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EU widens sanctions against Burma UN 'concern' at Suu Kyi sentence
(about 2 hours later)
The European Union has extended sanctions against Burma's military regime to members of the judiciary. The UN Security Council has expressed serious concern at the imposition of a new period of house arrest on Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The additional sanctions were imposed after the decision two days ago to confine pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months of house arrest. A statement from the council, which came after two days of debate, also called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma.
She was found guilty of breaking the terms of her previous house arrest. A court in Rangoon found Ms Suu Kyi guilty two days ago of breaking the terms of her previous house arrest.
Judiciary members responsible for the verdict join military and government figures in having their overseas assets frozen and travel to the EU banned. Earlier the European Union extended its sanctions on Burma.
The European Council said it was extending sanctions "in reaction to the verdict against... Aung San Suu Kyi and given the gravity of the violation of her fundamental rights". The EU said judges involved in Ms Suu Kyi's sentencing would now join military and government figures in having their overseas assets frozen and travel to the EU banned.
All 27 EU member states approved the move, which comes after governments around the world condemned the new conviction. Ms Suu Kyi was found guilty because she allowed an American man, John Yettaw, to stay at her lakeside home after he swam there uninvited in May.
Release calls She was sentenced to three years in prison but the term was commuted to 18 months house arrest, ensuring the opposition leader cannot take in planned elections next year.
Many nations, as well as international bodies such as the EU and the United Nations, called for the immediate release of the 64-year-old pro-democracy leader - who has spent 14 of the past 20 years under house arrest. Governments around the world condemned the conviction.
The US, Britain and France were among those to condemn the verdict, but Burma's neighbour China said the world should respect Burma's laws. UN statement
Correspondents said Thursday's UN statement was watered down from an original US draft, which "condemned" the verdict and demanded that Burma's military junta free Ms Suu Kyi.
"The members of the Security Council express serious concern at the conviction and sentencing of... Aung San Suu Kyi and its political impact," said the statement, read out by the council's current president, British Ambassador John Sawers.
Thai PM on relations with BurmaThai PM on relations with Burma
He said council members "reiterate the importance of the release of all political prisoners".
Ms Suu Kyi, 64, has spent 14 of the past 20 years under house arrest.
The US, Britain and France were among those to quickly condemn Tuesday's verdict, but Burma's neighbour China said the world should respect Burma's laws.
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the current chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) told the BBC that imposing sanctions could lead to problems and that it was important to take a balanced approach to dealing with Burma.Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the current chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) told the BBC that imposing sanctions could lead to problems and that it was important to take a balanced approach to dealing with Burma.
Critics of Burma's military regime say the verdict is designed to prevent Ms Suu Kyi from taking part in elections scheduled for 2010. The latest European sanctions widen restrictions imposed on military and government members after a violent crackdown on protests in 2007.
The latest sanctions widen restrictions imposed on military and government members after a violent crackdown on protests in 2007.
A decade earlier, in 1996, the EU banned the sale or transfer of arms and weapons expertise to the country.A decade earlier, in 1996, the EU banned the sale or transfer of arms and weapons expertise to the country.
It also suspended all bilateral aid other than humanitarian assistance.It also suspended all bilateral aid other than humanitarian assistance.