Aung San Suu Kyi Meets Burmese Minister

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has held her first meeting with the senior military official appointed to liaise with her.She spent just over an hour with former general Aung Kyi, state media said.Aung Kyi was given the task of liaising between the government and Ms Suu Kyi earlier this month, in an apparent concession to international pressure.

Previous attempts to build dialogue between the military and Ms Suu Kyi - the head of the National League for Democracy party - have come to nothing. Senior military generals are reported to find even the mention of her name distasteful, and she has spent 12 of the past 18 years under house arrest.

Preliminary Key Findings of a Joint FIDH-ITUC Mission on Burma

Paris-Brussels, 23 October 2007: After the September crackdown on peaceful protests in Burma, the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) decided to send a joint international fact-finding mission on the Thai border with Burma to collect first-hand information on the wave of repression. The objective was also to discuss with Burmese pro-democracy and human rights groups about possible international strategies to contribute to the democratization of the country.

The mission, composed of four members from Australia, Belgium, and Thailand, stayed in Bangkok and on the Thai-Burma border from October 13 to 21. The mission did not travel to Rangoon or central Burma as the risks involved for the people interviewed would have been too high.

“We interviewed 13 persons who participated in the protests in Burma and subsequently had to flee to Thailand. They could not live safely anymore in Burma as they had been followed, their homes raided, and their pictures distributed”, said Alison Tate, mission delegate representing ITUC.

“While no accurate and verifiable number of deaths or wounded can be given at this stage, we can assert that the repression was brutal and systematic. Most of the participants witnessed people being shot dead, as well as persons beaten to death”, said Gaëtan Vanloqueren, FIDH mission member and Actions Birmanie spokesperson. It is the first time that the monks have been a direct target of repression. “Arrests are still taking place. The regime is now taking family members in hostage when the searched persons are not at home. SPDC is conducting widespread arbitrary arrests in Rangoon and elsewhere”, he added.

People and organisations met by the FIDH/ITUC mission believe that the SPDC is not genuinely committed to a process of political dialogue. “The regime is trying to save time in order for the media attention to phase down. This is the stalling tactics the regime has played over the years. Than Shwe’s proposal came with unacceptable preconditions placed on Aung San Suu Kyi at a time when large-scale arrests and other repressive measures are still on-going”, said Olivier De Schutter, Secretary General of FIDH. All organizations mentioned that the top priority for a genuine dialogue is the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Ko Ming Ko Naing. Gambari’s mission cannot be a success without increased pressure from the international community “The international community must establish benchmarks and a timeframe for the coming year, and assess progress every month” said Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the ITUC.

“Negative signals to the SPDC need to be combined with signs of encouragement to the Burmese people” added the mission delegates Vanloqueren and Tate. All organizations from the Burmese democratic movement in exile repeated their call for immediate sanctions on trade and investment in the three ’milkcow’ economic sectors that provide vital support to the military regime (oil and gas, timber and mining, including gems and minerals). While Burma saw a 2000% increase in FDI between 1995 and 2005, 95% of the population lives with less than 1$ day, and 90% with less than 0.65$ a day. “Sanctions hurt the regime and the crony elite, not the people, living from agriculture or the informal economy” mission delegates were told many times. Economic sanctions from the EU, whilst not as impactful as a freezing of Burma-China or Burma-ASEAN trade, are seen by Burmese democrats as a moral issue and a positive signal to the people living inside Burma.

The organisations met by the mission also discuss and consider ways to bring the SPDC generals to account for the crimes they committed. Most interviewed persons thought increased pressure would help, not hurt the existing possibilities of political dialogue. The root causes of the protests have not been addressed. The fuel price rise, the widespread violations of economic and social rights as well as the severe restrictions on civil liberties, the lack of rule of law and the impunity of the authorities are fueling the desire for change more than ever.

If “this is not over”, as told by a Burmese resident who participated the protests, there is an urgent need for the international community to seize the opportunity As noted by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, “Dictatorships are not eternal”. She also said, “Please use your liberty to promote ours”. More than ever, these two quotes need to be read together: third countries can play a role to accelerate the transition towards democracy.

Availability for interviews :

Olivier De Schutter : +32 (0) 2.640.42.95
Gaëtan Vanloqueren : +32 (0) 472.331.7

Aung San Suu Kyi Day -Organise a Protest for the 24th October

October 24th has been designated Aung San Suu Kyi day.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the democratically elected leader of Burma, on the 24th she will have been under house arrest for 12 years.

To mark this at 12 noon in 12 key cities around the world 12 people will come together wearing Aung San Suu Kyi masks and dressed in white to protest outside Chinese embassies. Why China? Because they can exert the most influence over Burma and so far they have been dragging their feet. Why White? Because that's what political prisoners in Burma are made to wear. The 12 peaceful protestors will be chained together.

Burma lifts Curfew

Today Myanmar's military junta lifted the curfew imposed in the country's main city Yangon last month after a crackdown on mass protests.The announcement was made by loudspeaker trucks driving through the streets of Yangon. It was not clear if a ban on assembly of more than five people had also been relaxed.It was not immediately known if a curfew in the central city of Mandalay, which also saw mass demonstrations against the junta, had been lifted as well.

Authorities say 10 people were killed when the army crushed the huge protests, which began as small demonstrations against fuel price rises in August and escalated as Buddhist monks joined in. Western governments say the true death toll is probably far higher.

Currently United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari is touring Asia to seek a common approach to persuading the generals to compromise with Suu Kyi, who has spent nearly 12 of the last 18 years in detention. Junta leader Than Shwe has agreed to meet Suu Kyi if she gives up key positions, but military government has shown no sign of deviating from its 7-step "roadmap to democracy" which critics deride as a sham to keep the generals in power.

Slaughter: Executed monks have been dumped in the jungle

During the recent visit by the UN speical envoy to burma in which he was trying to broker peace, the junta's security forces lightened their presence in Yangon, the country's main city, which remained quiet after troops and police brutally quelled mass protests last week. The 9 pm -to-5 am curfew was scaled back to 10 pm to 4 am. Kept off the streets, many residents launched a new form of protest Monday evening by switching off their lights and turning off television sets from 8 pm - 8.15 pm during the nightly government newscast.

