Vol. 491 No. 5
42 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the sentencing to seven years in prison of two traditional Burmese comedians (details supplied) apparently as a result of satirising the military regime; the representations, if any, the Government has made to the authorities in Myanmar to seek their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12492/98]
The unfortunate cases of the two Burmese comedians have been brought to the attention of the Government. I am very concerned at these two further examples of the numerous gross violations of human rights of which the current SPDC regime in Rangoon has been accused. I believe that only continuing international diplomatic pressure can be expected to have any influence on this brutal regime. Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with Burma but we shall continue to exert such. pressure in whatever way we can, including through the European Union.
The Deputy will be aware that the EU common position on Burma was adopted on 28 October 1996 and enacted a limited form of sanctions against the regime. Ireland fully supports the punitive measures which have been put in place by the EU and stands ready to add to them in the absence of any progress towards democratisation in Burma and the continuing violation of human rights there.
