EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

   2004   2009   

Session document

12.12.2006 B6-0657/06

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

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 115 of the Rules of Procedure

by Frédérique Ries, Marios Matsakis,

on behalf of the ALDE Group

on the situation in Burma

RE\P6_B(2006)0657_XM.doc PE 382.918v0 XM XM B6-0657/06

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Burma

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma, in particular that of 16 September 2004, 12 May 2005 and 17 November 2005,

- having regard to the declaration s by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on detentions (5 October 2006) and on ICRC field offices in Burma/ (5 December 2006),

– having regard to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure,

A. Deeply concerned that former student leaders , and detained by the Burmese/Myanmar authorities on the 18th anniversary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) have still not been released,

B. Concerned by the detention of 2 other NLD activists Min Zeya and ,

C. Dismayed that the government of Burma/Myanmar has ordered the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to close its five field offices in the county,

D. Deeply concerned by the fact that thousands of Burmese civilians forced to flee from army attacks in Keren State are trekking through free-fire zones in search of safety and food aid,

1. Believes that a dialogue between various representatives of the society in Burma/Myanmar is indispensable for the development of the country;

2. Reiterates that a genuine process of democratisation can only be achieved by a dialogue between the government and all other political and civil society forces;

3. Demands the immediate release and full freedom of movement and expression for , the 1990 Sakharov Prize winner, and other political leaders and all political prisoners held by the State Peace and Development Council;

4. Strongly encourages the Government of Burma/Myanmar to reconsider its decision concerning the ICRC field offices and allow the full resumption by the ICRC of its humanitarian operations in line with its mandate and mission;

5. Calls on the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma and to empower the UN Secretary-General to mediate in Burma in order to bring about national reconciliation and a transition to democracy;

PE 382.918v0 2/3 RE\P6_B(2006)0657_XM.doc XM 6. Deeply regrets the disregard of the military government of Burma/Myanmar for the welfare of its people, especially in the Karen region;

7. Insists that the SPDC immediately initiate a meaningful dialogue with the NLD and ethnic groups to bring about a return to democracy and respect for human rights, including ethnic minority rights and state rights in Burma;

8. Deeply regrets the fact that the Government of Burma has not yet undertaken all the relevant measures to allow the Joint Government of the Union of Myanmar - International Labour Organization Plan of Action for the elimination of forced labour practices in Myanmar to come into force;

9. Calls on the Council and the Commission to develop a comprehensive EU strategy on Burma enabling humanitarian aid to be delivered to the people of Burma from within Burma and through cross-border strategies, and to bring about a transition to democracy and respect for human rights;

10. Salue la décision de la conférence des Présidents du 16 novembre dernier de créer un mécanisme de suivi pour les lauréats du Prix Sakharov et d'envoyer systématiquement une délégation du Parlement européen rencontrer les lauréats n'ayant pas été autorisés par les autorités de leur pays à assister à la remise du prix;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the ASEAN and ASEM member states, the ASEAN Inter- Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD, the SPDC, the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

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