Human rights: Thailand, Burma and

Pakistan
Press release

Three resolutions on the situation in Thailand, the pre-election climate in Burma and
religious freedom in Pakistan were adopted by the European Parliament in Strasbourg
on Thursday.

Thailand
MEPs voice deep concern and express their solidarity with the people of Thailand in the light
of the violent conflict between demonstrators and security forces in the country. They are
particularly worried at the introduction of a state of emergency, which has included censor-
ship of the media. They urge all parties "to engage immediately in a constructive dialogue"
in order to seek a quick, negotiated and peaceful settlement to the current crisis.

The government's decision to establish a committee comprising forensic experts and rep-
resentatives of academic institutions to investigate the deaths that occurred during the inci-
dent on 10 April 2010 is welcomed, but MEPs believe the investigations should cover the
most recent deaths as well.

Parliament calls on the Thai Government to ensure that the declaration of a state of emer-
gency does not lead to any disproportionate restriction of fundamental rights and individual
freedoms. A state of emergency has been declared in more than 20 provinces across the
country.

The government is urged to end censorship and restrictions on the right to freedom of ex-
pression. Several radio and television stations as well as internet sites have been censored,
says Parliament.

Burma
The wish of the Burmese authorities to hold elections "under completely undemocratic con-
ditions" and excluding the main democratic opposition party, the National League for Democ-
racy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi until its dissolution last week, is condemned in the Eu-
ropean Parliament's resolution. The elections could take place in late October/early Novem-
ber 2010.

The electoral laws published in March 2010 make the holding of free elections impossible
and should be repealed, say MEPs. The authorities of Burma/Myanmar are urged to heed
the appeals of the international community to allow Aung San Suu Kyi and all other prisoners
of conscience to participate in the political process. The government is also asked to lift
restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, movement and expression, including for
free and independent media.

The resolution deplores the fact that, under the new constitution, the military will be guaran-
teed at least 25% of the seats in parliament and will have the power to suspend civil liberties
and legislative authority in the interests of national security.

MEPs welcome the Council's decision to extend the restrictive measures against Rangoon
by a further year, and express strong support for the continued work of the EU Special Envoy.

EN
Press Service
Directorate for the Media
Director - Spokesperson : Jaume DUCH GUILLOT
Reference No.: 20100518IPR74693
Press switchboard number (32-2) 28 33000 1/2
 Press release
The Commission's decision to cut funding for refugees on the Thailand-Burma border is
criticised. MEPs call for cross-border aid, especially medical assistance, to be restored.
Religious freedom in Pakistan

Parliament is concerned about discrimination and the lack of basic freedoms suffered by
minorities in the broad sense but especially religious minorities in Pakistan, a country whose
majority and state religion is Sunni Islam. They call on the government to review the prac-
tice of including the religious identity of its citizens in all new passports and to carry out a
thoroughgoing review of the blasphemy laws.

Measures taken by the government since November 2008, such as establishing a quota of
five per cent for minorities in the federal jobs sector, recognising non-Muslim public holidays
and declaring National Minorities Day, are welcomed by Parliament.

Among the minority religious and belief groups in Pakistan are Christians, Hindus, Sikhs,
Shiites, Ahmadis, Buddhists, Parsis and Bahá’ís.

Contact :
Thomas DUDRAP
AFET/DROI/SEDE
BXL: (+32) 2 28 44524
STR: (+33) 3 881 77015
PORT: (+32) 498 98 32 84
EMAIL: foreign-press@europarl.europa.eu
Simon DUFFIN
London
EMAIL: Press-en@europarl.europa.eu
EMAIL: simon.duffin@europarl.europa.eu
ADDINFO: (+44) 207 227 43 35
STR: (+33) 3 881 74256
PORT: (+44) 7 786 060 531
Eimear NÍ BHROIN
Dublin
STR: (+33) 3 881 64122
PORT: (+353) 868 559 423
EMAIL: Press-en@europarl.europa.eu
EMAIL: eimear.nibhroin@europarl.europa.eu
ADDINFO: (+353) 1 605 79 32

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