Dissident groups say up to 200 protesters were killed and 6,000 detained in the crackdown, compared to the regime's report of 10 deaths. "Normalcy has now returned in Myanmar," Foreign Minister Nyan Win told the UN General Assembly in New York in a recent address, adding that security forces acted with restraint for a month but had to "take action to restore the situation." Nyan Win made no reference to the deaths. Instead, he blamed foreigners for the violence. "Recent events make clear that there are elements within and outside the country who wish to derail the ongoing process (toward democracy) so that they can take advantage of the chaos that would follow," Nyan Win said.

"They have become more and more emboldened and have stepped up their campaign to confront the government," he said.
"The destiny of each and every country can only be determined by its government and people," he said. "It cannot be imposed from outside." Nyan Win's comments indicated that the junta would not give up its hardline position and is willing to thumb its nose at international demands to restore democracy and free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In Rangoon, despite agreeing to see Gambari, the generals continued posting troops and police across the city and dispatching pro-junta gangs to raid homes in search of monks and dissidents on the run. "They are going from apartment to apartment, shaking things inside, threatening the people. You have a climate of terror all over the city," a Bangkok-based Myanmar expert said.

The plight of the monks who brought the protests to the burmese capital Rangoon.

Many of the remaining detained monks have been disrobed and shackled, according to sources quoted by BBC Radio's Burmese service. The reports follow claims from a former intelligence officer in Burma's ruling junta that thousands of protesters have been killed and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle. Public anger ignited on August 19 after the government increased fuel prices, then shifted into protests led by Buddhist monks against 45 years of military dictatorship.

The most senior official to defect so far, Hla Win, said: "Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand." Mr Win said he fled when he was ordered to take part in a massacre of holy men. His defection will raise a faint hope among tens of thousands of Burmese who have fled to villages along the Thai border. They will feel others in the army may follow him and turn on their ageing leaders, Senior General Than Shwe and his deputy, Vice Senior General Maung Aye.

Take Action Now -Burma : No Clean hands for Foreign Business

IUSY is asking all member organisations is supporting the lobby to ask multinationals in Burma to 'Leave Now'. IUSY is encouraging member organisations to write to all multinational companies known or suspected of having business links to Burma to pull out of the country and “stop propping up the brutal regime”, and is calling on governments to extend economic sanctions to cover all economic sectors. While numerous foreign companies have ceased doing business with Burma, under pressure from the international trade union movement and human rights and democracy groups, many multinational companies still have relations with the military dictatorship.

Burma’s economy is built on absolute repression of its workforce, with the use of forced labour still rife in the country despite international pressure on the regime to respect fundamental rights. The case for full and effective sanctions is now absolutely compelling, and any company which does not withdraw voluntarily must be made to do so by governments and international and regional organisations including the United Nations and the European Union. The international trade union movement have for many years called on the EU to include Burmese state monopolies covering gas, oil, mining, tropical woods and precious stones in the list of companies with which EU-based multinationals are forbidden to do business.

Top of the list are several key multinationals with well-documented business links to Burma, including Caterpillar (USA), China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Daewoo International Corporation (Korea), Siemens (Germany), Gas Authority of India (GAIL), GlaxoSmithKline (UK ), Hyundai (Korea), ONGC Videsh Ltd (India), Swift (Belgium), and Total (France).

Military aid will be a special focus of this campaign action, which will also look closely at the junta’s growing economic links with India, China and several other countries. India’s trade for example has grown from some US$ 341 million in 2004-5 to $650 million the following year, with a target of US$ 1billion set for 2006-7.

UN envoy Condemns Burma Arrests

UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has described as "extremely disturbing" new arrests in Burma, calling on the ruling junta to stop detaining democracy activists.
Several prominent Burmese student leaders were arrested over the weekend. He was speaking in Thailand as EU foreign ministers were preparing to meet in Luxembourg to discuss tougher sanctions against the junta.

At their monthly meeting, the EU foreign ministers are expected to ban imports of gemstones, timber and metals from Burma, as well as voicing their support for Mr Gambari's mission. Burma's generals already face an EU travel ban and a freeze on assets.

BBC European affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu says the generals can now expect fresh embargoes on some of their more lucrative exports - including jade, rubies and teak. However, European sanctions have had practically no impact on Burma, as more than 90% of the country's trade is with its Asian neighbours, she says. The new measures will not prevent the French energy giant Total from doing business with the junta, though diplomats say that may come later.

Joint Press Statement of YPSEA and the IUSY-Asia-Pacific Committee on Burma

Our Urgent Call to the Military Leaders of Burma and to the ASEAN Governments: Stop the Violence, Respect Human Rights, Restore Democracy in Burma Now!!!
The Young Progressives Southeast Asia (YPSEA) in Malaysia and the IUSY Asia Pacific strongly condemn the Myanmar (Burma) military regime’s use of brute force to crush the peaceful demonstrations of the Buddhist monks and Burmese people. The brutal action had resulted in the loss of lives and the detention of thousands of freedom-loving people.
YPSEA Executive Committee Member Jenice Lee Ying Ha and IUSY Asia Pacific Vice President Anthony Loke submitted a sment of protest at the Myanmar (Burma) Embassy in Malaysia on 1 October 2007. In the statement, YPSEA and IUSY Asia-Pacific:
1. Condemns the military regime and its brutal action against the peaceful demonstrators. They urged the military regime to respect human rights, especially the right to peaceably assemble, and urged the release of all the political prisoners immediately.
2. Calls on the international community to actively intervene and impose sanctions on Myanmar (Burma) military government until democracy and the full recognition of human rights is restored in Burma.
3. Calls on the the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs should pressure the Myanmar junta to stop all the violence against the people and proceed with the democracy plan. Further, the Foreign Affairs Ministry should condemn the brutal action against demonstrators and condemn the Chinese government and Russian government for vetoing the “UN Resolution for Condemning Myanmar”. Bpoth YPSEA and IUSY-AP express their disappointment with the Chinese government and Russian government who have ignored the abuses of the Myanmar military regime, the violence crackdown of peaceful demonstrators and the forcible detention of many social activists and their leaders who have been struggling for genuine democracy and freedom.
4. Strongly urges the ASEAN member-governments to impose political pressure and economic sanctiosn on the Myanmar military regime and to call for an emergency meeting to review the ASEAN membership of Myanmar.
5. Urges as well the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) to pressure the Myanmar military regime to stop all the violence against the people and stop the detention of the activists who are exercising their fundamental right to free expression.

