British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said European Union nations agreed Friday to step up sanctions against Myanmar as the country's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi celebrated her 64th birthday. EU leaders also marked the occasion by calling for her ``immediate, unconditional release.' Brown said it was ``a tragedy' that she would spend her birthday in prison ``as the Burmese regime continues its absurd and contemptible sham trial of her.'
The EU projected a photo of Suu Kyi on to the European Parliament building in Brussels to protest her imprisonment. ``She is an inspiration to me and to all those who fight for human rights, for democracy and for a better and fairer world,' Brown told reporters after meeting with leaders of the EU's 27 nations. ``The Burmese regime must know there will be consequences for their actions so Europe agreed today to step up sanctions and to take further targeted measures,' he said. ``We will also work with the rest of Asia to increase the pressure (on Myanmar).'
The EU leaders issued a stern declaration at Friday's summit and said Myanmar's credibility in holding elections next year would be undermined unless she is released. They called on Myanmar's military regime to undertake ``a genuine transition to democracy.'