III
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 480
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 14, 2010
Mr. Gregg (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Brownback, Ms. Collins, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Leahy) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
May 7, 2010
Committee discharged; considered, amended, and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Condemning the continued detention of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and calling on the military regime in Burma to permit a credible and fair election process and the transition to civilian, democratic rule.
Whereas the military regime in Burma, headed by General Than Shwe and the State Peace and Development Council, continues to persecute Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters in the National League for Democracy, and ordinary citizens of Burma, including ethnic minorities, who publically and courageously speak out against the regime’s many injustices;
Whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been imprisoned in Burma for 14 of the last 19 years and many members of the National League for Democracy have been similarly jailed, tortured, or killed;
Whereas the Constitution adopted in 2008 and the election laws recently promulgated effectively prohibit the National League for Democracy, Buddhist monks, ethnic minority leaders, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from participating in upcoming elections, and do not leave much opportunity for domestic dialogue among key stakeholders; and
Whereas the persecution of the people of Burma has continued even though the Department of State has pursued a policy of engagement with the military regime designed to secure the release of political prisoners, foster national reconciliation, and facilitate peaceful transition to civilian, democratic rule: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
condemns the continued detention of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all prisoners of conscience in Burma, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release;
calls on the military regime in Burma to engage in dialogue with all political groups and individuals dedicated to democratic ideals, as well as with ethnic minorities, to broaden political participation in an environment free from fear and intimidation;
calls upon the Secretary of State to assess the effectiveness of the policy of engagement with the military regime in Burma in furthering United States interests, and to maintain, and consider strengthening, sanctions against Burma if the military regime continues its systematic violation of human rights and fails to embrace the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma;
calls upon the Secretary of State to engage regional governments and multilateral organizations, as appropriate, in order to push for the establishment of an environment in Burma that encourages the full and unfettered participation of the people of Burma in a democratic transition to civilian rule; and
calls on the Secretary of State to support the people of Burma in calling for significant constitutional and election reforms by the military regime, which will broaden political participation, further democracy, accountability, and responsive governance, and improve human rights in Burma.