Yangon, CFSP Statement: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU

The European Union views with concern the recent arrests by the Government of Burma /Myanmar of several leaders of the opposition, notably from the group “Generation 88”, who were protesting against the sharp rise of fuel prices and the economic burdens being heaped on the Burmese people.

The European Union condemns this decision to detain individuals who were exercising their basic right to peaceful demonstrations, and calls for their immediate release.

The European Union further urges the authorities of Burma / Myanmar to release without delay Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leaders and political prisoners, and to engage with all different components of the society of Burma /Myanmar in the sort of open and inclusive dialogue which is indispensable to long awaited political reform.