Luxembourg, 10/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, making note of the lack of tangible progress in human rights in Burma, the General Affairs Council extended for six months its common position forbidding visas for the leaders of the Burmese junta, freezing their assets in Europe and banning arms exports in their direction. In addition, the Council adopted its conclusions in which it welcomed initial contacts between the peace and development council (SPDC) in power in Burma, and the Nobel peace prize laureate, Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi, secretary general of the league for democracy.
The Council pointed out that it sincerely hoped that contacts between the SPDC and the NLD will quickly lead to progress towards national reconciliation, democracy and respect for human rights for all in Burma/Myanamar. The Council underscored that the EU is ready to back those developments.
The Council reiterated its support for the special envoy of the UN Secretary General, Tan Sri Razali Ismail. It also welcomed the recent contacts between the government of Burma and the special UN rapporteur for human rights, Sergio Pinheiro and hopes that it will soon be possible to attain the objectives of its remit during subsequent visits.
The Council highlighted that it backs the resolution of the general conference of the International Labour Organization, adopted in November, 2000, and emphasized the need for the Burmese authorities to fully co-operate with the ILO in order to put an end to forced labour in a verifiable manner.