Kim Mclauchlan
28 September 2007, 04:51PM

I am disgusted by the torture and death of innocent people by the Burmese Junta. It must be stopped by global political pressure in the name of humanity!

Brendan Davis-Gibbons
28 September 2007, 04:32PM

I hope Burma becomes a Democracy soon. Thanks for making it easy to help Amnesty.

Lilian Ough
28 September 2007, 03:53PM

For all you wonderful people who didn’t know about the rally yesterday, sorry about the late news as I had requested the info be made known ASAP. As you saw, there will be another one TODAY 5pm at Reddacliffe Place.  News has been spreading around since last night.

Please wear brown, maroon or saffron clothing, bring signage, wear Amnesty shirts etc.  All citizens have a right to express their opinions peacefully and the government is obliged to respect this right.

We must remember that Amnesty is independent and a lot of the other movements present religious or political views.  We take our independence very seriously as this is the basis for much of our credibility, but QLD is working with other organisations.

It is great to see the response here and I hope you’ll be coming tonight!

Lilian Ough
QLD/NNSW Vice President

Tonje Akerholt
28 September 2007, 02:08PM

Governments around the world need to condemn these horrific actions!

elizabeth Wright
28 September 2007, 01:08PM

I am appauled at the way the military government of Burma have handled the situation in the country.  Nothing is gained by violence.  Why do we have to see the peaceful challenges to a governments authority being met with such violence. Perhapse it is that the people are showing courage. The military will not win anything by this.  The people have a right to protest. We continue to trade with the countries who espouse this violence and will not stand up for the rights of people. Surely sanctions can be brought against them as well.  We are not so innocent.  Perhapse we can refuse to buy products from Russia and Chins.  Hust like we refused to buy from French companies after the Rainbow Warrier bombing.  As I live in country NSW, I can not make the demonstrations, but my thoughts are with you.

Natasha Lutes
28 September 2007, 10:38AM

QLD Protest - organised by Green Left but set to include AI, Oxfam and other local groups.

Friday 28th from 5pm in Brisbane Square (the area outside the new library/council buildings).

Please join, bring signs & bring friends!  Tell the media!

http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=24957770200
In other news, Facebook has been censoring members of the above group - i.e., threatening to ban them for posting up news as-it-happens from sources in the protests.  Please contact facebook to express your dismay at this line of action.

Amanda Hood
28 September 2007, 09:33AM

True peace can only come with equal rights and justice.

Anna-Lena Moore
28 September 2007, 08:01AM

Stop the violence in Burma - free Aung San Suu Kyi and allow Burma to be a peaceful and democratic country. Let us not forget our neighbours - make your voice heard.

Michael Murray
28 September 2007, 12:26AM

I remember with great fondness the warm and generous people of Burma from my visit there in 1983.
I applaud the courage of the Burmese people in maintaining their peaceful protest against the corrupt and tyrannical military government, despite the daily intimidation they face.
China is the key to applying international pressure on this failing regime. Australia can play its part by demanding that our most important trading partner assumes a more critical response to the atrocities in Burma.
Let’s hope that our new Labor government will take a more responsible position with regard to these vital matters of human rights.

Johanna Stratton
28 September 2007, 12:24AM

I’m making a sincere request for AI Australia to combine their activism with other organizations that are organizing rallies / candlelight vigils etc for the same cause (and vice-versa).

Today 27/9, the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma held an action in Martin Place at 12.30, and then Amnesty held one at 5pm also in Martin Place.

The more the better, some may say...but it would be great to coordinate this action for next week Thurs 4 October in Sydney’s Martin Place.

The more numbers, the greater the impact, I reckon. Let’s keep Burma in the Australian news headlines (rather than say 1100 women in bikinis on Bondi beach per Wed 26 Sydney Morning Herald online headlines)

For a city of 4 million...surely we can get 4000 people on the streets in support of Burma?

Philippa Duell-Piening
27 September 2007, 11:23PM

For those in Melbourne:

“The Burmese Ethnic Nationalities Council will protest against the military crackdown outside Melbourne Town Hall tomorrow at 5pm and march to the State Library.” The Age 27/9/07

This is an article about todays rallies:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/this-is-a-time-for-action/2007/09/27/1190486480142.html

Karen Chin
27 September 2007, 11:14PM

I didn’t know about this evening’s demonstration. Will others be held?

Please let us know what else can be done to help.

anthony Murray
27 September 2007, 07:22PM

Interesting how long this situation is allowed to continue. It has gone on for decades with the consent of the Americans and the french who have a vested interest in keeping the current military junata in power for a number of reasons. Isnt washington sopposed to be the champion of free speech and democracy ? The world is wasiting for action. I wonder if we will be disappointed again ? I hope not.

Karen Meleng
27 September 2007, 06:12PM

Even though the world is watching , I fear the worst for the people of Burma..........

Ed Morcom
27 September 2007, 06:03PM

I went to Burma in 1977 and even then the military regime ran the country with a campaign of fear. I have two Friends in Burma who are schoolteachers and they were in hiding at that time from the military because of their political beliefs.

janine
27 September 2007, 05:59PM

i only just found about the protest, too late to make it unfortunately!

what can we do over the next days and weeks to help support these very brave people?

Natasha Lutes
27 September 2007, 05:32PM

Reports from the Burmese Blogs:

We have just received word that the military has started handing out 10,000 kyats and sets of monks’ robes to their Swann-Arr-Shin (the hired thugs, basically). They are commanding them to dress up as monks and attack various mosques around the country.

This tactic is intended as an act of diversion, and has been employed by the military before. Please notify everyone that if such attacks do happen, they are not done by real monks! This is urgent!

Amnesty, please spread this message!  I thought this would be the best forum for this as you have all the press links.

Tracey Foley
27 September 2007, 05:20PM

The western world must lead by example… stop supporting violent regimes, stop trading with violent regimes.

Rose
27 September 2007, 04:36PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today (26 Sept, US time) he is sending his Special Envoy dealing with Myanmar to the region in response to the deteriorating situation.
Myanmar’s Government has not yet accepted the mission.

<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=23992&Cr=myanmar&Cr1;=#>

Eric Moxham
27 September 2007, 03:51PM

Irene Khan is right - a high level UNSC mission to Myanmar is needed urgently. The chief stumbling blocks are China and Russia, neither of which will condone
“interference” by countries espousing Western ideas of human rights. Thus, sanctions against the military junta are severely weakened if not made totally ineffective. A regime which refused to accept the result of free and fair elections that clearly demanded a democratic government in 1990, is not likely to give in until ALL the major powers are united against them. Meanwhile, we happily trade with China and Russia and make no demands in return in the area of human rights. It seems hopeless, but we must go on trying if we’re to keep faith with Aung San Suu Kyi, the many political prisoners and the enslaved population. Protest is essential.