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labour
The Labour Party is deeply concerned about the political, economic
and human rights situation in Burma and considers the regime's violations
of human rights as wholly unacceptable. We recognise the outcome
of the 1990 general election where the national League for Democracy
was elected by a landslide.
The government is exerting pressure on the Burmese to engage in
substantive dialogue with political leaders, including Aung San
Suu Kyi, leader of the national League for Democracy. The view of
the British government is that progress will only be made in Burma
through a political solution, one that recognises democratic rights
and human rights. The Labour government has taken action, announcing
in June 1997 that it would not provide any financial support to
companies for trade missions to Burma or for trade promotion activities
in Burma.
Britain also used its presidency of the European Union to renew
EU measures against the regime and drafted last year's United nations
resolution on Burma. The Labour government will continue to work
for a democratic Burma and press for this through the international
institutions of which we are a member.
conservative party
The Conservative Party is deeply concerned about the human rights
situation in Burma. The issue is one close to our hearts. We are
pleased that human rights activist James Mawdsley has chosen to
join us and campaign for us in the coming election. His seventeen-month
imprisonment, for distributing leaflets which were critical of the
ruling junta, did much to bring to the attention of British people
the human rights situation in Burma.
Throughout Mr. Mawdsley's imprisonment the Conservative Party actively
campaigned for his release. In October, Shadow Foreign Secretary
Francis Maude welcomed Mr Mawdsley's release from prison. He said:
"It must be a great relief for his family that James Mawdsley
is now on the way home. He has done much to raise the issue of human
rights in Burma on the world stage. His arrest and imprisonment
at the hands of the Burmese Government was an outrageous abuse of
human rights and an attack on freedom of speech".
Conservatives believe that the issue of sanctions regarding Burma
must be treated with the utmost caution. It is very important that
any decision taken by the British government does not adversely
affect the very people we are trying to protect. In government we
will aim to find a lasting and substantive democratic solution to
the human rights situation in Burma.
liberal democrats
The Liberal Democrats have been closely following events Myanmar
and have supported Aung San Suu Kyi's efforts to bring democracy
to her country. We recognise her as the legitimate leader of the
Burmese people since the elections of May 1990 were annulled by
the military administrators of Myanmar, the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC). We condemn the continued detention of members of
the National League for Democracy and support the EU Common Position
on Myanmar which demands the unconditional release of all political
prisoner.
Dr Jenny Tonge, the party's International Development spokesperson
has met with the Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government
of Burma and has signed their declaration in which Members of Parliament
across the world show their solidarity with the democratically elected
members of Burma.
Liberal Democrats have supported calls for international sanctions
against Myanmar. In the light of the International Development Select
Committee recent report, 'The Future of Sanctions' we feel that
there is evidence to suggest that purely economic sanctions more
frequently do not target those truly responsible while increasing
suffering of civilian populations. We would like to see the establishment
of a UN body with responsibility for targeting financial sanctions
and the establishment of an Office of Foreign Assets Control so
that individuals and states are more effectively targeted.
The Liberal Democrats will continue to put pressure on the British
Government to press for dialogue with the SPDC, to ensure that the
situation in Burma changes and for an increased role by the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the refugee camps along the
Thai-Burma border. We would also like to see a permanent UN Human
rights monitor in eastern Burma to investigate human rights violations.
Liberal Democrats will continue to urge our Government and the
European Union to take every opportunity to put pressure on the
SPDC to restore democracy in Myanmar. In particular, we hope that
the UK Government's recent decision to discourage Premier Oil from
operating in Burma is the beginning of more concrete action being
taken. We are encouraged by the groundswell among Premier Oil's
shareholders, evident at the company's last annual general meeting,
that the pressure put on Premier Oil's executives will force them
to think again about their investments
the green party of england and wales
The Green Party of England and Wales has no hesitation in supporting
strengthened sanctions on investment and trade against the present
government in Burma. The combination of repression and human rights
abuses accompanied by calls for sanctions by Aung San Suu Kyi for
the democratic opposition makes the case undeniable.
We also support a change to the rules on international trade that
make most sanctions on trade illegal. This is only one of the ways
in which the World Trade Organisation is structured against improving
human rights and environmental protection, which we wish to change.
As well as preventing trade sanctions, existing international trade
rules positively encourage the exploitation of Burma's natural resources,
often using low-paid or slave labour. The current Burmese government
makes protest against mass deforestation and strip-mining almost
impossible, as it does any protest against the status quo. We would
support a boycott of Burmese wood and metals (including copper).
The only people visiting Burma, at present, should be diplomats
and UN representatives demanding fair and free elections and improvements
to human rights in the country. Tourists can only lend the present
Burmese government credibility and bring them revenue. Greens support
the campaign against the sale of holidays and tourist guides for
the area.
A vote for the Greens is a clear vote in support of human rights
and environmental protection. The Greens are also strongly committed
to transparency and openness in government, and minimising the influence
of corporate interests. Oppression is not sustainable. The people
of Burma, with support from the rest of the world, will be free.
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