Burma is an international pariah, currently only equalled by Zimbabwe and The Sudan for human rights violations/atrocities.  Quite how the “ruling” military junta can live with themselves in the knowledge as to what they are doing to the innocent, to monks, to women, to children and to Aung San Suu Kyi - the popularly elected and rightful head of government - is beyond any form of rational comprehension.  Is it really worth - quite literally - all the blood, sweat and tears just to retain an illegal and morally unconscionable regime for the generals?  And what will the UN actually do about it?  I can’t help thinking that the generals have help from abroad.  But for how long?  We all saw what happened in South Africa, in East Timor and in the former Soviet Union, just to name a few.  Generals, you are on notice…

BRISBANE ACTION: FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER

Starting 1pm, Queens Park, organised by the Burmese community.  Speakers include Andrew Boe and possibly Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, among others. The focus will be on the UN role in this issue and the need to respect the rights of the Burmese people to peacefully assemble and express their opinion.

Amnesty QLD/NNSW is supporting this event and will have a stall with information as well as letters that we need people to sign - we will post them for you, to the Myanmar Embassy in Canberra.

Thanks for your support - please spread the word.  See you there!!!

And what about the folks from that country who were lucky enough to escape and found their way into the Australian off shore psychiatric institutions on Nauru Island and other places because they didnt join a non-existent queue.
If our leaders have such strong views about the Myanmar Government surely it is not too much to ask to let those people come and stay with friendly supportive Australians until their Visa status is determined. By the time they have languished in detention they will eventually be only able to access mental health facilities rather than be productive memebers of a new country.
I feel sure that enough families will rise to the occasion and ensure that they can support such individuals and family groups in a way that demonstrates the real values of Australian society with justice and a fair go for all regardless of ethnic or political or religious accidents of birth.

I feel very strongly about overthrowing the military regime in Myanmar. Having visited there in 2004 with my children I know what a peaceful nation it would be.They need our support so the conflict does not esculate into violence which would possibly be one sided aginst the people.

Help Myanmar to become a true Democracy and give the people the freedom that we in ‘the West’ take for granted.

Where are the Security Council actions? Why are the big powers mouthing condemnations without sanctions, etc? Once again, a military junta that has international capitalism backing it gets away with murder. This is economic rationalism gone mad! People are dying for democracy and our leaders debate it.

Hi everyone,

Don’t forget that this is a forum so if you want to include your name or comments to Amnesty’s letters to the Myanmar Government you can log in to the action centre urgently.

Or you can email the Embassy direct: Mr Aung Soe WIN <mecanberra@bigpond.com>

Our Government was happy to deploy troops to Iraq, why wont they help the people of Burma

Please allow these people their freedom of speech killing them will only cause your country to be boycotted and the rest of the world is watching. Think about the consequences of your actions

I strongly support the peaceful protests of the people of Myanmar and their longing for human rights, justice and democracy in their ocuntry.They have been waiting for a long time and should not have to waitlonger.

Protesters in Myanmar should be allowed to exercise their democratic right to protest peacefully.  I would like to add my voice to the condemnation of the violent crackdown on the protesters by the military junta.

I wish to add my support for the Burmese people who have suffered too long under illegal and corrupt military rule - with all the hubris and hype about “defending democracy”, where have our own leaders been for the past 19 years following the overthrow of democracy in Burma? That election mandate for democracy was of a size that western politicians can only dream about. World leaders must find a way to help the people of Burma realise their right to self-determination.

I was unable to attend the protest rally but have signed a recent petition on this isssue

“Support the Monks’ Protest in Burma” reports:

“*--URGENT UPDATE--*
We still have live contacts in Burma. We are getting reports of a massacre at a temple last night, around 200 monks killed. More to follow.

They are arresting and imprisoning monks- so far over 700 have been arrested.
They have raided dozens of monasteries
While 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 of the leaders
They are trying to suppress the violence.
We MUST protest! “

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24957770200 (this is a phenominal facebooks group that now has over 90,000 members - a real show of solidarity)

No government can ever thought legitimate when it is afraid to give the citizens the right to free speech. It is well past the time for the junta of Myanmar to step down and allow the democratically elected government to govern.

My family would like to call on the authorities to ensure that all people in Myanmar are able to peacefully exercise the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly without fear of harassment, intimidation or arbitrary detention, in line with international human rights standards.

No matter how lax the democratic institutions may be in the West (corrupt elections, dodgy fund raising etc) the basic principal of freedom is the democratic right to choose. The Junta in Myanmar have held on to their illegal status for far too long since the free and fair elections were last held in the country. We are quick to invade a sovereign state with the premise of “Weapons of Mass Destruction” can we now focus our energies of those “People of Mass Destruction” that sully this wrold with their presence. I.e The Myanmar Junta, R.Mugabe, North Korea et al. Long may the bravery of the People of Myanmar and all good people of God’s green who have the inate spine to stand erect for what is just, true and right....the right to choose. Choose life. In’shalla.

P.S. I noticed there’s many people that can’t make rallies and you’ve requested info on how else to act - if you go to the “act now” section at the top of this page or to action.amnesty.org.au you can follow the links and get sample letters to email to the Myanmar Embassy in Canberra.  You can also view http://action.amnesty.org.au/centre/action/fear_for_arrested_burmese_activists/.  Our letters that were signed at demonstrations around the country are also going to the Embassy. 

Alternatively you can write your own and send to: Aung San Soe Win, Charge d’ Affaires, Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, 22 Arkana Street Yarralumla ACT 2600 or fax 02 6273 3181 OR emaik mecanberra@bigpond.com.

Also keep up the pressure on your local Members for Parliament and Senators.  Thanks for your support!