MEP URGES CONTINUED PRESSURE ON BURMESE GOVERNMENT

1.00.00pm GMT Mon 3rd Mar 2008

A local Euro-MP is pressing for more action to be taken against the Burmese government after the recent arrest of two journalists brought the known total of reporters in detention to eleven.

Burma is preparing for a constitutional referendum in May this year, but continuing restrictions of freedom and human rights abuses continue, despite international pressure.

Liz Lynne MEP co-authored a strongly-worded September 2007 European Parliament resolution and is a member of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights. She is horrified the abuses continue while the county's plight has slipped out of the news:

"The danger with on-going human rights and humanitarian problems is that the world switches off, despite the good work of campaigners and NGOs. That's why it is so important that we make every effort to keep this issue prominent.

"Sadly little has changed but we need to continue our tough approach and our policy of targeted sanctions. The Burmese military junta must be left in no doubt that the EU will not tolerate its brutal and oppressive tactics.

"Yet at the same time we need to do more to support change from within the country, by working with people on the ground and by encouraging dialogue and reform at a local level. The people of Burma have been suffering for a long time; we must do everything we can to support them.

"The military regime must also be aware that help with any democratic transition is available from the international community and I strongly hope the EU will be a part of this when it happens."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Despite widespread political statements and action as a result of the monk-led protest in September 2007, Avaaz.org reports that 80% of the leadership of those protests has since been jailed, with the rest in hiding.

Text of the European Parliament resolution adopted on 27/9/2007: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+MOTION+P6-RC-2007-0330+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN