Ian Pearson: "The British Government, the European Union, the United Nations and our partners in Asia have all repeatedly called for the Burmese authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi, her National League for Democracy colleague U Tin Oo, and the more than 1,300 political prisoners suffering far worse conditions in Burma’s jails. I do so again today."

19 June marks the 60th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel peace laureate. She will spend the day detained in her house in Rangoon, just as she has spent over 3,500 previous days - isolated and cut off from her many friends and supporters in Burma and around the world. She was arrested most recently in 30 May 2003, after a brief period of freedom, and has been detained ever since.

The British Government, the European Union, the United Nations and our partners in Asia have all repeatedly called for the Burmese authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi, her National League for Democracy colleague U Tin Oo, and the more than 1,300 political prisoners suffering far worse conditions in Burma’s jails. I do so again today.

Every day Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention is one more day when the Burmese authorities defy their neighbours and the rest of the international community; and one more day when they fail to live up to their international commitments to release her.

This attitude is self-defeating. Aung San Suu Kyi's standing continues to grow, even while she is locked away from the world. She continues to inspire the people of Burma, and all those around the world who share her commitment to peaceful democratic transition, national reconciliation and respect for human rights in Burma.

Military governments have ruled Burma since 1962. In 1990, the first national elections for 30 years were held. The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won an overwhelming majority, but the military refused to recognise the results. This patent lack of democracy, and the grave human rights situation, makes Burma of great importance to the UK and to our international partners.

There is currently a climate of insecurity in Burma. The Burmese military claim that only they can protect and unify the country. Yet their current policies are having the opposite effect. By failing to negotiate sustainable political solutions, they increase instability and the risk of a return to fighting in ethnic minority regions. This will have negative effects – more drug trafficking, more refugees - on Burma’s neighbors like Thailand and China. We know Burma's neighbors share our deep concern about the current situation; and we will continue to work closely with them to promote peace, democracy and national reconciliation in Burma.

Sadly, peaceful transition seems a long way away. We are deeply concerned by the recent deterioration in the security situation. I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks of 7 May, in which at least 23 innocent people were killed and many more badly injured. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. We are also concerned by the military pressure being exerted on the ethnic ceasefire groups by the Burmese authorities and their proxies; by the impasse in the ceasefire negotiations with the Karen National Union, one of Burma's many ethnic nationalities; by the arrests of leaders of another ethnic nationality, the Shan; and by the continuing harassment of opposition figures.

More widely, the Burmese authorities’ appalling human rights record has been condemned by successive UN General Assembly resolutions. These resolutions demonstrate the international community's determination to ensure Burma lives up to its human rights commitments.

We have also seen earlier this month the grave concern of the members of the International Labor Organization at Burma's failure to live up to its commitments to eliminate forced labor.

So the prospect for positive change, leading to a better, more prosperous life for the Burmese people, remains bleak. What can we do about it?

We must not fool ourselves into thinking there is a simple answer. There is no magic wand we can wave; and no final missing piece of the jigsaw which, if only we could find it, would produce a perfect picture. The solution lies in the hands of the Burmese people themselves, and cannot be forced from outside.

But there is a lot we can still do, working closely with others:

We can support the UN Secretary General, his Special Representative, Tan Sri Razali, and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro. They have a positive role to play in Burma's future - which is why the Burmese authorities’ refusal to allow them to visit is all the more disappointing;

We will continue to work with our partners in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), to support their efforts to press Burma towards positive change and real dialogue. There is no doubt that ASEAN countries are deeply conscious of the urgent need for concrete results from the Burmese authorities, rather than more empty promises.
,br> The prospect of Burmese chairmanship of ASEAN in July 2006 makes the need for results all the more pressing. I look forward to discussing Burma with ASEAN partners during my first visit to the region at the end of July.

We also welcome the active and constructive role being taken by ASEAN Parliamentarians, who have called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and for national reconciliation.

We will work with our EU partners during our EU Presidency to press for concrete progress. We will continue our twin track policy, as set out in the EU Common Position on Burma:

targeted measures aimed at members of the military government who are responsible for the current situation in Burma, and members of their families, cronies and others who benefit from the regime's corruption; and

assistance to the poorest sections of society who suffer most from the Burmese government’s failed policies.

Collectively, the EU and its member countries including the UK have an expanding program of assistance to the people of Burma – Not the government - totaling about ฃ25 million which supports in particular human rights, health, education and community development. This is expanding in view of the serious needs. We also welcome the support provided by the Global Fund to fight HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria in Burma. All three diseases are widespread in the country which, if they are not controlled, will undermine its future potential.

We can also talk to the Burmese authorities, as the EU Troika did most recently in Kyoto on 6 May. But the dialogue must be two-way: the Burmese too must listen and respond to our concerns.

Britain is the leading bilateral EU donor to the people of Burma, and expects to spend at least ฃ7 million a year over the next three years. This assistance focuses on health, in particular HIV/AIDS (ฃ10 million over three years), education, rural livelihoods and the transition to democracy. Our aim is to both respond to humanitarian needs, and helps build the capacity of the Burmese people to address the wider challenges facing their country.

For the transition to democracy to be successful, it will be essential to unlock the talent and potential within the country. And that includes unlocking Aung San Suu Kyi and the 1300 political prisoners languishing in Burma’s jails, and allowing them to play a role in national reconciliation.

- Asian Tribune -