The YPSEA is a regional organization of young progressives aimed at creating political exchange and communication in order to promote democracy, equality and human rights in Southeast Asia. It was established in 2004 and was formally set up in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Its membership consists of progressive youth groups from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia.Timor Leste currently have observer status.
Current YPSEA Executive Committee members are Jenice Lee Ying Ha (Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth - DAPSY), Kodchawan Chaiyabutr (Student Federation of Thailand) and Wilson Requez (Student Council Alliance of the Philippines and the regional coordinator for the YPSEA). Member groups from Malaysia include Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY), Malaysia Student Movement (DEMA) and Pergerakan Rakyat Progresif Demokratic (PRODEM).

文告
东南亚青年进步组织（Young Progressive Southeast Asia, YPSEA）及亚太区国际社会主义联盟日前到缅甸驻马来西亚大使馆抗议缅甸军人政府使用武力驱散游行示威的僧人，造成至少9人死亡并逮捕千余人。
东南亚青年进步组织执行委员李映霞及亚太区国际社会主义联盟副主席陆兆福到马来西亚缅甸大使馆提呈备忘录。针对这事件，社青团发表了以下的声明：
1. 谴责缅甸军人政府使用武力对付手无寸铁的僧侣，以及逮捕千余人，漠视人民对追求民主及自由的意愿。呼吁军人政府正视缅甸的人权以及民主，同时马上释放所有政治囚犯和扣留者。
2. 国际社会应该介入并制裁缅甸，直到军人政府把政权归还于1990年赢得政权的昂山素枝以及缅甸民主联盟。
3. 马来西亚外交部应该在外交上向缅甸军人政府施压并严厉谴责血腥镇压以及谴责中国和俄罗斯於联合国安理会阻挡“联合国谴责缅甸议案”，因为中、俄漠视缅甸军人独裁、血腥镇压民主及囚禁民主运动的领袖及活跃分子。
4. 呼吁东协(ASEAN) 的成员国马上对缅甸进行经济制裁，并且召开紧急会议，检讨缅甸的会员籍。
5. 呼吁东协声援民主化论坛(ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, AIPMC)向缅甸政府施压, 要求军人政府马上停止镇压和逮捕示威人士。

东南亚青年进步组织涵盖的国家有马来西亚、菲律宾、泰国、柬埔寨、印度尼西亚；而缅甸和东帝汶还在观察阶段。第一届的执行委员会委员包括行动党社青团国际秘书李映霞、泰国学生联合会 – Kodchawan Chaiyabutr及菲律宾学生议会联盟主席Wilson Requez （委员会的协调员）。(Ypsea.blogspot.com)
出席请愿的人士包括东南亚青年进步组织马来西亚的成员--行动党社青团、马来西亚青年及学生运动和人民进步民主运动(PRODEM).

Call to Global Action: Support the Burmese People in their fight for Democracy

With mounting protests in recent days in Burma, the ruling military junta have reacted with unwarranted and ferocious assaults on the demonstrators. Violent confrontations have taken place in several locations, notably around the infamous Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon. Some 700 students, monks and nun have been beaten by riot police with batons, and at least 20 teargas canisters and a similar number of live bullets have been fired by police in the vicinity of the pagoda.

IUSY is gravely concerned at the increasing violence and the intolerance shown by the military regime of any dissent or opposition. IUSY firmly believes that the deteriorating situation in Burma must not go unnoticed and thus IUSY is launching its own "IUSY Burma Watch" as part of it’s ongoing Burma Campaign. You can access the IUSY Burma Watch on the following link: http://iusyburmawatch.blogspot.com/

Moreover IUSY stands firm in its belief that the ruling junta must now be placed under the maximum possible international pressure thus IUSY is launching an appeal to all member organisations for global action to put pressure on the military junta to ensure peace and take steps to engage in a real process of democratic transition.

On the 2-3 November IUSY will be holding a meeting on Burma with the All Burma Students League (ABSL). In the run up to this meeting IUSY will launch a month of action on Burma on the 1st October accumulating with a global action on the 2nd November in support of the Burmese People.

So Join our actions of International Solidarity and support the Saffron Revolution of the Burmese People !

EU toughens sanctions on Burma

The EU today agreed to expand sanctions against Burma’s military regime in protest at the crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators.Diplomats said extra sanctions would include an expanded visa ban for members of the military junta, as well as expanded import bans on such products as timber and gemstones. The new measures will be given a final approval by EU foreign ministers in a fortnight. National envoys to the EU also agreed to back new diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to push the junta into talks with pro-democracy groups.

A panel of EU experts is to determine the details of the new measures before EU foreign ministers meet on October 15 in Luxembourg. As part of new economic measures, the EU said it would expand an investment ban and block more trade in metals, wood and precious stones, like rubies and sapphires. The new measures do not include a specific ban on European oil and gas companies from doing business in Burma, diplomats said. Any new sanctions would add to EU diplomatic and economic measures already in place against Burma over its lack of political reforms and its poor human rights record. Sanctions were first imposed in 1996 and include a ban on travel to Europe for senior government officials, an asset freeze and a ban on arms sales to Burma.

Military Junta hunting down anti-government protesters

Burmese troops today began hunting down anti-government protesters in house-to-house searches across Rangoon. Military vehicles patrolled the streets before dawn with loudspeakers announcing: “We have photographs. We are going to make arrests.”People are terrified. From what we understand, military police are travelling around the city in the middle of the night, going into homes and picking up people. Residents living near the Shwedagon Pagoda, Burma’s most revered shrine and a flashpoint of unrest, said police swept through several dozen homes in the middle of the night, dragging away men for questioning. The troops were looking for people who took part in mass pro-democracy demonstrations which were ruthlessly crushed last week with gunfire, tear gas and baton charges.

ABSL Demonstration in Delhi India on 2nd October 2007

Statement : Special Rapporteur on situation of HR in Burma

“The Human Rights Situation in Myanmar”
Fifth Special Session Human Rights Council, 2 October 2007, Geneva

Statement by Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar,
Mr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro

Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Human Rights Council,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Colleagues and friends,

I welcome and congratulate the members of this Council for the decision to convene this “Special Session on the Human Rights Situation in Myanmar” and for engaging me in the inter-active dialogue on the serious human rights violations currently unfolding in the country.

