Sixth Session of the Human Rights Council

U.S. Statement on Burma

As delivered by
Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor

Geneva,
September 27, 2007

Thank you, Mr. President.

The Vienna Declaration affirms the importance of human rights for all.  The U.S. respects those who struggle for those human rights throughout the world.  My government has long called on this Council to enlarge its focus to consider a number of urgent human rights situations.

Today in Burma, common citizens are taking up just such a struggle.  We stand in common cause with them.  We view with deep concern the reports of security forces firing on, attacking and arresting demonstrators.  As President Bush said on Tuesday at the United Nations in New York, “The ruling junta remains unyielding, yet the people’s desire for freedom is unmistakable.”

We call on that junta to exercise restraint in the face of these peaceful protests and stop the violence in which it has engaged.  We call on it to release, unconditionally and immediately, the more than 1,200 individuals, including 150 in the past month, who have been imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views.  We urge the regime to immediately begin a genuine dialogue with its own people, including the leaders of the pro-democracy movement and of ethnic minority groups. 

The U.S. calls for strong action by this Council to underscore – clearly and unequivocally – that Burma must fulfill its human rights obligations to allow peaceful protest and grant citizens their freedom. 

Thank you.