Press Release
September 28, 2007

SENATE ADOPTS RESOLUTION URGING UN SECURITY
COUNCIL, EU, ASEAN TO INTERVENE IN MYANMAR

The Senate passed a resolution urging the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and the Association of the Southeast Asia to take steps to end the violent repression of the freedom of the people of Myanmar by the military junta here.

The resolution was approved by the Senate Wednesday evening upon the initiative of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban).

The move was spearheaded by Pimentel in the wake of ruling junta's intensified crackdown of the massive recent marches and demonstrations staged by the Burmese people, including thousands of Buddhist monks, who are demanding an end to military dictatorship of the country.

Through the resolution, the Senate decided to:

1. Ask the United Nations Security Council to stop the violence that is now occurring in Burma;

2. Request the European Union to also take action along that line to help restore democracy and freedom in Burma; and

3. Ask the ASEAN, of which the Philippines is a member, to take a similar course of action.

On August 19, 2007, widespread peaceful mass protests began in Myanmar after the government raised fuel prices, but the same could be traced to the deep-rooted dissatisfaction of the people with the repressive military rule that has gripped the country since 1962.

Despite the Myanmar government's warnings banning all public gatherings of more than five people and the imposition of a nighttime curfew, still tens of thousands of Buddhist monks, activists and other supporters marched down the streets to demonstrate their dissatisfaction and grievances.

On Sept. 26, the military junta intensified its crackdown on the biggest pro-democracy demonstrations in 20 years by ordering government troops to fire shots over the heads of large crowds in Rangoon, capital of Myanmar and arrested a great number of protesters many of whom were Buddhist monks, killing and injuring some of them.

In justifying the resolution, Pimentel cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which provides that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile and that everyone has the right to freedoms of peaceful assembly and association.

He also emphasized that the Philippines, as member of the United Nations, has an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedom as stated in the UN Charter.

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