The European Parliament adopted by a large majority (454 votes in favour, 5 against and 39 abstentions) on Thursday 11 May in Strasbourg a resolution tabled by The Left, Greens/EFA, S&D, Renew Europe and ECR groups denouncing the dissolution of 40 democratic parties by the Myanmar junta in March 2023.
MEPs condemn the decision of the military-appointed Union Election Commission of Myanmar to dissolve 40 political parties under the Political Parties Registration Law (see EUROPE 13152/14). They then denounced the subsequent arrests of political figures and called for the immediate reinstatement of these parties.
They urge the junta to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, call for an immediate end to the illegal state of emergency and the indiscriminate use of force, and for the restoration of civilian government.
In addition, a proposed amendment adopted in plenary recognises that Myanmar has one of the worst situations in the world when it comes to imprisoning journalists.
Finally, the European Parliament calls on the EU and its Member States to substantially increase humanitarian aid to the population and refugees, including the Rohingya, to introduce additional targeted sanctions against the military and its business interests and to end the involvement of EU-based private companies, such as MADE (Myanmar Apparel Industry Project), with Myanmar, if workers’ rights cannot be guaranteed. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)