51996IP0740

B4-0740, 0801, 0822 and 0832/96

Resolution on the banning of the National League for Democracy in Burma

The European Parliament,

- recalling its previous resolutions on the situation in Burma and notably that adopted on 23 May 1996 on human rights violations in Burma (Myanmar) ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 10(c).)),

A. shocked at the decision by the military junta in Rangoon to ban the NLD, which is led by the Nobel and Sakharov Prize winner Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi, in order to prevent any political demonstrations against the current regime,

B. considering that the SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) put a new law into force on 6 June 1996 under which political criticism and public speeches can be punished with up to 20 years' imprisonment and which allows for a ban on any public political gathering involving more than five persons,

C. seriously concerned at the human rights abuse which is still going on in Burma and convinced that there are sufficient grounds to believe that further investigations into the general human rights situation in Burma are necessary,

D. recalling that Burma will become a member of the Asean Regional Forum on 23 July 1996 and will take part as an observer in upcoming Asean meetings,

1. Supports the efforts made by the democratic forces of Burma and by Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi in their struggle for the establishment of a state of law founded on principles of democracy and on respect for human rights;

2. Strongly condemns the violations of human rights in Burma and more specifically the new law adopted by the SLORC in order to ban the NLD, which constitutes a serious attack on human rights and freedom of expression;

3. Reaffirms the need for the EU and all the Member States to isolate the SLORC politically and economically in order to contribute to the transfer of power to a democratic government;

4. Invites the Asian countries to implement every measure in order to isolate the SLORC politically and economically and to support the democratic forces of the country;

5. Furthermore, calls on:

- the Commission to report on the general human rights situation in Burma,

- the Council to adopt immediately a formal statement on the human rights abuses in Burma, a statement recently blocked by the United Kingdom's 'non-cooperation' policy;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Burmese authorities and the UN Secretary-General.