EU warns against military crackdown in Burma
The EU has threatened tougher sanctions against Burma if the military regime reacts with violence to the mounting anti-government protests, with reports suggesting Burmese police have used batons and tear gas to beat back monks and other demonstrators.
"I urge the government of Burma/Myanmar to exercise maximum restraint", EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement on Tuesday (25 September), underlining "the demonstrators are merely using their inalienable right of freedom of expression".
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The Portuguese EU presidency – speaking on behalf of all 27 EU capitals – has also called on the Burmese authorities "not to use violence against people who are committed to non-violence" or the country will face new sanctions.
"The EU further underlines to the authorities in Nay Pyi Taw that it will reinforce and strengthen the existing sanctions regime, should they resort to using violence against the unarmed and peaceful demonstrators", Portugal's statement says.
The situation started to come to a head on 15 August when the ruling military junta decided to double the price of petrol and diesel – a move that hit ordinary people hard.
The streets of Burma's towns have since filled with tens of thousands of civilians and Buddhist monks carrying out peaceful demonstrations.
In response, the army has stepped up its presence on the streets and declared a 60-day evening curfew along with a ban on gatherings of more than five people.
According to the BBC, police have started to crack down on the crowd, with warning shots fired. Troops are reportedly surrounding key Buddhist sites around the city of Rangoon.
The question is now whether the generals - in power since 1962 - will use force to disperse the gatherings in a way they did during protests against military oppression in 1988.
Human rights group estimate at least 3,000 people were killed back then.
EU commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said "this difficult situation could be turned into a huge opportunity for political reform" and she urged the Burmese authorities to respect human rights as well as to release all political detainees.
EU sanctions have been in Burma since 1996.
The measures include an arms embargo, suspension of defence cooperation, suspension of trade privileges as well as a visa ban and an assets freeze for top officials of the regime. EU-registered companies are also prohibited from making finance available to state-owned enterprises.
On the other hand, the 27-nation bloc has maintained its humanitarian assistance to the country.
MEPs debate
In response to the political turmoil, MEPs have decided to debate the situation today, with three political groups – the liberals, the greens and the European United Left – also pushing for a resolution on the issue.
"What is going today in Burma is something which hasn't happened since 1988", Italian green MEP Monica Frassoni said, adding that the EU "cannot stay silent." "Publicizing the issue is something we have to do," she stated.
However, the assembly is itself split over the issue, with some lawmakers in favour of the debate, but wanting to postpone the adoption of a resolution for next parliamentary session.