Political relations

France acts for change in Myanmar

France has always considered Myanmar an important country in South-east Asia. Since the 1990 elections, we have consistently, with our partners in the European Union, called for the resumption of a political process providing for achieving national reconciliation and establishing democracy through dialogue. To this end, we have largely made Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s struggle our own.

France regrets that the elections on November 7th, 2010 were neither free nor pluralistic. More than 2,100 people, including Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, were detained for their political beliefs. The opposition’s rights have not been respected.

On November 13th, the President of the Republic and the Foreign Minister welcomed the release of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi. France, with its European Union partners, continues to call for the release of all other political prisoners in Myanmar and dialogue with authorities of all components of the opposition, as well as ethnic minorities. France supports a balanced approach through strengthening humanitarian assistance and aid to civil society, and assistnance measures should there be positive developments in Myanmar. In March 2010, the Ambassador for Human Rights, Mr. Zimeray, visited Myanmar. He sent a strong message to the authorities with regards to the elections. He called on Burmese authorities choose dialogue and respect for democracy rather than engaging in a hardening political impasse whose main victim would be the people of Myanmar. Mr. Zimeray also met with members of the Central Executive Committee of the National League for Democracy, Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, and representatives of civil society in Myanmar.

Myanmar being a member of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and maintaining good relations with China and India, we also rely on the positive influence of Myanmar’s Asian partners, without whom the effects of our actions would be limited.

In its report published in March 2010, the Special Reporter appointed by the Council of Human Rights, Mr. Quintana, said that given the persistence of grave human rights violations in a climate of impunity, the United Nations could consider setting up an international commission of inquiry charged with establishing the facts about possible international crimes in Myanmar. France welcomes this recommendation, as it publicly announced on September 17th, 2010 at the 15th Human Rights Council session in Geneva. France is considering, in conjunction with key partners, how to translate this concretely.

The French Embassy in Myanmar website:www.ambafrance-mm.org

Updated on 06.06.11