I am shocked and saddened by the growing number of reported deaths and serious injuries suffered by protesters, including monks, and bystanders in Yangon, Mandalay and other major cities in Myanmar. I strongly condemn the use of deadly force by the security forces and call upon the Government of Myanmar to desist from such brutal measures and to cooperate in the efforts launched by the international community designed to prevent the further deterioration of the human rights situation. The recent media black-out and cutting of internet access is a further example of the intolerable and oppressive means used by the authorities. I urge the Human Rights Council to assess the current situation and request from the Government of Myanmar investigations and detailed information on the number of people killed and injured. Impunity should not prevail for flagrant violations of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I have joined the denunciation of the brutal crack-down in recent public statements with Special Procedures colleagues covering mandates on summary executions; freedom of religion; human rights defenders; freedom of expression; torture; independence of judges and lawyers as well as arbitrary detention. We are deeply concerned by the fate of thousands of peaceful demonstrators who have been arrested since the beginning of the protests over the drastic increase in prices of fuel, on 19 August 2007, and call on the authorities of Myanmar to immediately and unconditionally release the detainees and political prisoners, including the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi. The Government must provide the Human Rights Council with full account for its actions during and after the protests, including the number and conditions of detainees.

The failure of the international community to prevent the massacre following the 1988 people’s uprising causing the death of over 3000 protestors must not be repeated. The world is watching and while the time for mere words has passed, decisive action is now needed. No state can condone such actions. I therefore echo the United Nations Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' recent press statements and recall that the use of excessive force, killings, arbitrary arrest or ill-treatment of peaceful protesters is strictly prohibited under international law and could invoke individual criminal responsibility.

I welcome the access provided by the Authorities of Myanmar to the Secretary-General’s Special Advisor, Under Secretary-General Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, and hope that he will succeed in opening a space of dialogue and peaceful settlement of the brutal crackdown by the military.

Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Human Rights Council,

I applauded the courageous role played, at the risk of their lives, by women and men, student leaders, monks and the society at large in these peaceful protests. The Myanmar authorities should be proud of its vibrant civil society and engage without hesitations in a constructive and transparent dialogue with all parties so as to lay down a road map for a healthy and empowered democratic society, for the benefit of the country and the region.

There is an urgent necessity to better coordinate the different approaches among member states to find ways to contribute to the process of transition towards democracy in Myanmar. A strategic dialogue should be reached trough contacts & meetings with the Government, aiming at reconciling the army with the people of Myanmar. In particular, I urge States in the region to assist the country in upholding the principles of democracy and rule of law. I therefore welcome the solidarity of the international community and am encouraged by the expressions of deep concern issued by key international and regional actors, in line with the statement issued by the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN) urging Myanmar to desist from the use of violence against demonstrators.

Despite having not been granted access to Myanmar since November 2003, I have continued to closely follow the events in the country and to fulfill my mandate to the best of my ability based on information collected from a variety of independent and reliable sources, maintaining a positive dialogue with the Permanent Missions of Myanmar in Geneva and New York. I stand ready to conduct a mission to assess, with the support of OHCHR, the current situation in situ and report back to the President of the Council should the members so decide. I am convinced that the government of Myanmar could benefit from a more active cooperation with my mandate, insisting that my obligation to go to the public about allegations of human rights violations does not exclude a constructive and continuous dialogue with the Government. The combination of these two elements of my mandate can contribute to a new dynamic for the improvement of the situation of human rights in the country.

My forthcoming report to the General Assembly (A/62/223), which I will present at the Third Committee on 24 October 2007, enumerates the human rights concerns and includes comments provided by the Permanent Mission of Myanmar. The persecution of members of political parties in the opposition and human rights defenders shows that nowadays the road map for democracy and the laying down of principles for a new constitution by the National Convention faces many obstacles to bring a genuine transition. There will be no progress in Myanmar's political transition unless ordinary people have space to express their views and discontent, peacefully and in public. The starting point for a national reconciliation requires meaningful and inclusive dialogue from the Government with and between political representatives and ethnic groups. I therefore call for international actors, including through the Human Rights Council mechanisms, to contribute to this process.

1st October : Monks on Hunger Strike

As you can imagine the information flow from wihtin Burma has been stunted due to the crackdown by the military junta on internet and mobile phone communication so only little information is coming through. IUSY will try and post as much of this information as possible. However it is clear that know one from outside Burma is sure on what the real situation in the country at this point in time.

(Time)12.18 PM Reports emerging from Rangoon indicate that the temporary detention centres based in Yangon Institute of Technology and General Institute of Technology (GTI) is currently detaining 500 hundred monks.The monks are refusing to accept Sune (Alms food.....food offering given to monk by layperson just before 12 noon as main meal of the day) from the
military junta. The local population approached these detention centres to offer food and they have been turned away by the
authorities. Technically, the monks are unintentionally on hunger strike.

Take Action : UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Burma

The 47 member United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) on Friday decided to hold a special session on October 2 to examine the unrest in Myanmar. The call for the special session was spearheaded by the European Union. Currently informal talks are taking place to come up with a resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar.

IUSY calls on all its member organisations whose countries are members of the HRC to use October 1 to lobby your governments on the situation in Burma and urge them to adopt a strong resolution condemning the violations of human rights that have been undertaken by the military junta. Check out the website : www.ohchr.org

Please find here the text of the Statement submitted by IUSY to the UN Human Rights Council Speical Session on the situation in Myanmar(Burma). The submission was also supported by ECOSY.

A struggle for Democracy takes its toll on the Burmese people: ongoing human rights abuses and violations in Burma (Myanmar)
____________________________________________

Burma (Myanmar) has been at the mercy of a cruel military dictatorship for more than four decades and not since 1988 when it unleashed an unmitigated slaughtering of more than 3000 people in the peaceful protests that took place have we seen such an act of defiance and call for democracy, as the protests that have taken place since August 5th this year.

These protests have come from the Burmese people following years of oppression, poverty and suffering. In August the military regime doubled the price of fuel which had dire effects on all households and the poorest of the poor thus sparking protests from all corners of the country. These protests were peaceful from the beginning and have continued to be so however the junta have not shown any tolerance towards this peaceful expression of dissent to this brutal regime which has for so long ignored the needs of Burmese people and perpetuated the political and economic hardship under which they live.

