The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) organises a public hearing on human rights in Burma / Myanmar, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brussels

EU - Myanmar (T)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

public hearing

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

Human rights in Burma / Myanmar: extracts from the public hearing

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14027767/ebs72253Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), I have turned to the High-Representative, Lady Ashton, a letter recently with the view on the ongoing meeting UN General Assembly and I refer to the EP resolution on Burma. That would pave the way for an international inquiry on the serious violation on human rights in Burma Myanmar but also in North Corea.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ben ROGERS, East-Asia Team Leader, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, The EU muss resist any temptation to soften sanctions until there is meaningful change in Burma. Current measures must been maintained until there is clear progress, including the release of all political prisoners and end to the offensness to civilians described today and the beginning of dialog between the regime, the democratic movement and the ethnic minorities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ben ROGERS, East-Asia Team Leader, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, My final recommendation it is the one I hope compelled most immediate action, is that the EU must take action to support calls to end crimes agains humanity committed by the regime. Over 12 countries have now expressed support for the UN special rapporteurs recommendation for the UN establishing a committee of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity including mayor EU countries and US, Australia and Canada. Momentum is growing. The EP itself called for an inquire early this year. It is now time for the EU to follow the EP request to end impunity in Burma.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zoya PHAN, International Coordinator, Burma Campaign UK, The regime is know going ahead with their own fake elections. And this elections will bring a constitution that will legalize bad rules, that will guarantee no human rights, no democracy and no real freedom for the people in Burma and will not solve the problem that Burma faces.

SOUNDBITE (English), Debbie STOTHARD, Coordinate of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN), If Europe does not get firmer ASEAN will not move forward. If Europe is soft, ASEAN would be softer. So basically the mentality of governments commitment to human rights and democracy in our region is usually pad of 65% of Europe. So if you get less, they also will get less.

SOUNDBITE (English), Debbie STOTHARD, Coordinate of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN), We have already seen the outrageous and scandalous election laws which dictate that parties must expel leaders who are in detention in order to participate in the election. There is also been laws where people are threatened with 2 to 20 years in jail for trying to disrupt the election. And we have a very strange situation where people are not allowed to have slogans or to march.