[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 56 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 56

 Encouraging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take action 
         to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 16, 2007

   Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the 
  following concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Encouraging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take action 
         to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma.

Whereas hundreds of thousands of citizens of Burma have risked their lives in 
        demonstrations to demand a return to democracy and respect for human 
        rights in their country;
Whereas the repressive military Government of Burma has conducted a brutal 
        crackdown against demonstrators, which has resulted in mass numbers of 
        killings, arrests, and detentions;
Whereas Burma has been a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
        (ASEAN) since 1997;
Whereas foreign ministers of other ASEAN member nations, in reference to Burma, 
        have ``demanded that the government immediately desist from the use of 
        violence against demonstrators'', expressed ``revulsion'' over reports 
        that demonstrators were being suppressed by violent and deadly force, 
        and called for ``the release of all political detainees including Daw 
        Aung San Suu Kyi'';
Whereas the foreign ministers of ASEAN member nations have expressed concern 
        that developments in Burma ``had a serious impact on the reputation and 
        credibility of ASEAN'';
Whereas Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Burma, has 
        called on the member nations of ASEAN to take additional steps on the 
        Burma issue, saying, ``Not just Thailand but all the countries that I am 
        visiting, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the UN, we could do 
        more'';
Whereas the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action adopted October 7, 2003, at 
        the ASEAN Summit in Bali states that ASEAN members ``shall promote 
        political development ... to achieve peace, stability, democracy, and 
        prosperity in the region'', and specifically says that ``ASEAN Member 
        Countries shall not condone unconstitutional and undemocratic changes of 
        government'';
Whereas the Government of Singapore, as the current Chair of ASEAN, will host 
        ASEAN's regional summit in November 2007 to approve ASEAN's new charter;
Whereas the current Foreign Minister of Singapore, George Yeo, has publicly 
        expressed, ``For some time now, we had stopped trying to defend Myanmar 
        internationally because it became no longer credible'';
Whereas, according to the chairman of the High Level Task Force charged with 
        drafting the new ASEAN Charter, the Charter ``will make ASEAN a more 
        rules-based organization and . . . will put in place a system of 
        compliance monitoring and, most importantly, a system of compulsory 
        dispute settlement for noncompliance that will apply to all ASEAN 
        agreements'';
Whereas upon its accession to ASEAN, Burma agreed to subscribe or accede to all 
        ASEAN declarations, treaties, and agreements;
Whereas 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the relationship and dialogue between 
        the United States and ASEAN;
Whereas the Senate passed legislation in the 109th Congress that would authorize 
        the establishment of the position of United States Ambassador for ASEAN 
        Affairs, and the President announced in 2007 that an Ambassador would be 
        appointed; and
Whereas ASEAN member nations and the United States share common concerns across 
        a broad range of issues, including accelerated economic growth, social 
        progress, cultural development, and peace and stability in the Southeast 
        Asia region: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) joins the foreign ministers of member nations of the 
        Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that have 
        expressed concern over the human rights situation in Burma;
            (2) encourages ASEAN to take more substantial steps to 
        ensure a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma;
            (3) welcomes steps by ASEAN to strengthen its internal 
        governance through the adoption of a formal ASEAN charter;
            (4) urges ASEAN to ensure that all member nations live up 
        to their membership obligations and adhere to ASEAN's core 
        principles, including respect for and commitment to human 
        rights; and
            (5) would welcome a decision by ASEAN, consistent with its 
        core documents and its new charter, to review Burma's 
        membership in ASEAN and to consider appropriate disciplinary 
        measures, including suspension, until such time as the 
        Government of Burma has demonstrated an improved respect for 
        and commitment to human rights.
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