US, EU Lawmakers Condemn Activists’ Sentences

By LALIT K JHA

NEW YORK — US and EU lawmakers on Thursday roundly condemned the harsh sentences recently handed down to pro-democracy activists in Burma, while calling for the release of all political prisoners.

"These latest actions demonstrate not only the military regime's utmost contempt for justice and democracy, but their steadfast determination to block meaningful democratic change for the people of Burma," said US senators Dianne Feinstein and Kay Bailey Hutchison in a statement.

Feinstein and Hutchison are co-chairs of the Senate Women's caucus on Burma.

"We strongly condemn the recent harsh and unjust sentencing of democracy activists by Burma's military regime," said the statement, which came a day after the US Government and the UN joined the international community in reacting to the sentences of up to 65 years, which are seen as another effort by the military dictatorship to quell any voices of resistance.

"The severe and disproportionate sentences range from two years for a poem tinged with political satire to up to 65 years for peaceful protests,” the statement said. “And from all indications, it appears that the junta continues to dole out additional sentences by the day."

"We urge UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to move forward swiftly with his proposed visit to Burma next month to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi," the congresswomen said. "The time for political reconciliation is long overdue in Burma."

The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma also joined the worldwide condemnation. "Those sentenced have committed no crime,” the EU Caucus said in a statement. “They did not receive a fair trial, and many now face spending the rest of their lives in jail."

The caucus called on the European Union to strongly condemn the sentences and also urged EU members in the Security Council to bring up the issue in the 15-member body.

"We call upon the United Nations Secretary General to confirm that he will visit Burma as planned in December this year, and that he will make securing the release of all political prisoners his top priority," the EU caucus said in a statement.