The European Parliament adopted by 65 votes to 0, with 3 abstentions, a resolution on human rights in Burma/Myanmar.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and UEN groups.

Recalling that the people of Burma are subject to human rights abuses including forced labour, persecution of dissidents, conscription of child soldiers, rape of ethnic minority women and children etc., the Parliament condemns the total disregard of the Burma junta for the welfare of the people of Burma. It condemns, in particular, the bomb attacks that took place in Rangoon on 7 May 2005, killing 11 people and wounding 162 others and asks for a policy of peaceful solution of political problems.

Deploring the Burmese regime's campaign of ethnic cleansing against several major ethnic groups fighting for autonomy, the Parliament calls on the State Peace and Development Council dictatorship (SPDC) to initiate immediately a meaningful dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic groups to bring about a return to democracy and respect for human rights, including ethnic minorities' rights and state rights in Burma. It demands, in particular, the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi , Hkun Htun Oo, General Hso Hten, other political leaders and all political prisoners held by the SPDC.

The Parliament calls on the Burmese regime to rescind SPDC Law No 5/96, which carries a 20-year sentence for any discussion of constitutional matters outside the National Convention and to respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in the results of the 1990 elections.

At Community level, the Parliament insists that the EU's Common Policy on Burma be strengthened immediately through a series of technical and diplomatic measures aimed at redefining the links between the different parties in the sense of greater respect for the needs of the people of Burma and an end of contractual relations with undertakings linked to the military junta.

Lastly, the Parliament calls for a high-ranking EU envoy to be appointed to work towards securing the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and calls on the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma as a matter of urgency and to empower the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to mediate in Burma in order to bring about national reconciliation and a transition to democracy.

The European Parliament adopted by 65 votes to 0, with 3 abstentions, a resolution on human rights in Burma/Myanmar.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and UEN groups.

Recalling that the people of Burma are subject to human rights abuses including forced labour, persecution of dissidents, conscription of child soldiers, rape of ethnic minority women and children etc., the Parliament condemns the total disregard of the Burma junta for the welfare of the people of Burma. It condemns, in particular, the bomb attacks that took place in Rangoon on 7 May 2005, killing 11 people and wounding 162 others and asks for a policy of peaceful solution of political problems.

Deploring the Burmese regime's campaign of ethnic cleansing against several major ethnic groups fighting for autonomy, the Parliament calls on the State Peace and Development Council dictatorship (SPDC) to initiate immediately a meaningful dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic groups to bring about a return to democracy and respect for human rights, including ethnic minorities' rights and state rights in Burma. It demands, in particular, the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi , Hkun Htun Oo, General Hso Hten, other political leaders and all political prisoners held by the SPDC.

The Parliament calls on the Burmese regime to rescind SPDC Law No 5/96, which carries a 20-year sentence for any discussion of constitutional matters outside the National Convention and to respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in the results of the 1990 elections.

At Community level, the Parliament insists that the EU's Common Policy on Burma be strengthened immediately through a series of technical and diplomatic measures aimed at redefining the links between the different parties in the sense of greater respect for the needs of the people of Burma and an end of contractual relations with undertakings linked to the military junta.

Lastly, the Parliament calls for a high-ranking EU envoy to be appointed to work towards securing the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and calls on the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma as a matter of urgency and to empower the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to mediate in Burma in order to bring about national reconciliation and a transition to democracy.