Since the crackdown on protestors the junta has locked down monasteries across Burma from which protesting monks have originated from. As civilians, in particular students continue to protest they have arrested many, fired upon crowds of protestors; baton charged groups of young people, reportedly killed 13 people, placed an extensive curfew on major cities and towns and have begun shutting down both internet and mobile phone communication within and from the country. The accumulation of these actions have turned the euphoria that precipitated amongst Burmese people at the beginning of the peaceful protests to tears as blood flows on the streets of Rangoon.

IUSY has long supported the people of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, IUSY’s member organisation the All Burma Students League (ABSL) and the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) in their struggle for peace, freedom and democracy. IUSY hails the brave Burmese people who have and continue to take to the streets nationwide to demonstrate their opposition to the ruling junta and their loud call for democracy and freedom. IUSY stands firm in its support and solidarity with all progressive and democratic forces who uphold these peaceful demonstrations.

IUSY strongly condemns the criminal violence perpetrated by the military regime against innocent civilians and calls upon the Burmese generals to immediately cease these attacks, release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and respect the lives and the rights of their citizens.

IUSY firmly believes that every country within the United Nations is obliged to respect fundamental human rights including freedom from arbitrary killing or arrest, freedom from torture or cruel treatment, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The International Red Cross counts 1550 political prisoners in Burma. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) estimate that 800,000 Burmese are subject to forced labour. The ruling Burmese military junta has violated all of these rights and we vigorously condemn them for doing so.

Thus, IUSY believes that the international community must bring the military regime to account for their actions and welcomes the swift response of the UN Human Rights Council to hold a special session on the situation in Burma (Myanmar). Moreover, IUSY welcomes the visit of the UN Secretary Generals special advisor on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari and hopes that his report will be taken fully on board by all member states especially regional powers such as China.

IUSY believes that all efforts must be made to bolster actions to support the Burmese people and the democratic forces within to overcome this situation and to put in place the institutions required to build a future of democracy, peace and prosperity.

IUSY call upon the UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Burma (Myanmar) to adopt a strong resolution which:
• Recognises the peaceful and non-violent methods of protest adopted by the people of Burma.
• Condemns the violent response to these peaceful demonstrations, and the ongoing serious violations of Human Rights undertaken by the ruling military junta,
• Requests the UNHRC to give due attention to the plight of young activists in particular young women and those from minority groups, who are at the forefront of the continued peaceful demonstrations.
• Calls on the international community and all nations to take all measures necessary to prevent the Burmese regime from continuing this course of action, and implement initiatives to this end, including imposing sanctions on the military dictatorship and holding those responsible accountable for the crimes committed
• Calls upon the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and regional powers such as India and China to take the steps required to guarantee the Burmese people their fundamental rights and a rapid transition to democracy, the only guarantee of regional stability.
• Requests the UNHRC special session to consider what steps should be taken to ensure communication and information is able to flow from within Burma. The international community must monitor the situation in Burma, and find methods of overcoming the lack of media access. The world must continue to watch, and to act on behalf of the people of Burma.
• Requests the UNHRC to ensure that the report and recommendations of the UN Special adviser on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari following his visit to Burma (Myanmar) are discussed both within it and the UN Security Council. Furthermore it requests the UNHRC to ensure that it fully implements all aspects of the recommendations related to Human Rights Violations and others that are within its remit. Close co-operation is a must between both bodies to ensure maximum effect and a future for all Burmese people within a democratic and rights based framework.
Requests monitoring of the exodus of people out of Burma (Myanmar) due to the unrest, deteriorating humanitarian situation and political oppression and to take measures to ensure their safety and rights are protected under International Law. Member States should be ready to act promptly in dealing with asylum requests. Co-operation with the UNHCR should be sought to assist neighboring countries such as Thailand in dealing with a potential influx of Burmese refugees.

30th September : Protestors continue to take to the streets

(Time : 10.31am) Tayza owned Htoo company shut-downSenior General Than Shwe's right hand man business tycoon Tayza ownedHtoo trading company shut-down its operations since yesterday after giving two months salaries to its staff."After giving us two month's salary, staff were asked not to come back were told to contact the company in November.

Now, a split within Myanmar's ruling junta is seen to be emerging. Several ministers such as Aung Thaung, MaungThaung, Kyaw Hsan, Maung Oo and Thein Zaw are on Gen. Than Shwe side.Generals split between those who want to follow General Than Shwe and those who want to follow Gen. Maung Aye. According to a brigadier general, Gen. Maung Aye gave command to the military force to shoot the people protesting. But Gen. ThanShwe followers do not agree with that command. That BG also suggests the protesters should not shout slogans against the entire military force. People are peacefully protesting in Mandalay and no report of shooting as well. Detained inside monasteries in Mandalay Security forces continue to guard all the monasteries in Mandalay and impose restrictions on movement of monks, effectively barring monks from protesting." The forces have cordoned off several monasteries including Ma SoeYein and Mya Taung with barbed wires so that the monks cannot come out of the monasteries to protest. And fully armed soldiers guard the monasteries. Because of the blockade monks are heard shouting from inside.".Novices and young monks have been ordered to go back to their native places by police officials. Mandalay prisons director with two vehicles from the transport corporation department took several prisoners to a field in the foot of the Mandalay hill and asked a barber to shave off their heads.The eyewitness added that the authorities are forcing the prisoners to act as monks to create confusion and misunderstanding among the monks as well as the public so that they lose faith in the Buddhist clergy.

China in Call for Burma Restraint

Burma's closest ally, China, has made its strongest call yet for the military regime to end a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. It comes after the EU urged China to lean harder on the the ruling military. Speaking at the UN, the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said his government was hoping all sides would show restraint.

