My colleague, Nicholas Tapp, has asked me to post this statement on the situation in Burma (apologies for the delay):

Responsible scholars meeting at the European Association for Southeast Asian Studies Fifth international Conference, at the University of Naples, 11-15 September 2007, deplored the alarming situation for human rights in Burma. We call on the current military authorities to immediately cease the harrassment and imprisonment of peaceful protestors, release those unfairly detained as political prisoners, and return Burma to the democratic process. As scholars engaged in the academic study of the
countries of Southeast Asia we are aware of the important position of Burma in the region, culturally, historically and economically. We express our deep concern at the current situation for human rights in Burma and look forward to a speedy restoration of the democratic process there.

Prof. Nicholas Tapp and Friends.

Good one! A similar statement from the European Association for Southeast Asian Studies itself would have been even better!