Supporting Democracy and Human Rights in Burma
Dakar 2003
The 52nd Congress of Liberal International in Dakar, Senegal:
Condemns the continued detention and harassment of Nobel Laureate, Sakharov Prize and Liberal International Prize for Freedom winner Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her party, the National League for Democracy, and condemns the abuses of human rights perpetrated in Burma. Furthermore:
Noting the widespread international condemnation of the detention of the members of the National League for Democracy and the harassment and intimidation directed towards those fighting for democracy in Burma;
Noting with concern the continued and widespread human rights violations against the peoples of Burma, and the failure of the Burma regime to implement the choice of the people as shown in the election results in 1990, when the National League for Democracy won over 80% of the vote.
Deploring the continued persecution of ethnic minorities in Burma by military attacks and the imposition of forced labour.
Noting the report of Amnesty International on the 29th July which calls for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and other National League for Democracy members and supporters, urges that the perpetrators of the attack on the National League for Democracy and their supporters be brought to justice, and notes concerns regarding failures in the administration of justice and many other human rights violations.
Noting that while there are positive reports of a commitment by Burma to resolve the issue regarding the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi by October and their release of some of the political prisoners held, is concerned that these moves came only following extension of sanctions against the Burmese regime, and the threat of potential expulsion from ASEAN.
Welcomes the actions of the Governments who have taken action against the regime in Burma, and further: Calls on the Burmese regime to release immediately Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy;
Calls on the Burmese regime to recognise and implement the results of the 1990 elections, won by the National League for Democracy, and to allow a peaceful transfer of power;
Calls on the Burmese regime to uphold the human rights of all the peoples of Burma;
Calls on Governments and the private sector to discourage tourism to Burma;
Calls on Governments to not encourage trade with, or investment in Burma. This is in keeping with the stated wishes of Burma’s democracy leader and Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
And calls on all member parties of Liberal International, whether in Government or opposition, to further these calls and promote the cause of a democratic and peaceful Burma, upholding the rights of all of its citizens.