UN Envoy flies into Myanmar Maelstorm

(11:30 p.m.) Mr. Gambari, UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Burma, has reportedly arrived in Nay Pyi taw to talk with the junta leaders.To trick Mr.Gambari, UN envoy, the junta announces through their mouth-piece-media that there is a demonstration in Myitkyiinar . Actually that demonstration is a fake one for the junta wants to prove that their soldiers are not terrorist and not shooting at people and it's also the junta's plan to hide the truth of their terrorist evidences. At the same time, in Rangoon, the riot police are hitting with iron bar to any group of people whether they are demonstrators or not. After hitting violently, they arrest the people who collapse.29 Sep 07, 23:24Ko Hla: Myanmar military regime is arranging trip for Mr. Gambari to Myit-Kyi-Nar City of Kachin State which is in northern Myanmar. That news is coincided with the news received on Friday, that the regime backed USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association) is forcing people to join faked protesting to trick UN Special envoy Mr. Gambari. People around the country believe that the regime will try their best to trick Mr. Gambari to ease international pressure.

YANGON (Reuters) - A U.N. envoy flew to Myanmar on Saturday to persuade its ruling generals to use talks instead of guns to end mass protests, but the U.S. expressed concern that Ibrahim Gambari had been moved away from troubled Yangon.

As Gambari arrived in the former capital Yangon, troops and riot police manned barricades in the area from which the pro-democracy protests have reverberated around the world. Police fired warning shots to disperse 100 protesting youths.

The U.N. representative, a former Nigerian foreign minister, made no comment on arrival as he went straight on to a flight to the generals' new capital, Naypyidaw, 240 miles to the north.
"We have concerns that Mr. Gambari was swiftly moved from Rangoon (Yangon) to the new capital in the interior, far from population centers," White House National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.He urged the junta, which has ruled Myanmar for 45 years, to allow Gambari wide access to people, including religious leaders and detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi."He's the best hope we have. He is trusted on both sides," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said of Gambari. "If he fails, then the situation can become quite dreadful."Before heading to Yangon, Gambari said in Singapore he was going "to deliver a message from the secretary-general to the leadership, a message that is very much by the Security Council"."I look forward to a very fruitful visit so that I can report progress on all fronts," Channel News Asia quoted him as saying.Asked if he expected to meet Suu Kyi, Gambari said: "I expect to meet all the people that I need to meet."

29th September : Euphoria turns to tears and blood flows on the streets

As Euphoria turns to tears and blood flows on the streeets of Rangoon people in many parts of the world turned out today in a show of soldiarity with the Burmese people. Many people hope to continue such action in order to maintain international pressure on Burma's military to end its violent regime.

Deep underlying political and economic problems in Burma are the reasons for the continued protests -reasons that will not go away so easily even if the protesters are crushed off the streets temporarily.

(Time : 6.10pm) There are strong reports emerging from Burma that splits are appearing within the army and Generals.

(Time : 11.30am) The UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Burma today to

try to persuade the government to use negotiations instead of guns to end mass protests. The military regime are arranging for him to travel from Rangoon to the new Burmese capital Naypyidaw to meet with the military generals. Many human rights organisations have called for Mr. Gambari to stay in Rangoon where the majority of genuine protests have taken place so that he can really examine what is happening in Burma.

(Time : 8.45am) Last night the regime responded to the ongoing protests by not only cutting off the Internet but also mobile phone communication- the any news of continued repression and violence suppressed.

(Time : 8.30am) Troops and riot police manned barricades in the area from which the pro-democracy protests have reverberated around the world. Police fired warning shots to disperse 100 protesting youths. Small groups gathered today taunting the troops before scattering down alleys when they started to charge. In one incident, police fired warning shots to disperse 100 youths shouting slogans and waving bright red 'fighting peacock' flags. The government says it is acting with "restraint".

(Time 8.15am) News from Yangon: The military force raided 2 monasteries in TharKayTa Township last night. The soldiers raided TaYartShid Taung (108 Yard) monastery as well but the monks managed to escape. So the soldiers search the whole monastery took away 2 million Kyat of monetary-fund money.A high school student was shot down in South Oakkalapa Township yesterday. The student’s parents managed to get his body but the military searched the whole quarter and took the body by force, later.

MJS France : Promote Democracy in Burma

Press Release - September 26th 2007
At the time when military junta has started to crush down the huge range movement that is demonstrating for democracy since several days, the French Movement of Young Socialists reassert it support and it friendship with the whole democratic opposition in Burma.
As a part of « Free Burma » campaign of European Young Socialists (ECOSY), the French Movement of Young Socialists goes on involving for democracy in Burma.
The French Movement of Young Socialists reassert it support to the combat that the Peace Nobel Price Aung San Suu Kyi is leading since the quenched elections of 1990. We ask for the immediate discharge and the cancellation of all the barriers to freedom of speech and of move.
The French Movement of Young Socialists urge the European union and France to react publicly and firmly to support democracy in Burma and to open talks with the People’s Republic of China, main foreign support of Burmese regime.

Benoît CURINIER
Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes France

Take action now : Join the Worldwide Protests Saturday 29th September

On Saturday protests are being held throughout the world. IUSY urges all its member organisations to join in these protests. Consult your local/national media for details of these protests. If you have information on protests in your country post them as a comment here so that other people are made aware of the protest. If you are member of facebook, join the group 'Support the Monks Protest in Burma', you will find information on some of the protests being organised.

ACT NOW-EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY AND JOIN A PROTEST NEAR YOU !

SI stands firm with the people of Burma

The Socialist International, which has long supported the people of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy and the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) in their courageous struggle for freedom and democracy, reiterates today its firm support and solidarity with the Burmese people and with all those brave citizens who have taken to the streets nationwide to demonstrate their opposition to the ruling junta.
The Socialist International condemns unreservedly the criminal violence perpetrated by the military regime against innocent civilians with reports of many people injured and others killed. The Burmese generals should immediately stop these attacks, release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and respect the lives and the rights of their citizens.
The Socialist International urgently appeals to the international community and to all nations to take all the measures necessary to prevent the Burmese regime from continuing this course of action, and implement initiatives to this end, including imposing sanctions on the military dictatorship and holding those responsible accountable for the crimes committed.
The Socialist International salutes the Burmese people for their bravery and their dignified, peaceful resistance to this brutal regime which has for too long ignored their needs and perpetuated the political and economic hardship under which they live. Today they do not stand alone. Millions of people around the world support their demands and have made their cause their own.
The Socialist International remains ready to continue cooperating with the people and the democratic forces of Burma to overcome this difficult moment in their history and to put in place the institutions required to build the future of democracy, peace and prosperity which they so deserve.

Various updates on situation in Burma 28 September

(Time 5.21 PM) The 'government' has cut Internet access, raising fears that a deadly crackdown was set to intensify.

