Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton verheugd met de vrijlating van politieke gevangenen in Myanmar

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 12 October 2011

Statement by the spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative on the release of political prisoners in

Bur m a/My anmar

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement:

"We welcome the decision of the President of Myanmar (Burma) to grant an amnesty to a significant number ofprisoners. We are pleased to learn that a number ofpolitical prisoners are included in this amnesty and have been set free. Their release is a sign that the new Government is committed to honouring the promise of the President to respect the rule of law and to safeguard fundamental freedoms. It is one among a number of steps the authorities have taken recently that help to make promises of reform more credible. But, we need to see the full picture first. The EU continues to advocate the unconditional release of all political prisoners and encourages the Government of Myanmar to continue this process ofpositive change. In this context, the EU reconfirms the essential importance of a genuine process of dialogue and national reconciliation for a transition to democracy. "

PRESS

FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - Michael. Mann@eeas.europa.eu Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON @ec.europa.eu www.eeas.europa.eu