Search this site powered by FreeFind

Quick Link

for your convenience!

Human Rights, Youth Voices etc.

click here


 

For Information Concerning the Crisis in Darfur

click here


 

Northern Uganda Crisis

click here


 

 Whistleblowers Need Protection

 

 

Worldwide Burma protests expected

Worldwide Burma protests expected

BBC News, October 6, 2007

Burma protesters
Monks have been arrested after protests in Burma
Campaigners are to gather in more than 30 cities worldwide to demonstrate against the suppression of the anti-government protests in Burma.

People are to wear red headbands in solidarity with the Buddhist monks who are demanding an end to the military regime in the country.

In London demonstrators will tie headbands to the Downing Street gates before a rally in Trafalgar Square.

At least 10 people were killed in the military's response to the protests.

Show of solidarity

The central London demonstration will involve a march from the Tate Britain gallery to a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Events are also taking place in Edinburgh and Glasgow, including a candle-lit vigil at a tree planted in honour of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Edinburgh in 2005.

Myo Thein, of the Burma Campaign UK which is organising the London event, said: "The events in London are designed to show the people of Burma that we stand with them and the generals that we are watching their every move.

"We also hope the protests will force the UK government to do more to demand an end to the military crackdown and get the UN Security Council to act."

Demonstrations are scheduled to take place at noon local time in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and the US.

European businesses must not be allowed to wash their hands of responsibility for what their trading allows the Burmese junta to do
Brendan Barber
UK Trades Union Congress

Red headbands will be tied onto government buildings, religious shrines or key landmarks.

In the UK the Trades Union Congress called on European Union leaders to make it illegal for companies in Europe to invest or trade in goods from Burma.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "It's time to ratchet up the pressure on Burma's brutal dictatorship.

"Burmese trade unionists have asked us to boycott Burma because of the absence of democracy, the existence of systematic child labour and the flagrant abuse of human rights.

"European businesses must not be allowed to wash their hands of responsibility for what their trading allows the Burmese junta to do."

Monks 'released'

The demonstrations will mark 20 days since monks first took to the streets to lead protests against the military rulers.

BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - were rounded up for interrogation following the protests.

The Burmese ambassador to the UN, Kyaw Tint Swe, said 2,095 people had now been released including 722 monks.

UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has briefed the UN Security Council after a four-day visit to Burma, where he met senior generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Home Books Photo Gallery About David Survey Results Useful Links Submit Feedback