Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest initiatives taken by himself and his EU colleagues to secure the release of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I deeply regret the decision of the Burmese regime to renew the detention order on Aung San Suu Kyi for a further year on 26 May. I would again urgently call on the Burmese government to immediately rescind this order and to release all political detainees. This would be an important and significant step towards the regime's professed gaol of a return to civilian democratic government in Burma.

Ireland and our EU partners apply a range of sanctions and restrictive measures to Burma, referred to as the EU Common Position. In renewing the Common Position in April, the Council adopted Conclusions clearly stating the EU's deep concern on the lack of progress in the promised transition towards a legitimate civilian government, and calling for the early release of all political prisoners and an end to the military campaign against civilians in conflict areas. We also expressed our concerns about serious violations of human rights, restrictions on domestic human rights organisations and international human rights institutions by the government of Burma. Ireland played a leading role in preparing the draft Conclusions and in gaining agreement for their adoption.

Ireland and the EU continue to raise the issue of the situation in Burma in all relevant fora, and to work closely with partners to effectively engage international organisations in addressing the situation in that country.

Then Minister of State Noel Treacy raised the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi at the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Nuremburg on 14-15 March, as well as directly with the Foreign Minister of Burma in a bilateral discussion. Ireland joined EU partners at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hamburg on 28-29 May, in the presence of the Burmese Foreign Minister, in forcefully condemning the decision to renew the detention order on Aung San Suu Kyi . EU Ministers at both meetings called for a lifting of restrictions on political parties and the early release of all those under detention.

With EU partners, I strongly support the use of the UN Secretary General's good offices to bring about peaceful political change in Burma. I welcome UNSG Ban Ki-moon's appointment on 22 May of Ibraham Gambari as his Special Adviser on Burma. I hope the Burmese government will cooperate with the Secretary General's good offices mission to make tangible progress on the protection of human rights in that country.