Update on Situation in Yangon : Crowds taunt military (time : 16.45)

Crowds taunted soldiers and police who barricaded central Yangon on Friday to prevent more mass protests against Myanmar's 45 years of military rule and deepening economic hardship.
Potentially deadly games of cat and mouse went on for hours around the barbed-wire barriers in a city terrified of a repeat of 1988, when the army killed an estimated 3,000 people in its ruthless crushing of an uprising.
Few monks were among the crowds taunting and cursing the soldiers. When the troops charged, the protesters vanished into narrow side streets, only to emerge elsewhere to renew their abuse until darkness fell and an overnight curfew loomed.
"Fuck you, army. We only want democracy," some yelled in English. Despite the visceral anger in their voices, far fewer protesters turned out in Yangon than earlier in the week.
"May the people who beat monks be struck down by lightning," others chanted in Burmese a day after soldiers ransacked 10 monasteries and carted off hundreds of the monks who filled five city blocks with their supporters on Monday and Tuesday.

Update on Situation in Rangoon (time : 13.21)

Burmese soldiers and police are baton charging small groups of protesters who are trying to gather in Rangoon. They are arresting and imprisoning monks- so far over 700 have been arrested.They have raided dozens of monasteriesWhile the regime is stating only 9 have been killed the number is far closer to 200 They have snipers on tops of buildings to pick off the leaders. We are getting reports of a massacre at a temple last night, around 200 monks may have been killed.

Key Monasteries Sealed off, US steps up pressure

1. Burma's security forces have sealed off the five main monasteries in Rangoon and declared them no-go areas to prevent anti-government protests.Troops have sealed off the key monasteries and pagodas in Rangoon, including Shwedagon and Sule pagodas - the focal point for some of the larger protests earlier in the week.

2. The US has imposed sanctions targeting Burma's military leaders and called on China, one of Burma's closest partners, to put more pressure on the country.

Number of Detained Activists on the increase

Please check out the website of the thai based NGO 'Assisted Association for Political Prisoners' which is keeping a list of activists known to be detained by the military junta since the beginning of the peaceful protests in Burma began :

http://www.aappb.org/

Military Junta tightens control on the Media

The military rulers in Rangoon have taken the offensive in the battle to control the flow of information in the country.

Websites and internet blogs posting information and photographs of the government's action have been blocked. Telephone lines and mobile phone signals to monasteries, opposition politicians and student leaders have been cut. There have also been reports that mobile phone signals and telephone lines of domestic and foreign journalists have been cut.

All this has made it more difficult for people to upload pictures of the mass protests to be picked up by international satellite news channels and beamed around the world, including back to Burma.

In a sign that the military junta is afraid of foreign radio and satellite TV coverage of the protests and the crackdown, the state-run media has begun to blame foreign media for inciting the trouble.

Wear a RED T-SHIRT today in support of the people of Burma

Support those fighting for democracy in Burma-WEAR A RED T-SHIRT TODAY !

Latest from IUSY Member Organisation ABSL on Violence in Burma

Today IUSY received the latest information from our comrades of the All Burma Students League (ABSL) :

1. Last night, army, riot police and their handpicked thugs USDA ( union solidarity and development association) raided most of the monasteries in Rangoon. Several hundreds monks had been arrested. Authorities issued a decree which restricts monks to not go out from their monasteries between 9 pm to 5 am for the next two months.

2. The worst monastery is Nge-Kyar-yan located in South Okklapa 6/7 kilometer north of Rangoon, which is home for 400/500 monks. Nobody knows what happened last night there, but people found empty houses in the morning with a pond of blood and broken statute of lord Buddha.

3. Now people dare to take step forward as they are cannot bear to see that monks have either been beaten or killed. Since 10/11 am until now there has shooting in several places in Rangoon.

ABSL Statement on Army Crackdown of Peaceful Movement of Buddhist Monks

We. ABSL strongly condemned Burmese military regime named State Peace and Development Council, SPDC, for its brutal crackdown on peaceful movement of Burmese people led by Buddhist monks, in which three monks were killed, 17 people wounded and several hundreds of people had been arrested.
We are also saddened with deep pain by this crackdown of SPDC regime which had never been happen in history of Burmese society, as faithful Buddhist Burmese held high esteem regard to the Monks and none can consider to harm or even none dare to show disrespectedful them up.
We fell disturb and hurt by the India’s inaction to prevent such treagedy mete out against Buddhist monks and people who practicing Gandhian way of nonviolent with compassion for peace and prosperity in the country, release of all the political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and national reconciliation.
It is a tragedy that the SPDC could not heed the numerous suggestion of international community and the peoples of Burma to embrace reconciliation stance, through sustainable dialogue to end the decades long conflict.
We are deeply concern over the consequences of regime’s stubbornness to hang on power may drag-down Burma into genocidal war like in Rwanda, as Sangha ( Monk Society ) issue a statement that said they are pledge to continue to fight and they are already to sacrifice, and call for people participation.
It is high time now that the international community, India and China in particular, to condemn Junta’s heinous crime and urge SPDC regime refrain from brutal and violent war to resort the crisis. We are also appeal for the UN intervention to prevent repetition of 1988 treadegy.

Kyaw Than President
All Burma Students League
(issued on 26th September 2007)

PES tells Burma-The hour of change is near, the world is watching

The Party of European Socialists joined up with the Socialist Group in the European Parliament to urge the Burmese government to seize the opportunity for peaceful change, and to warm the government against repression of the peaceful movement for change. In a joint letter to the Burmese authorities from PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Socialist Group Leader Martin Schulz, they write “We believe there is now a unique opportunity for a peaceful and orderly change in Burma. We fear that the consequences of not seizing that opportunity will be particularly harsh – especially for those who might stand in the way of change.”Their letter states “The hour of change is near. The world is watching.”“We call on the Junta to choose the wise path – and move rapidly towards a peaceful and democratic resolution of the current crisis.”But they also pledge to work for new sanctions if the regime uses violence against the protestors. “We will do all we can to ensure that violence by the regime will trigger new sanctions by the international community.”Rasmussen and Schulz highlight their “admiration and support for the brave people of Burma who are peacefully demanding democracy and justice in their country” and state that ”The images of opposition led by Buddhist monks underlines to the whole world the peaceful intent of this movement for change, and the fact that the demand for change comes from the very heart of Burmese society.”

