Burma: Repression Of Democracy S.O.P.

Burma: Repression Of Democracy S.O.P.

 In Burma, a Southeast Asian nation best known for its place in World war 2, has a military dictatorship that is at best brutal at its worse Hell on earth. A brave woman, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been on house arrest for lamost 12 years by this government simply because she is an outspoken supporter of democracy.

Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world. This dictatorship was charged by the UN with a “crime against humanity” for its continuous & systematic abuse of human rights. It was condemned internationally for refusing to transfer power to the legally elected Government of the country , the party led by Nobel Peace Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Burma Campaign UK is part of a global movement campaigning for human rights and democracy in Burma. Our campaigns aim to increase economic pressure on the regime by discouraging investment and tourism. We lobby the UK government and the European Union to increase political pressure on the regime. The Burma Campaign UK is the only national organisation in the UK dedicated to campaigning for human rights and democracy in Burma.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s Detention Extended Again

25 May 2007

Burma’s brutal military dictatorship today defied calls from the UN, USA, EU and ASEAN to release Aung San Suu Kyi, instead extending her detention under house arrest. Her latest period of detention was due to expire on May 27th. As of today Aung San Suu Kyi has spent a total of 11 years and 213 days in detention. Last week, 59 world political leaders including former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and former US President Bill Clinton, wrote to Than Shwe, the dictator of Burma, calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

“The regime is confident it can defy the international community without any negative consequences,” said Mark Farmaner, Acting Director of the Burma Campaign UK. "They are having a good year. A Security Council resolution was vetoed, the EU rolled over its Common Position on Burma without taking any stronger measures, the Human Rights Council failed to act, and the ILO deferred a decision on a referral to the International Court of Justice. The international community is all huff and no puff, so it is ignored.”

The UN has been dithering again for the past few months, but has finally reappointed Ibrahim Gambari as envoy to the country. No date has been set for him to visit the country, despite an invitation from the regime.

“An important first step would be for the UN envoy to visit Burma in the next few weeks and report back to the Security Council,” said Mark Farmaner. “The UN must start engaging in serious diplomatic initiatives, and the regime given a message that it cannot act with impunity.”

 <Article Truncated>

For more information contact:
Mark Farmaner, Acting Director, Burma Campaign UK, by phone at: 0207 324 4713.

Read the entire article here:   http://burmacampaign.org.uk/aungsansuukyi.php