The Dalai Lama’s statement on Burma is referenced in a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 27 September protesting against the repression of anti-government demonstrations. With a visiting parliamentary delegation from China looking on from the gallery of the Chamber, the European Parliament also chose to send a pointed message regarding their government’s role in the situation. The resolution calls on China to fully support a UN Security Council statement condemning the regime’s use of brutal force.

The full text of the resolution follows below and is at: www.europarl.europa.eu).

European Parliament resolution of 27 September 2007 on Burma

The European Parliament ,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma, particularly that of 6 September 2007(1),

– having regard to Rule 103(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

  1. whereas the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks has led a massive wave of peaceful demonstrations against the repressive military junta in Burma and demanded freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners,

  2. whereas the demonstrations have continued to grow in spite of arrests and fears of a violent reaction by government forces,

  3. whereas on 23 September 2007 the Dalai Lama appealed to the Burmese authorities to avoid violence toward Buddhist monks and other protestors,

  4. whereas on 20 September 2007 the situation in Burma was only briefly discussed in the UN Security Council,

  5. Applauds the courageous action of the Burmese monks and tens of thousands of other peaceful demonstrators in confronting the anti-democratic and repressive regime in Burma and utterly condemns the brutal response by the Burmese authorities;

  6. Reiterates its call for the immediate release and full freedom of movement and expression of Aung San Suu Kyi;

  7. Expresses its horror at the killing of peaceful protestors, insists that the security forces return to barracks and calls for recognition of the legitimacy of the demands that are being made, for international medical assistance for the injured and for the release of arrested demonstrators and other political prisoners;

  8. Calls for the cessation of the current illegitimate constitutional process, and its replacement by a fully representative National Convention including the National League for Democracy and other political parties and groups;

  9. Asks China and Russia fully to support a clear statement by the UN Security Council condemning the use of brutal force in Burma, calls on the UN Security Council to empower the UN Secretary-General to take action in order to facilitate national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma, and calls on the UN General Assembly to take appropriate action;

  10. Calls on the UN Security Council to ensure that the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Burma, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, makes his planned visit to Burma as a matter of urgency and is given unfettered freedom of movement and access;

  11. Calls on the Council of the European Union, as a matter of urgency, to liaise with the United States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other members of the international community in order to prepare a coordinated series of additional measures, including targeted economic sanctions, that might be taken against the Burmese regime if it resorts to violence and does not respond to the call for a return to democracy;

  12. Asks the Commission to make the appropriate means available in the framework of the Financial Instrument for the Promotion of Democracy and Human Rights Worldwide in order to actively support the pro-democracy movement and NGOs that work for the restitution of good governance in Burma;

  13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the governments of the ASEAN member countries, the National League for Democracy, the State Peace and Development Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.