B4-0218, 0266, 0292 and 0317/95

Resolution on the continued violation of human rights in Burma (Myanmar)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights violations in Myanmar,

A. whereas the Burmese army recently captured the city of Mannerplaw where there had been a concentration of Karen resistance forces who have been waging a long struggle for greater political and administrative autonomy from Rangoon,

B. deploring the fact that this attack represents a reversal of the general ceasefire announced in 1992,

C. whereas repression of the Karens in Burma has resulted in thousands of refugees; whereas the capture of Mannerplaw cost the lives of hundreds of Burmese,

D. recalling the UN Special Rapporteur Yozo Yokota's report on 2 February 1995 accusing the Burmese regime of continued torture, slavery, expulsion and political oppression,

E. stressing that the Special Rapporteur states that soldiers frequently execute village people after a summary trial, or even without trial, commit rape and steal property, that torture is still 'routinely employed' on those suspected of anti-government activities, that 'forced relocation and displacement of persons occurs on a wide scale', that unpaid forced labour is imposed by the army involving the carrying of heavy loads of ammunition and other supplies through rough country, that the authorities still continue to hold the Nobel and Sakharov Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest and many other political prisoners in prison,

F. pointing out that in the National Convention of 702 delegates to prepare a new constitution, only 89 represent the National League for Democracy (NLD), which polled 60% of the votes cast in the elections of 1990, and only 155 are not chosen directly by the SLORC,

G. drawing attention to the continued persecution of minority groups and in particular the reported demolition of at least six ancient mosques and the forced dismantlement of Muslim cemeteries to make room for buildings for tourists,

H. recognizing that in this report, some improvements are noted compared to the Special Rapporteur's previous visit in 1993, notably the re-opening of universities, the release of some political prisoners and the return to their homes of about half of the 250 000 Muslim refugees who fled to Bangladesh in 1992,

1. Strongly condemns the Burmese Government's offensive against Mannerplaw and Dawn Gwin, and its intention to continue shelling the area until 'all insurgents are eliminated';

2. Urges the Thai Government not to support the Burmese Government with food or other supplies, nor to allow them to use Thai airspace and territory, and to ensure that there is no forced repatriation of Burmese refugees on the Thai border;

3. Urges the Commission to study in cooperation with the Thai Government possibilities to set up an emergency aid programme for Karen refugees in Thailand;

4. Condemns outright the SLORC's policy of repressing moves for greater autonomy for the Karens and its total contempt for the legitimate rights of other minorities;

5. Solemnly repeats its call to the SLORC and the military junta under Khin Nyint to release at once, and unconditionally, Sakharov prize-winner and 1991 Nobel peace prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi;

6. Calls for the revision of the 1982 Citizenship Law which oppresses minorities, especially the Muslims of Rakhine State;

7. Calls for an end to forced labour;

8. Demands that the SLORC impose discipline on the armed forces to prevent murders, torture and rape of villagers and the looting of their homes;

9. Calls upon the UN Secretary-General to step up his efforts to preserve regional peace and security, and secure a genuine political settlement and national reconciliation in Burma;

10. Expresses its concern at ASEAN's policy of 'constructive engagement' towards Myanmar, given that there is a risk of it being interpreted as support for the SLORC;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Governments of the Member States of ASEAN, the UN Commission on Human Rights and the SLORC.