The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling for a European boycott of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations if Burma assumes the rotating chairmanship in 2006.
The motion passed Thursday with 65 votes in favor, none against, and three abstentions. The parliamentarians condemned Burma's military government for what they called its "total disregard" for the Burmese people.
The lawmakers accused Burma of carrying out ethnic cleansing campaigns, and using chemical weapons. They called on the government to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as other political prisoners.
The resolution also called for stronger economic sanctions against the Burmese government and the end of all non-humanitarian aid to the country, including from the World Bank.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.
