John Ellis
Ceist:48 Mr. Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he proposes to take regarding the present human rights violations in Burma. [3112/95]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Violations.
The Government is gravely concerned at the human rights situation in Burma since the take over of power by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in 1988.
Since the beginning of this year, the human rights record of the regime has further deteriorated. The SLORC leaders have now indicated that Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won the last elections in 1990, and who has been under house arrest since 1989, may not be released for several more years. The Burmese Army has also carried out a large-scale attack on the Karen minority and thousands of refugees have been forced to flee into Thailand.
The serious situation of human rights violations in Burma will be considered during the 51st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which is currently taking place in Geneva.
Ireland, together with its partners in the European Union, is preparing the text of a draft resolution for submission to the Human Rights Commission. The resolution, which Ireland will co-sponsor, can be expected to deplore the treatment of elected political representatives and to make clear the reforms which the Burmese Government must undertake.