MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burma

9.2.2010

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Filip Kaczmarek, Cristian Dan Preda, Mario Mauro, Bernd Posselt, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Martin Kastler, Tunne Kelam, Monica Luisa Macovei on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0105/2010

B7‑0107/2010

European Parliament resolution on Burma

The European Parliament,

-          having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma, in particular those of 23 October 2008, 19 June 2008 and 24 April 2008,

 

-          having regard to the Council conclusions on Burma/Myanmar of 27 April 2009,

 

-          having regard to the Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Karen civilians fleeing Burma/Myanmar of 12 June 2009,

 

-          having regard to the Declaration on Burma/Myanmar of the European Council of 18 and 19 June 2009,

 

-          having regard to the ASEAN Chairman's Statement on Myanmar of 11 August 2009,

 

-          having regard to the Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of 12 August 2009,

 

-          having regard to the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar of 23 December 2009,

 

-          having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.       whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League of Democracy (NLD) and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, was sentenced on 11 August 2009 to 3 years in prison, a sentence that was commuted by the Burmese authorities to 18 months to be served under house arrest; whereas her lawyers have launched an appeal to Burma's Supreme Court against the sentence,

 

B.        whereas the unjustified trial and verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been widely condemned by the international community; whereas on 13 August 2009 the Council adopted a Common Position imposing a new set of targeted measures against Burma,

 

C.       whereas the human rights situation in Burma has continued to deteriorate, political repression has further escalated and fundamental freedoms of the Burmese people have been systematically violated,

 

D.       whereas the Burmese authorities have expressed their determination to proceed with national elections in 2010; whereas the NLD and some ethnic groups object to the new constitution, and reserve their position on participating in the elections,

 

E.        whereas the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation concluded on 19 November 2009 that the complete elimination of the use of forced labour in Burma has not yet been achieved,

 

F.        whereas on 5 February 2010 the Thai authorities were planning the forced repatriation of Karen refugees to Burma, but have suspended all repatriations following demands from regional human rights groups and members of the international community,

 

1.        Strongly condemns the continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has tirelessly defended universal values of human rights, freedom and democracy; urges the Burmese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release her;

 

2.        Denounces the arbitrary charges behind the arrests of political opponents or dissidents; urges the Burmese authorities to desist from further politically motivated arrests, to release all prisoners of conscience, without delay, without conditions and with full restoration of their political rights, and to provide information on the whereabouts of persons who are detained or have been subjected to enforced disappearance;

 

3.        Strongly condemns the continuing repression and intimidation by the Burmese authorities of Buddhist Monks; urges the Burmese authorities to end this repression and release all Buddhist Monks who are serving prison terms;

 

4.        Condemns the restrictions on the freedom of assembly, association, movement and expression in Burma; urges the Burmese authorities to lift these restrictions, including those imposed on free and independent media;

 

5.        Deeply regrets that the Burmese authorities have not taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the national elections in 2010 will be free, fair, transparent and inclusive; urges the Burmese authorities to take immediate measures to undertake a genuine dialogue with the NLD and all other concerned parties to ensure the credibility of the elections;

 

6.        Strongly condemns the continuing practice of forced labour in Burma and the imprisonment of persons who have complained of being subjected to forced labour; urges the Burmese authorities to eliminate the use of forced labour and to release all those who have complained of being subjected to it;

 

7.        Welcomes the decision of the Thai authorities to suspend the forced repatriation of Karen refugees to Burma; calls on the Royal Thai government to work with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Thai Burma Border Consortium and the international community to find an alternative solution that ensures the safety of the Karen refugees;

           

8.        Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliament of the Member States, the State Peace and Development Council, the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the United Nations Secretary-General.