Democracy

The UK is working to ensure that the UN does what it can to facilitate a transition to democracy in Burma.

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has made clear the UK's position with regard to the recent developments in Burma.  The guilty verdict in the trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a politically inspired sentence, designed to remove Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the political landscape ahead of the 2010 elections.

Most recent

The Security Council made a statement on 13 August making clear its serious concern at the conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, calling for the release of all political prisoners, and urging the regime to create a dialogue with all concerned parties and ethnic groups.  The statement recalled the Council’s previous statements setting out the Security Council’s concerns.

The Security Council adopted on 2 May 2008 under the UK Presidency a statement on Burma underlining the need for the government to establish the conditions and create an atmosphere conducive to an inclusive and credible process, including the full participation of all political actors and respect for fundamental political freedoms. The Security Council also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Secretary-General's good offices mission and expresses its appreciation for the work of his Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari.

The Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement on 11 October 2007 that set out the expectations of the international community of the Burmese regime, including the early release of all political prisoners and "a genuine dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations".

64 for Suu

Friday 19 June is the birthday of imprisoned Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Click for more information on the 64 for Suu campaign and the UK position.

Cyclone Nargis

UN humanitarian agencies continue to work to bring relief to the people of Burma after the cyclone Nargis. The Secretary-General has pressed the Government to build on the relief efforts in the Delat, including expansion of that effort beyond the Delta region.

Background

Myanmar/Burma was added to the Security Council agenda for the first time in late 2006. On 12 January 2007, a US-drafted Security Council resolution that would have urged Burma's military government to release all political prisoners, speed up progress toward democracy and to stop attacks against ethnic minorities, was vetoed by China and Russia, who believe that Burma does not pose a threat to regional security.

The Secretary-General visited Burma on 3-4 July.  His visit followed a number of visits by his Special Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari.  The Secretary-General expressed his deep disappointment at not being allowed access to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and pressed hard for the release of a significant number of political prisoners. 

Note on Burma/Myanmar:

Britain's policy is to refer to Burma rather than 'Myanmar'. The current regime changed the name to Myanmar in 1989. Burma's democracy movement prefers the form ‘Burma’ because they do not accept the legitimacy of the unelected military regime to change the official name of the country. Internationally, both names are recognised.