[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 SENATE RESOLUTION 480--CONDEMNING THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF BURMESE 
   DEMOCRACY LEADER DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND CALLING ON THE MILITARY 
REGIME IN BURMA TO PERMIT A CREDIBLE AND FAIR ELECTION PROCESS AND THE 
                TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN, DEMOCRATIC RULE

  Mr. GREGG (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Brownback, 
Ms. Collins, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Leahy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 480

       Whereas the military regime in Burma, headed by General 
     Than Shwe and the State Peace and Development Council, 
     continues to persecute Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San 
     Suu Kyi and her supporters in the National League for 
     Democracy, and ordinary citizens of Burma, including ethnic 
     minorities, who publically and courageously speak out against 
     the regime's many injustices;
       Whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been imprisoned in Burma 
     for 14 of the last 19 years and many members of the National 
     League for Democracy have been similarly jailed, tortured, or 
     killed;
       Whereas the Constitution adopted in 2008 and the election 
     laws recently promulgated effectively prohibit the National 
     League for Democracy, Buddhist monks, ethnic minority 
     leaders, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from participating in 
     upcoming elections, and do not leave much opportunity for 
     domestic dialogue among key stakeholders; and
       Whereas the persecution of the people of Burma has 
     continued even though the Department of State has pursued a 
     policy of engagement with the military regime designed to 
     secure the release of political prisoners, foster national 
     reconciliation, and facilitate peaceful transition to 
     civilian, democratic rule: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns the continued detention of Burmese democracy 
     leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all prisoners of conscience 
     in Burma, and calls for their immediate and unconditional 
     release;
       (2) calls on the military regime in Burma to engage in 
     dialogue with the National League for Democracy and other 
     opposition groups, as well as with ethnic minorities, to 
     broaden political participation in an environment free from 
     fear and intimidation;
       (3) calls upon the Secretary of State to assess the 
     effectiveness of the policy of engagement with the military 
     regime in Burma in furthering United States interests, and to 
     maintain, and consider strengthening, sanctions against Burma 
     if the military regime continues its systematic violation of 
     human rights and fails to embrace the democratic aspirations 
     of the people of Burma;
       (4) calls upon the Secretary of State to engage regional 
     governments and multilateral organizations (including the 
     People's Republic of China, the Association of Southeast 
     Asian Nations, and the United Nations Security Council) to 
     push for the establishment of an environment in Burma that 
     encourages the full and unfettered participation of the 
     people of Burma in a democratic transition to civilian rule; 
     and
       (5) calls on the Secretary of State to support the National 
     League for Democracy and the people of Burma in calling for 
     significant constitutional and election reforms by the 
     military regime, which will broaden political participation, 
     further democracy, accountability, and responsive governance, 
     and improve human rights in Burma.

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