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
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.
Passed the Senate
November 16, 2007.
Nancy Erickson,
Secretary