Governments must insist on swift action
- Published on 12/05/2008
Leaders of Amnesty International in Asia Pacific, meeting in Hong Kong, called on their governments to use every means possible to pressure the Myanmar authorities to focus on disaster relief and facilitate international assistance to protect the rights to life, food and health of its citizens.
"Our governments, from the ASEAN countries, Japan, India, South Korea and China are best placed to influence the Myanmar authorities to lift the blockages and allow aid, expertise and materials to reach the millions now in need. Time is of the essence if lives are to be saved," said Mika Kamae, chair of Amnesty International's Asia Pacific Forum.
It is now over a week since Cyclone Nargis devastated the Irrawady delta, killing tens of thousands and leaving over a million homeless, without essential food, shelter or healthcare. A UN flash appeal has attracted millions in government donations, and many disaster relief agencies are assembled on standby in Thailand. However, the Myanmar government is still impeding such life-saving assistance. It has yet to issue sufficient visas to the three international agencies it has approached for assistance (World Vision, JICA and UNICEF).
Amnesty International believes that by deliberately blocking life-sustaining aid, the government of Myanmar may be violating the right of its citizens to life, food, and health.
"The Myanmar authorities must also give complete priority to mobilizing their own resources for disaster response. Instead, yesterday considerable government resources were tied up conducting the constitutional referendum, even in close proximity to the devastation. There can be no clearer message to the destitute about the priorities of those in power," said Milabel Cristobal, Director of the Amnesty International Hong Kong section.
Children are the most vulnerable to the after effects of natural disasters. As a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Myanmar authorities also have legal obligations to uphold their rights to life, food and health "to the maximum extent of their available resources, and where needed within the framework of international co-operation". Swift facilitation of assistance from the region is also necessary to uphold the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (2005) which Myanmar has ratified.
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Previous news on Myanmar
- Myanmar: Referendum flouts human rights
- Government must ensure appropriate aid in Myanmar
- Support for devastated Myanmar
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Comments
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
To the Burmese I say I’m so sorry for your loss
To the Junta I say Shame on you for not taking action quick enough. Your cowardly act and power hungy greediness has led to the deaths of thousands of your own people.
Tot he UN. We must take drastic action to redner this problem before it becomes even more devastating. This is an event beyond diplomacy
comment by:
Ros
24/05/2008
05:34 PM
To the Generals of Myanmar, please put your fears aside and allow people from the western countries to enter the affected areas in Myanmar. The offers 0f assistance come fron people who are well trained, experienced and highly organised. They have no ulterior motives. No-one wishes to destroy your rulership. Do not let your fears be the reason for the deaths of your own people.
comment by:
Bev Walshe
21/05/2008
08:08 PM
The world cannot stand by and let this happen. Some action must be taken on behalf of the people of Burma, no matter what the junta thinks or does. The governments of the world must act, now.
comment by:
Mardi Kendall
20/05/2008
03:36 PM
Please let us help the people of Myanmar & let the aid in!!
comment by:
Tricia Bartholomaeus
20/05/2008
02:29 PM
In times of tragedy we must realise that we are all brothers and sisters even if we do not agree on everything. Please allow the aid that the world offers to be provided to those that need it.
comment by:
Peter Flanagan
20/05/2008
11:31 AM
To The Government of Myanmar,
I implore you to allow the foreign aid agencies access to Myanmar to assist the people of Myanmar to recover from this devastating natural disaster.The International Community are ready ,willing and able to assist your people in the recovery process without political motive or interference.Allow the International Community to help to alleviate the human suffering caused by this disaster without further delay.
Yours sincerely,
Arlene Bennett
comment by:
Arlene Bennett
19/05/2008
08:44 PM
To the Burmese Junta: please forget your desire for complete power and remember to be a human being with compassion for your countrymen, women and children.
comment by:
Janice Maureen Dwyer
19/05/2008
03:49 PM
I am appalled at the lack of action that is being taken on this issue. International governments need to stand up and demand that the military regime immediately allows relief agencies to help those in need. At such a time, it is the immediate needs of the people that must be met and not the egos of the rulers.
comment by:
Veronica
19/05/2008
01:58 PM
I respectfully call on the government of Myanmar to allow foreign aid and aid workers to assist the people whose lives have been devastated by cyclone and flood. Please, care for your people; give permission for action to be taken against hunger and the likelihood of further devastation by disease. In times like these national boundaries and governmental control are much less important than our shared humanity.
I am appalled by the callousness of the Burmese military regime. I am very saddened by the thought of people whose lives have been devastated by cyclone Nargis. I send money and my heartfelt hope that you will receive aid soon.
comment by:
Gaik Khong
18/05/2008
11:07 PM
I respectfully ask the Burmese Government to care for their people, for to open the gate of kindness, friendship and love can give peace of mind to the soul and warmth to the heart. And when you are a leader of a nation to earn respect gives you strength, and when you pass into the spirit world of your God it will be remembered. Eileen Watkins
Human rights of the injured and ill in Burma must not go undefended.The Generals need to allow the ouside world to help relieve the suffering of the Burmese people.
comment by:
marianne Cannon
18/05/2008
09:09 PM
To all the people in Myanmar: my heart is always with you. The lives of people and their dignity is something we must all feel responsibile in protecting. I am hoping that the messages sent by thousands of people in the world will make a difference on pressuring the government to open its doors to those in dire need of food and shelter.
comment by:
Aylin Agis
18/05/2008
07:31 PM
Please open the doors to overseas help agencies and do what is necessary for your people, your families, your friends.
comment by:
Vera Costello
18/05/2008
01:54 PM
I call on the Burmese government to allow the rest of the world to help their people. Their action to prevent access to foreign assistance is one of the most inhumane in modern times.
comment by:
Jenny Thompson
18/05/2008
01:05 PM
We grieve for you. We feel so helpless. All most of us can do is send money, kind thoughts and prayers.
comment by:
Dorothy Leeder
18/05/2008
12:58 PM
It is reponsive that a Government would block off aid for it’s/there own people, just because they are zenofobices.
I mean look at the earthquake in China, aid workers from Japan and South Karia came to help.
I can only hope and pry that the Government in Myammar will come to their seases and let aid workers in, or if not I can only hope that aid workers can find a way in or that the Goverment in Myammar helps it’s people by itself.
comment by:
Daniel Miller
18/05/2008
10:24 AM
The political leaders of Burma have such a narrow view. Why are they so afraid to open the barriers for foreign assistance when the people they are responsible to/for are dying as a direct result of lack of timely aid? To ask for assistance is showing strength of humanity not a weakness of power. Are they so poorly educated or so poorly afraid.
comment by:
lea wiggins
18/05/2008
10:05 AM
Now the whole world sees the Myanmar government for what it is. We weep for the people of Burma.
comment by:
Lyn Bray
17/05/2008
07:05 PM
To the people of Myanmar. I was in your country this year and touched by your graciousness, friendship and hospitality. You are in my thoughts and I wish sincerely that aid will arrive and relieve will come soon.
comment by:
Ans Varga
17/05/2008
06:40 PM
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