Releasing Rapists Will Help Political Process in Burma Says EU and ASEAN

From our correspondent in Madrid

The EU and ASEAN have called for the release of rapists, murderers, paedophiles and thieves in a joint statement issued at a Ministerial Summit in Madrid. They say that releasing “those under detention” will “contribute to making the elections more inclusive and help bring about a peaceful political transition.”

The surprise shift in policy is part of a new policy of engagement by the EU, which is restarting the same dialogue which it tried for 14 years until 2002, during which time the human rights and political environment deteriorated, rather than improved.

The statement did not explain why the EU and ASEAN think paedophiles and other criminals have an important role to play in the political process in Burma. In the past they have called for the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is thought to be the first time the two blocs, representing 37 countries between them, have told a country that it should release all criminals in its jails, and seems to be at odds with wording in the same statement which says: “Ministers affirmed their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar.”

Analysts have dismissed suggestions that the wording is a mistake caused by the two blocs not wanting to use the words ‘political prisoners’, arguing that it is inconceivable that the EU would behave in such an unprincipled way, and also argue that even if they did want to downplay the seriousness of human rights abuses in Burma, as some activists have alleged, there is no way they would make such a stupid gaffe.

So far there has been no response from the junta in Burma. It is not known how many criminals are held in Burmese jails.