Asia, Europe urged to exert pressure on Myanmar

CHINA: Asian and European leaders gathering for a summit in Beijing should put pressure on military-ruled Myanmar to improve human rights and embark upon real political reform, a rights group said.

Leaders from countries including China, Japan, Germany, France, Denmark and much of Southeast Asia will be at the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, an ideal venue to tackle the former Burma's problems, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

"ASEM members have a chance to challenge Burma to make political reforms and start respecting basic freedoms," the group's Asia director, Brad Adams said. "Silence over the human rights abuses in today's Burma isn't an option anymore for ASEM leaders." BEIJING,Thursday,

Reuters