29.4.2006EN Official Journal of the European Union L 116/77 COUNCIL COMMON POSITION 2006/318/CFSP of 27 April 2006 renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, — the continued harassment of the NLD and other organised political movements, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 15 thereof, — the continuing serious violations of human rights, including the failure to take action to eradicate the use of forced labour in accordance with the recom- Whereas: mendations of the International Labour Organisa- tion's High-Level Team report of 2001 and recom- mendations and proposals of subsequent ILO Missions; and (1) On 26 April 2004, the Council adopted Common Position 2004/423/CFSP renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar (1). These measures replaced the measures imposed by Common Position — 2003/297/CFSP (2), which had replaced the restrictive recent developments such as increasing restrictions measures initially adopted in 1996 (3). on the operation of international organisations and non-governmental organisations, (2) On 25 April 2005, the Council adopted Common Position 2005/340/CFSP extending restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar (4). These measures expire on the Council considers it fully justified to maintain the 25 April 2006. restrictive measures against the military regime in Burma/Myanmar, those who benefit most from its misrule, and those who actively frustrate the process of national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy. (3) In view of the current political situation in Burma/ Myanmar, as witnessed by: (4) Accordingly the scope of the visa ban and assets freeze — the failure of the military authorities to enter into should be maintained to include members of the military substantive discussions with the democratic regime, the military and security forces, the military movement concerning a process leading to national regime's economic interests and other individuals, reconciliation, respect for human rights and groups, undertakings or entities associated with the democracy, military regime who formulate, implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma/Myanmar's transition to democracy, and their families and associates. — the failure to allow a genuine and open National Convention, (5) The scope of these measures should also continue to include a prohibition on making financial loans or — the continuing detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, credits available to, and on acquiring or extending a other members of the National League for Democracy participation in, Burmese state-owned enterprises. (NLD) and other political detainees, (1) OJ L 125, 28.4.2004, p. 61. Common Position as last amended by Common Position 2005/340/CFSP (OJ L 108, 29.4.2005, p. 88). 2 ( ) OJ L 106, 29.4.2003, p. 36. Common Position as last amended by (6) The Council considers that, although certain measures Council Decision 2003/907/CFSP (OJ L 340, 24.12.2003, p. 81). imposed by this Common Position are directed at (3) Common Position 96/635/CFSP (OJ L 287, 8.11.1996, p. 1). Common Position as last amended by Common Position persons associated with the Burmese/Myanmar regime 2002/831/CFSP (OJ L 285, 23.10.2002, p. 7). and members of their families, children under 18 (4) OJ L 108, 29.4.2005, p. 88. should not, in principle, be targeted. L 116/78EN Official Journal of the European Union 29.4.2006 (7) The implementation of the ban on high level visits at the Article 2 level of Political Director and above should be main- tained without prejudice to cases where the European 1. Article 1 shall not apply to: Union decides that the visit is directly in pursuit of national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma/Myanmar. (a) the sale, supply, transfer or export of non-lethal military equipment, or of equipment which might be used for internal repression, intended solely for humanitarian or (8) In the event of a substantial improvement in the overall protective use, or for institution-building programmes of political situation in Burma/Myanmar, the suspension of the UN, the EU and the Community, or of materiel these restrictive measures and a gradual resumption of intended for EU and UN crisis management operations; cooperation with Burma/Myanmar will be considered, after the Council has assessed developments. (b) the sale, supply, transfer or export of demining equipment and materiel for use in demining operations; (9) Action by the Community is needed in order to implement certain measures, (c) the provision of financing and financial assistance related to HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON POSITION: such equipment or to such programmes and operations; Article 1 (d) the provision of technical assistance related to such equipment or to such programmes and operations, 1. The sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts for the aforementioned, as well as equipment which might be used for internal repression, to Burma/Myanmar on condition that such exports have been approved in advance by nationals of Member States or from the territories of by the relevant competent authority. Member States or using their flag vessels or aircraft shall be prohibited whether originating or not in their territories. 2. Article 1 shall not apply to protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to 2. It shall be prohibited: Burma/Myanmar by UN personnel, personnel of the EU, the Community or its Member States, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only. (a) to provide technical assistance, brokering services and other services related to military activities and to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, Article 3 military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, as well as Non-humanitarian aid or development programmes shall be equipment which might be used for internal repression, suspended. Exceptions shall be made for projects and directly or indirectly to any natural or legal person, entity programmes in support of: or body in, or for use in Burma/Myanmar; (a) human rights, democracy, good governance, conflict (b) to provide financing or financial assistance related to prevention and building the capacity of civil society; military activities, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance for any sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materiel, as well as equipment which might be used for internal repression, or for the provision of related technical assistance, brokering and (b) health and education, poverty alleviation and in particular other services directly or indirectly to any person, entity the provision of basic needs and livelihoods for the poorest or body in, or for use in Burma/Myanmar; and most vulnerable populations; (c) to participate, knowingly and intentionally, in activities the (c) environmental protection and, in particular, programmes object or effect of which is to circumvent the prohibitions addressing the problem of non-sustainable, excessive referred to in points (a) or (b). logging resulting in deforestation. 29.4.2006EN Official Journal of the European Union L 116/79 The projects and programmes should be implemented through 4. Paragraph 3 shall be considered as applying also in cases UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and through where a Member State is host country of the Organisation for decentralised cooperation with local civilian administrations. Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In this context, the European Union will continue to engage with the government of Burma over its responsibility to make greater efforts to attain the UN Millennium Development Goals. 5. The Council shall be duly informed in all cases where a Member State grants an exemption pursuant to paragraphs 3 Projects and programmes should, as far as possible, be defined, or 4. monitored, run and evaluated in consultation with civil society and all democratic groups, including the National League for Democracy. 6. Member States may grant exemptions from the measures imposed in paragraph 1 where travel is justified on the grounds of urgent humanitarian need, or on grounds of attending inter- Article 4 governmental meetings, including those promoted by the European Union, or hosted by a Member State holding the 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to Chairmanship in office of the OSCE, where a political prevent the entry into, or transit through, their territories of: dialogue is conducted that directly promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Burma/Myanmar. (a) senior members of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Burmese authorities in the tourism sector, senior members of the military, the Government or the 7. A Member State wishing to grant exemptions referred to security forces who formulate, implement or benefit from in paragraph 6 shall notify the Council in writing. The policies that impede Burma/Myanmar's transition to exemption will be deemed to be granted unless one or more democracy, and members of their families, being the of the Council Members raises an objection in writing within natural persons listed in Annex I; two working days of receiving notification of the proposed exemption. In the event that one or more of the Council members raise an objection, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may decide to grant the proposed exemption. (b) serving members of the Burmese military of the rank of Brigadier-General and above and members of their families, being the natural persons listed in Annex I. 8. In cases where pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4, 6 and 7, a Member State authorises the entry into, or transit through, its 2. Paragraph 1 will not oblige a Member State to refuse its territory of persons listed in Annex I, the authorisation shall be own nationals entry into its territory.