Following the
debate which took place during the sitting of 26th September 2007, the
European Parliament adopted a joint resolution by 563 votes in favour, 3
against and 4 abstentions
on the situation in Burma. It applauded the courageous action of the
Burmese monks and tens of thousands of other peaceful demonstrators in
confronting the anti-democratic and repressive regime in Burma. Parliament utterly condemned the brutal response by the Burmese authorities. It
expressed its horror at the killing of peaceful protestors, insisting that
the security forces return to barracks and called for recognition of the legitimacy
of the demands that are being made, for international medical assistance for
the injured and for the release of arrested demonstrators and other political
prisoners. It also reiterated its call for the immediate release and
full freedom of movement and expression of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Council of the European Union was asked, as a matter of urgency, to liaise with the United States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other members of the international community in order to prepare a coordinated series of additional measures, including targeted economicsanctions, that might be taken against the Burmese regime if it resorted to violence and did not respond to the call for a return to democracy.
Parliament went on to call for the cessation of the current illegitimate constitutional process, and its replacement by a fully representative National Convention including the National League for Democracy and other political parties and groups. It asked China and Russia fully to support a clear statement by the UN Security Council condemning the use of brutal force in Burma. Parliament called too on the UN Security Council to empower the UN Secretary-General to take action in order to facilitate national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma, and called on the UN General Assembly to take appropriate action. The UN Security Council must ensure that the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Burma, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, makes his planned visit to Burma as a matter of urgency and is given unfettered freedom of movement and access.
Lastly, the Commission was asked to make the appropriate means available in the framework of the Financial Instrument for the Promotion of Democracy and Human Rights Worldwide in order to actively support the pro-democracy movement and NGOs that work for the restitution of good governance in Burma.