990, has famously asked us to use our liberty to promote theirs. I would like to use this opportunity to call on the EU and its Member States to use its full economic and political influence to speed up the regime transition in Burma.

  Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa (PPE), in writing. – The situation in Burma has come to a critical juncture. It is important that the European Parliament stays the course with its relations with Burma. We need to focus on the government’s treatment of the citizens when 40% percent of the population belongs to an ethnic minority that was forced to flee to Thailand after the recent election. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is a positive, however history has shown us that the Burmese Government has a habit of reverting back to its old ways where as any or all opposition is imprisoned. Currently more than 1 000 ‘political prisoners’ are still being held. The blatant disregard for free elections is a clear indication that the new government has little or no interest in providing a true democracy for the people of Burma. The UN proposal for further dialogue with Burma should be supported by this Parliament and we should continue our efforts to protect all the citizens of Burma from future injustices. It is my belief that our steady vigilance and open dialogue is crucial to the people of Burma and a clear signal of unity among this Parliament and other global organisations must be sent.