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Canadians Support the Saffron Revolution in Myanmar
Since things first started to heat up in Myanmar (formerly Burma) Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) has been actively supporting the saffron revolution. On Tuesday the group held a candle light vigil in front of Parliament Hill in support of the peaceful demonstrations occurring in Burma and to denounce the crackdown by the ruling military regime. They have been there every evening since and vow to continue the candle light vigils until some positive changes occur in Myanmar. On Saturday many Friends of Burma groups throughout North America held events to support the cries for democracy in Myanmar. In Ottawa, 100 plus members of CFOB held a rally at the Human Rights monument on Elgin Street. Tin Maung Htoo, Executive Director of CFOB made it clear that he wants China to stop supporting the military junta. "Myanmar survives because of China's support. The army receives weapons and training from China. The government spends 40% of its budget on the military and only 2% on health." Skyrocketing inflation coupled with the low incomes of the majority of people in Myanmar have made it increasingly difficult to live. The situation is even more severe than it was in 1988 when the last democracy demonstrations occurred. "Some people can't afford even one meal a day. The middle class is all but wiped out so now there are only the very rich and the very poor." When asked what is the impetus for people to risk their lives for freedom and democracy Htoo indicated that the lack of fundamental human rights, disrespect for the 1990 election, and economic hardship coupled with repression have pushed people to the brink. "This is a second chance for people to get out from under military rule. Now, the international community is showing support for the people." David Kilgour, former parliamentarian and human rights activist, said, "In addition to the 'Genocide Olympics' in respect of Darfur, and the 'Bloody Harvest Games' because of its treatment of Falun Gong Practitioners, the world now has the 'Burma Junta Olympics' to ponder in deciding if it really wants to attend those games. What else will arise between now and next August?"
The group marched to the Chinese Embassy where Htoo said that the CFOB wants China to "be a good neighbour, don't interfere in our internal affairs, and don't support the military dictatorship. Free Aung San Suu Kyi so she can take her rightful place as a democratically elected leader." Salai Bawilian, a Friends of Burma member from San Francisco said, "We ask the Chinese government to do something positive in Burma. Your support and arms are propping up this regime. What we want is peace; what we want is prosperity; what we want is human rights. The opposition democracy is ready and able to rule the country." Mr. Kilgour spoke about the need to get on the Internet and let people all over the world know what is happening in Burma, and to communicate with MPs. "Together we can make a difference for the people of Burma—we've got to do it for Burma." When asked how significant it was for the Buddhist monks to be leading the democracy protests, Ms. Lynette Monteiro said, "We live and we act out of our cultural beliefs and the culture is grounded in Buddhism. In Theravadin Buddhism all monks are advisors in all aspects of life. Monks only spoke up before about religious issues. The principle of 'engaged Buddhism' has led monks to stand up for injustices and to be less pacifist. [Thus,] people know that pressing for democracy is the right thing to do." Mr. Richard Weeks, founding member of CFOB, said, "China is the one country that exercises significant influence on the Burmese government. The trouble with Western countries is that they have never been willing to risk their trade relations with China." Unfortunately, China's influence has not been in the best interests of the Burmese citizens. It has repeatedly blocked UN resolutions to investigate human rights abuses in Burma. However, the UN Security Council finally put Burma on its formal agenda late last year.
When talking with this reporter Htoo said he would like to see the UN Security Council intervene and help the unarmed citizens in Burma appeal for democracy without having to risk their lives. "It is time for Canada to do something other than what they have in the past—not time for making statements—it is the time for diplomatic actions like expelling the Burmese embassy staff from Canada as they represent the military junta who are illegally running the country." He would also like to see Canada ban all investment in Burma. Although Canada does not allow exports to Burma it does allow importation of goods from Burma. Any trade with Burma is money that can be used by the military. Htoo calls on the Canadian government "to take at look at SEMA (Special Economic Measures Act) as it is currently too restrictive for Canada to set up meaningful On Friday, October 5, CFOB and Cinema Politica will be showing Burma: Total Denial, a 2006 documentary about the building of a gas pipeline from offshore gas fields through Burma to Thailand. Fifteen Karen villagers went to court seeking legal redress for being forced at gunpoint to work on the pipeline. After the film Toe Kyi, student activist during Burma's 1988 uprising and former Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience and Tin Muang Htoo, also a student activist and Executive Director of CFOB will hold a question and answer session about the current situation in Burma. Location: MacDonald Hall Auditorium, 50 Louis Pasteur St. University of Ottawa starting at 7 p.m. |
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