MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
25.9.2007
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jules Maaten, Marco Cappato, Marco Pannella and Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on Burma
B6‑0369/2007
European Parliament resolution on Burma
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma, and more specifically that of 6 September 2007,
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas scores of people, including monks, are being arrested for peacefully demonstrating and expressing their displeasure with the military junta's misgovernance,
B. whereas the monks launched their protest a week ago after the government failed to apologise for the beating of some monks during a demonstration in the central city of Pakkoku three weeks ago and after the government's decision to double the price of fuel last month,
C. whereas the demonstrations have grown, despite rumours that government forces might soon begin a massive violent crackdown as the military forces did in 1988, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Burmese citizens,
D. whereas the military forces broadcasted another threat that action would be taken against those who violated the order of stopping anti-government protests,
E. believing that there can no longer be a delay in addressing the current situation in Burma at the UN Security Council,
1. Calls on the EU Presidency, the ASEAN Secretary-General, the international community and the UN Security Council to act immediately to prevent any further human casualties in Burma;
2. Calls, therefore, on the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma as a matter of urgency and to empower the UN Secretary-General to mediate in Burma in order to bring about national reconciliation and a transition to democracy, and calls on the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to impose further economic sanctions against Burma in an effort to force change;
3. Condemns the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for its relentless suppression of the Burmese people over 40 years and its total failure to make any significant move towards democracy;
4. Condemns the total disregard of the military dictatorship for the welfare of the people of Burma;
5. Urges a cessation of the current illegitimate constitutional process and its replacement with a fully representative National Convention, including the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties and groups, taking account of the recommendation made by the UN Secretary-General to transform it into an inclusive and democratic constitution-formulating process;
6. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners;
7. Asks the Commission to make the appropriate means available in the framework of the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights in order to actively support the pro-democracy movement and NGOs that work for the strengthening of good governance in Burma;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the governments of the ASEAN nations, the National League for Democracy, the State Peace and Development Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.