Chiang Mai – Activists have accused a symposium on 'Burma Affairs' held in Belgium in recognition of 'Burma Day' of substantially ignoring human rights violations committed by the Burmese junta.

Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) criticized the meeting, held on the 29th of October in Brussels, for almost singularly discussing issues on the current and future humanitarian needs of Burma and neglecting the subject of human rights. 

"They have just spoken on humanitarian issues. They did not significantly speak of the human rights abuses of the regime, political issues or the 2010 election. The European Commission must not neglect the Burmese pro-democracy movement when dealing with Burma," director of the group, Mark Farmaner, told Mizzima.

The closed-door meeting, sponsored by the European Union Commission, emphasized providing humanitarian assistance to Burma.

European Union Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner explained in a statement, "Burma/ Myanmar should remain in the centre of our attention as a country that is in dire need of democratic reforms, release of political prisoners and good governance. In addition the people of Burma/Myanmar are still suffering from the devastating consequences of cyclone Nargis".

The Director of Euro-Burma Office (EBO) in Brussels, Harn Yawnghwe, who attended the meeting, said, "They mainly discussed humanitarian assistance by the EU for Cyclone Nargis victims."

The meeting was attended by over 200 people, including UN officials, EU representatives, human rights organizations and Burmese opposition representatives.