This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
For the last few weeks, hundreds of thousands of Burmese citizens
have been enduring the terrible consequences of cyclone Nargis.
Their destitution is extreme and their suffering unbearable.
Massive and rapid international aid is clearly needed to come
to the relief of the victims and avert an impending health disaster.
Despite the promising results of the negotiations carried
out by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon, the mistrust
of the current Burmese authorities concerning the aid supplied by
humanitarian organisations continues.
In addition, the disaster did not prevent the junta from holding
a sham referendum for the purpose of consolidating its own power.
Nor has it stemmed the repression of the opposition, whose main
leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, remains under solitary house arrest.
This cynical attitude needs to be condemned in the strongest
possible terms. It also demands complete solidarity on the part
of the international community.
It is for this reason that we wish to appeal to the Council
of Europe resolutely to join in the international pressure to ensure
that the Burmese population are helped effectively and that the
opponents of the junta are released at last.
