ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)
Press Release, September 28, 2006

UNSC RESOLUTION ON MYANMAR/BURMA
AND DETENTION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), an organization of Parliamentarians from countries in the Southeast Asian region, welcomes the move of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to include Myanmar/Burma in its permanent agenda and calls for the timely passing of a substantial resolution that would see the restoration of democracy in the military-ruled country.

AIPMC lauds the courage and conviction of the UNSC member states that voted to place Burma on its agenda and encourages these countries not to back down from its stand to see reforms in the conflict-stricken country. 

As respect for basic rights and political freedoms in Burma continue to diminish - especially in light of the unwarranted detentions of pro-democracy activists Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe (reportedly on 27 September 2006 in Rangoon) - we strongly urge UNSC members to expediently adopt a comprehensive resolution that will ensure such blatantly unjustifiable acts by the junta no longer occur.

In being aware of the reluctance of some nations to support a UNSC resolution on Burma we ask that the permanent members of the UNSC refrain from using its veto power to prevent the much needed intervention into Burma's political and humanitarian situation.

AIPMC also urges all other member countries of the UN to condemn the junta's violations of human rights against its people and to support all peaceful efforts that would see a democratically elected government lead Burma.

It has been established in the ‘Threat to the Peace' report, commissioned by former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bishop Desmond M. Tutu, that the Security Council has in the past acted on countries where the situation was less severe and not as apparent than it is in Burma today. Why then, should there be any further delay in the UNSC acting on Burma.

AIPMC led an international Parliamentarians signature campaign, in June this year, calling for Burma to be place on the UNSC agenda and for a resolution to be adopted. On behalf of the over 500 Parliamentarians from over 30 countries around the world, who supported the campaign, we would like to remind UNSC member states, current and future, that it has only fulfilled one half of its obligation to ensure regional and international security is protected.

The UNSC must perform its duty – in its entirety – by now adopting a peaceful and binding resolution requiring the restoration of democracy to Burma/Myanmar.

For more information, please visit AIPMC website.