Declaration by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Burma
- On: 26.09.2008
A year ago, the Burmese junta brutally repressed peaceful demonstrations in Rangoon. The international community and the United Nations Security Council clearly expressed their expectations at the time, in particular as regards the release of political prisoners, among them Aung San Suu Kyi, and the launch of genuine dialogue with a view to national reconciliation.
A year after these tragic events, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union regrets that the Burmese authorities have not yet given tangible signs of their will to respond fully and in good faith to the expectations of the international community despite a few gestures such as the recent release of certain political prisoners, including U Win Tin.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union calls on the Burmese authorities to meet the demands defined by the Security Council in its declarations of October 2007 and May 2008 such as the end of arrests of members of the opposition and human rights defenders, the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the launch of genuine dialogue with the opposition.
The Presidency also calls on the Burmese authorities to fully cooperate with the United Nations and implement the demands and recommendations contained in the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.
The Presidency of the Council welcomes in this respect the personal commitment of the United Nations Secretary-General to facilitate the realization of those objectives.
- Updated: 26.09.2008
