Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on detentions in Burma/Myanmar

Press release 405/2006
5 October 2006

The EU notes with deep concern that former student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe, detained by the Burmese/Myanmar authorities on the 18th anniversary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) last week, have still not been released. The detention of two further activists, Min Zeya and Pyone Cho, on September 30 has given rise to further concern.

The European Union appreciates the aspirations of different civil society actors who try to promote peaceful reconciliation and transition to democracy in Burma/Myanmar. Dialogue between various representatives of the society in Burma/Myanmar, like in any other country, is indispensable for the development of the country.

The EU reiterates that a genuine process of democratization can only be achieved by a dialogue between the government and all other political and civil society forces. The EU therefore calls upon the government of Burma/Myanmar to release the detained individuals immediately.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.