Go to http://www.pes.org/ to read letters by the PES and the Socilaist Group in the European Parliament as well as an open letter by other Socialist responsibles

IUSY Condemns Harsh Crackdown by Burmese Military on Pro-Democracy Protestors

In the continued crackdown by the military junta on protesters in Rangoon, the military have been broadcasting warnings that they should go home or face 'serious action'.

Fresh protests which began this morning have followed reported overnight raids of six monasteries in which soldiers smashed windows and doors and beat sleeping monks. Hundreds of monks were taken away in military trucks.

Two members of the National League for Democracy the party lead by Aung San Suu Kyi were arrested last night.

Protesters poured into the streets of Rangoon today in a strong act of defiance. As they sang nationalist songs and and hurled abuse at soldiers their actions were answered with gunfire and teargas from the military. It is unclear how many deaths have taken place but it is reported that 5 people were killed yesterday and a further 9 killed today a midst the fresh clashes in Rangoon.

IUSY strongly condemns the action of the military junta to quash the peaceful protests and calls upon the junta to show restraint and work towards ensuring peace. IUSY fears that a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing thousands will become a reality if the junta does not listen to calls from world leaders including China for restraint.

IUSY welcomes the prompt response from the United Nations (UN), which held an emergency meeting yesterday in New York on the occasion of the UN General Assembly to discuss the situation in Burma. IUSY is concerned that continued actions by Russia and China within the UN are blocking stronger international action in ensuring peace and democracy in Burma. However IUSY welcomes the decision by the UN to send its special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to the region, and calls on the Burmese authorities to receive him "as soon as possible".

Burma-Forgotten Nation, Forgotten People

The IUSY Students Working Group 'Burma Campaign' calls upon all of us to lobby at every level of the political process at national, regional and international level to:
1. Take all necessary measures toward a speedy restoration of democracy in Burma
2. Demand the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi
3. Call upon the Burmese authorities to end the systematic forced displacement of persons and the flow of refugees and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries and create adequate conditions for their safe and voluntary return and complete integration, and to allow humanitarian personnel safe access to assist their return and reintegration
4. To call upon the Burmese authorities to end the continuing violations of the human rights of women, in particular forced labour, forced relocations, abuse, torture, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse in detention and summary executions, often committed by military personnel.

JS IN DE PVDA OUTRAGED BY CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BURMA

Join our action for a free Burma!

For more than nine following days, monks and other Burmese citizens have been protesting against the military junta. JS in de PvdA is very impressed by the courage of all Burmese taking part in these peaceful and very powerful demonstrations which is calling for democratic change.

The last two day the Military Junta has been trying to brutally suppress the peaceful demonstrations, with lethal consequences. We welcome the response of the International Community condemning these brutalities.

It takes a very special kind of courage when people are willing to give up all they hold dear to them, for a democratic cause that they know is still very far away and on the short term very likely only offers them a one-way ticket to prison. However, this time, everybody seems to hold his or her breath, hoping for real democratic change this time.

Started by the monks, whom are perceived highly in Burma, the demonstrations are joined by more than 100.000 people. Therefore these demonstrations are the biggest since the uprising in 1988, which was brutally struck down by military junta, killing thousands of demonstrators. This we can not allow to happen this time!

Although we welcome the initiatives of the international community the need to intervene and help demonstrators, forcing and pressuring the military junta even harder by condemning their enforcement of power, is becoming greater.

JS in de PvdA calls upon all ECOSY and IUSY member organizations to actively support the democratic movement in and for Burma. This can be done in several ways: address the situation to your party and national government or address the Burmese representation in your country. Awareness is in this case very important, help us raise it!

We have to carefully watch the ongoing demonstrations in Burma and Socialists and Social Democrats have to respond to the violence used. Like opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi inspired us to do, we have to use our freedom to promote theirs!

Please join in our common struggle for free Burma, for more information please contact Zita Schellekens: zschellekens@js.nl.

Zita Schellekens
International Secretary JS in de PvdA


Michiel Emmelkamp
President JS in de PvdA

Burmese defy army warning and March against Military Dictatorship

(IUSY Statement 25th September 2007)

Since the 15th August, protests have been sparked by actions undertaken by the ruling junta in Burma, in particular their decision to double fuel prices which have hit people hard in the impoverished nation.

On 5th September the junta injured several monks at a protest in Pakokku, apologies were not forthcoming which drew fresh protests by monks and daily marches in Burmese cities have gradually gathered in size since 18th September. On the 22nd September 1000 monks marched to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon. On the 24th September new Rangoon marches draw at least 50,000.

Several thousand monks and civilians in Burma’s main city Rangoon have defied military orders and have begun fresh anti-government protests. Earlier today lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be ‘dispersed by military force’. The protesters have been handing out pictures of Burmese independence hero Aung San, the deceased father of Aung San Suu Kyi. They are also carrying flags, including some bearing the image of a fighting peacock used by the students during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.

Students are also openly marching today as opposed to simply forming a chain and clapping on Monday. The junta which violently repressed the 1988 protests killing some 3000 people finally broke its silence over the mounting protests saying yesterday that it was ready to “take action” against the protesters.

IUSY calls on the military junta to avoid bloodshed and allow for dialogue on the basis of democracy to address the issues of the Burmese people that are marching on the country’s streets. Moreover IUSY strongly urges the junta to take this opportunity to launch a process of real political reform.

In the coming days at the UN General Assembly, many countries particularly the US will be putting pressure on Asian countries to tackle the mounting instability and political oppression in Burma. IUSY firmly believes that the UN can provide a framework that will aid Burma to make a transition through political reform to a real democracy.

China is one of the closest allies of the ruling junta in Burma, but so far it has not made a public comment about the protests there. But China will be concerned about two things: the stability of Burma and the image of China. A stable Burma is important for China, as it is a corridor to the Indian Ocean and also a valuable trading partner. So instability or even war in Burma is not in Chinas interest. But neither is a bloodily crackdown, because China is worried about its own image in the run up to the next years Beijing Olympic Games. IUSY calls on China to play a more proactive role in relation to the question of Burma and support a move to pressure the junta into political reform and allow for a return to democracy and social and economic development which will benefit all Burmese people.