PRESS RELEASE-BONANNI: first signatory of the CISL Appeal for Burma

PRESS RELEASE
BONANNI: first signatory of the CISL Appeal for Burma

Appeal for a commitment against the upcoming sham elections in Burma, which are set to perpetuate the military dictatorship in civilian clothing, the violation of human rights, forced labour and the prohibition against political and trade union freedom, ensuring the impunity of the military junta for its crimes against humanity.

The CISL launches an urgent appeal to the Italian Government and to the European Union to respond to the call made by the Burmese trade unions and democratic organisations to the international community for subjecting the recognition of the upcoming elections to the following conditions:

1. the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and of all the other political prisoners, and the protection of their right to take part and stand in the elections;

2. the ceasing of all attacks against the ethnic communities and democratic activists;

3. the immediate launching of a genuine and inclusive dialogue between the junta, the democratic organisations and the ethnic nationalities, including the reform of the Constitution.

Through this appeal, CISL strongly condemns the Burmese military junta and the unacceptable election laws recently introduced, which prevent the country’s heroine, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the other over 2,100 political prisoners to stand in and cast their ballot at the upcoming elections. These laws are the tragic confirmation of the total non-credibility of the elections and reveal the absolute lack of will by the junta to undertake a fast and effective transition to democracy.

CISL invites you to sign this appeal calling on:

• the Italian Government, Parliament and the EU Special Envoy for Burma to support the three conditions detailed above and subject the recognition of the elections to their implementation, launching urgent consultations with the Burmese trade unions and democratic organisations;
• the Italian Government to commit itself to ensuring that the EU decides to further strengthen the targeted economic sanctions by including the financial and insurance sectors as well, with the prohibition to make new investments and implementing certain and effective monitoring procedures. The sanctions should be applied flexibly, according to the positive or negative developments in the political process;
• the EU to promote these legitimate requests in its negotiations particularly with the Asian countries;
• the EU to actively call on the UN Security Council to approve a total arms embargo on Burma;
• the EU to support the recommendation by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burma to set up a UN Commission of Inquiry on the war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the junta.
Italy must no longer remain silent.
Sign our appeal online at the CISL website www.cisl.it or at www.birmaniademocratica.org.