EU must reconsider its ties with Myanmar

EP team says after B’desh visit

FE Team | Published: February 18, 2018 23:48:40

The mass exodus of Rohingya people following human rights violations makes it necessary for the European Union (EU) to reassess its relationship with Myanmar, said European parliament members after visiting Myanmar, reports UNB.
"The EU must reconsider its relationship with Myanmar and develop new policies based on incentives and disincentives in each sector, as well as robust conditions," they said in a press statement.
A delegation from the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), joined by Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee MEPs as well as Members of the ASEAN Delegation visited Myanmar and the Bangladesh borders.
The Chair of the delegation Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT) said the European Parliament has had concerns about the human rights situation in Myanmar and after a five-day visit (Feb 12-16) these concerns remain as the human rights situation is clearly deteriorating in various regions of the country and affecting many diverse cultural, ethnic and religious groups, human rights defenders and journalists.
This is shown by the issue of the Rohingya people - who are being driven out of their lands, persecuted, and even killed.
The delegation visited the refugee camps in the Cox's Bazar area, Bangladesh, which are sheltering the population in dire conditions after their mass exodus.
They held meetings with civil society organisations and religious leaders who confirmed the great difficulties that the democratic transition is facing.
The delegation also met with ministers, including the Minister of defence, and parliamentarians.
The delegation supports the democratic transition process and considers it a fundamental pillar for a reform policy to ensure the country achieves what it deserves, i.e. a democratic development based on respect for fundamental freedoms and rights.