Vol. 474 No. 4
85 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration will be given to approaching firms operating in Burma and Ireland for a discussion with NGOs on the business ethics of working in countries with serious human rights problems. [3278/97]
The Government remains gravely concerned at the continuing deterioration of the political and human rights situation in Burma. During the Irish Presidency of the European Union I expressed EU concerns in a forthright manner to the Burmese Foreign Minister, Ohn Gyaw, in meetings with him in Jakarta in July and New York in September. Following the failure of the Burmese authorities to make any significant response to the EU's representations, the Council of the European Union adopted, on 28 October 1996, an EU Common Position on Burma which provides for a ban on entry visas to EU member states for senior members of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and their families as well as for senior members of the military or the security forces who formulate, implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma's transition to democracy, and their families; and the suspension of high-level bilateral govenmental visits to Burma.
In addition, the Common Position recalls the action that has already been taken by the EU i.e. the expulsion of all military personnel attached to the diplomatic representations of Burma in EU member states and the withdrawal of all military personnel attached to diplomatic representations of EU member states in Burma; an embargo on arms, munitions and military equipment; and the suspension of non-humanitarian aid or development programmes.
The EU Common Position states further that its implementation will be moniored by the council and in the light of developments in Burma, further measures may need to be considered.
Apart from the embargo on arms and military equipment, there is at present no trade restriction on Irish companies trading with Burma. However, CSO trade figures indicate that Ireland's trade with Burma is minimal. In 1995 it amounted to only £1.6 million made up of £1.3 million in exports and £0.3 million in imports.
If NGO's are aware of private companies working in such countries it is, of course, open to them to approach these companies with a view to discussing the concerns they have.
86 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the additional measures, if any, which are being considered by the EU to help bring about democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. [3279/97]
The European Union views with great concern the continuing deterioration in the political and human rights situation in Burma. This issue has been actively pursued by the Government, particularly during Ireland's recent Presidency of the EU.
On 13 December 1996, an EU declaration was issued which expressed deep concern at reports of police brutality in the dispersing of student demonstrations in Burma and at the restrictions placed on the movement of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The EU reiterated its call on the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to enter into meaningful dialogue with prodemocracy groups immediately to restore peace and to bring about national reconciliation and indicated that the Union would hold the SLORC fully responsible for the physical well-being of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The EU Common Position on Burma, adopted on 28 October 1996, provides for a ban on entry visas to EU members states for senior members of the SLORC and their families as well as for senior members of the military or the security forces who formulate, implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma's transition to democracy, and their families; and the suspension of high-level bilateral governmental visits to Burma. The common position states further that its implementation will be monitored by the council and, in the light of developments in Burma, further measures may need to be considered. The European Commission have recently completed their investigation into alleged forced labour abuses in Burma. A possible decision to suspend the generalised system of preferences trade benefits for Burma is currently under consideration by the EU.
