B4-0101, 0115 and 0120/94

Resolution on continued human rights abuses in Burma (Myanmar)

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its earlier resolutions on human rights violations by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC),

A.having regard to the fifth anniversary on 20 July 1994, of the illegal house arrest and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Laureate, holder of the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize and previously leader of the National League for Democracy which won the last democratic elections by a large majority,

B.having regard to the systematic violation of human rights by the SLORC,

C.disturbed by the arrest in August of several prominent Burmese who have criticized the SLORC,

D.gravely concerned by the fate of at least ten men, forcibly removed by Burmese soldiers from the Halockhani refugee camp on the border with Thailand,

E.welcoming the release since April 1992 of over 2000 political prisoners and the commutation since January 1993 of all death sentences,

F.hoping that the meeting between leading members of the SLORC and Aung San Suu Kyi will lead to the release of political prisoners and the peaceful establishment of democracy,

G.noting the Burmese Foreign Minister's comment in July to journalists in Bangkok that he would be happy to meet the UN Secretary-General to discuss human rights and democratic reform, but that he "did not believe that Myanmar has a human rights problem",

H.whereas the EU considers the promotion of respect for human rights to be an integral part of its relations with third countries,

1.Condemns the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for over five years without charge or trial and demands her immediate and unconditional release;

2.Calls for the release of Khin Maung Swe, Daw San San Nwe, Ma Myat Mo Mo Tun, U Sein Hla Oo and Khin Saw Win, critics of the SLORC and supporters of the National League for Democracy, previously led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and of all political prisoners, including 28 elected Members of Parliament;

3.Believes that the release of prisoners and the commutation of death sentences are the result of pressure exerted on the SLORC by the outside world; believes consequently that this pressure must be maintained;

4.Calls therefore on the Council and governments of the Member States to increase pressure on the SLORC;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States, the SLORC and the UN Secretary-General.