Along with Senator MCCONNELL and others. we have repeatedly made the case that given the numerous human rights abuses. the spread of HIV/AIDS. the illicit production and trafficking of narcotics. and the trafficking of human beings by the military junta. the situation in Burma should be referred to the United Nations Security Council for debate and appropriate action. A recent report by former Czech president Vaclav Havel and retired archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa-"Threat to Peace: A Call for the UN Security Council to Act on Burma"--confirms the need for U.N. intervention. It details how the situation in Burma fulfills each of the criteria used for past intervention by the Security Council: overthrow of an elected government. armed conflicts with ethnic minorities. widespread human right violations. outflow of refugees. over 700.000. and drug production and trafficking and the spread of HIV/ AIDS. It is time for the United Nations to act on this report and debate and pass a binding. nonpunitive. resolution on Burma that recognizes the threat the regime poses to the region and calls for Suu Kyi and all prisoners of conscience to be released. Some may argue that because Suu Kyi remains under house arrest and the Burmese people lack basic human rights and a representative government. the sanctions have failed and it is time to lift the import ban.
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refugees