Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Sanctions against Burma were renewed for a further 12 months at the April session of the Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland was to the fore in the preparation of this decision, arguing for the extension of restrictive measures by the European Union. In taking this decision, Ministers were very much aware of the views of Aung San Suu Kyi. By renewing sanctions, the European Union has maintained the prohibition on the sale, supply, transfer or export of equipment and technology to enterprises in Burma engaged in logging and timber processing, mining and processing of specified natural resources, semi-precious and precious stones. The purchase, import or transport of products from these industries into the European Union is also prohibited.

Under the restrictive measures, the visa ban and asset freeze remain in place against a specified list of individuals with links to the regime, including all members of the new Burmese Government who were appointed following the deeply flawed parliamentary elections last year. However, to allow for the pursuit of constructive engagement with the new Government, Ministers agreed to suspend imposition of the restrictive measures in the specific cases of the Burmese Foreign Minister and those new Government appointees who do not have military backgrounds. In renewing sanctions, Ministers reiterated their commitment to the people of Burma and demanded the release of all political prisoners and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma.

While Ireland is a strong supporter of maintaining sanctions until genuine progress on human rights and political reform takes place, we do not view sanctions as an end in themselves. The European Union stands ready to respond positively to genuine progress towards democratisation and respect for human rights and this must include full respect for the rights of all of Burma's ethnic minorities.

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