The European Union notes with grave concern the reports of recent politically motivated detentions and arrests in Burma/Myanmar, including the detention of several students in August and, most recently, of 30 people in the last week of September.

The European Union, along with the members of the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, has repeatedly called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma/Myanmar.

The European Union has welcomed the release of over 300 political prisoners in the past 18 months. However this modest progress is undermined by the completely unjustified resumption of politically motivated detentions and arrests.

The European Union calls on the authorities of Burma/Myanmar to immediately cease the arrest and detention of people on political grounds. The European Union also calls upon the authorities in Burma/Myanmar to take advantage of the forthcoming visits by the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to make urgent progress towards the promotion of national reconciliation, respect for human rights and the return of democracy.