Statement of Concern and Protest by people in Europe and around the world who support Burmas democratic struggle

Statement of Concern and Protest by people in Europe and around the world who support Burmas democratic struggle

To: Peoples of the World, their Governments, the United Nations

According to the existing EU Common Position, all high-ranking Burmese government and military officials are banned from traveling to Europe, but the European Union and the Finnish President Tarja Halonen is inviting Burma military regime's foreign affair minister Nyan Win to allow participation at ASEM Summit to be held on 10-11 September 2006 in Helsinki, Finland.

It seems that the EU Common Position is softening, despite the empty promises and maneuvering tactics of the Burma's military regime

We don't think that the E.Us visa exemption for Nyan Win is to promote the critical dialogue between the European Union and Burma which in real sense it will not achieve the Europe main concerned about lack of democratic reforms in the country . The Burmese junta has been trying to enter Europe through the Finnish backdoor as the Finnish government has been one of the least vocal critics of the Burmese regime in Europe. It will see the reacceptance of the Burmese junta in the European community. The Burma juntas scheme to re-enter Europe through the Finnish backdoor should not be allowed.

We are all aware of the military ruled country's poor human rights and democracy record.Systematically dismantling the National League for Democracy and eliminating the ethic groups within the target time. 'The Lady' Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest and there are over 1500 political prisoners still languishing in the prison. As our country people are in fear and distressed, we urge the European Council of Ministers to grant no exemption from the visa ban for the Burmese minister Nyan Win to attend the ASEM meeting in Finland unless an accountable government is in place; and the EU Common Policy on Burma be strengthened.

Article 6 of Current European Common Policy on Burma

1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into, or transit through, their territories of: _

(a) senior members of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Burmese authorities in the tourism sector, senior members of the military, the Government or the security forces who formulate, implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma/Myanmars transition to democracy, and members of their families, being the natural persons listed in the Annex I;

(b) serving members of the Burmese military of the rank of Brigadier-General and above and members of their families. They shall be added to the list in Annex I in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 9.;

Article 9

The Council, acting upon a proposal by a Member State or the Commission, shall adopt modifications to the list set out in Annex I as required.



We, the undersigned, therefore call upon all freedom loving peoples of the world, and their governments, and the United Nations, to support by all and every means
that may be necessary to protest the Finnish government for inviting Burma military junta's officials to come to Helsinki for ASEM summit in September.Let there be no respite in the measures, no relaxing of
our efforts, until this object has been fully achieved.