Governments must insist on swift action
12 May 2008, 10:46AM
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 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.
marvin mac
17 May 2008, 06:30PM
I believe that it is atrocious that the Myanmar leaders will not let the world help distribute the relief supplies that are standing on the borders of their country. This action borders on crimes against humanity, their own people. Deplorable!!!!!
Jean Hart
17 May 2008, 06:24PM
To the suffering people of Burma who have lost loved ones and discomforted, hungry, in pain or homeless - may your government faithfully channel the world’s concerns & goodwill offerings to you.
Sue Williamson
17 May 2008, 05:55PM
I cannot believe that any government could be so uncaring about its people, and in the face of all the pleas from people and governments around the world. It is incredibly sad, and we feel so helpless in being able to help.
I think the UN should be threatening to take the Junta leaders to an international tribunal because this has become a criminal act of neglect. In the meantime we pray for all the ordinary people of Burma, and those trying to help the victims.
Sue Morrison
17 May 2008, 04:18PM
The actions of the Burmese junta stand in stark contrast to the decency and humanity of most Australians. Even the youngest members of our society can see that saving human lives must be placed ahead of dubious political imperatives.
The children at my local primary school have decided to donate the proceeds from a special canteen fundraiser towards UNICEF to assist with cyclone relief. They will be very disappointed if the actions of a misguided few result in the needless death of many thousands of Burmese people.
Richard Pidgeon
17 May 2008, 03:23PM
Many Christian churches throughout Australia are making a special appeal for all who are suffering so grievously in Myanmar. We can only hope and pray that the relief agencies will be permitted to reach those in intense need. How can we stand apart and do nothing?
david
17 May 2008, 02:58PM
Goverments and Business (where possible eg energy) must pressure the Mayanmar Generals, though, support for the people through Amnesty etc is essential as eventually the people must rise up. “The ends justifies the means” approach may be quick but more deaths does not transgress us from animals.
Marilyn Irons
17 May 2008, 10:44AM
May the actions of the non elected government during this disaster cause the people to rise up and defeat these callous masters for good.
Nobody has the right to withdraw aid and comfort during any type of disaster
Natalina
16 May 2008, 10:59PM
The people of Burma need to be heard, they need to be helped.. they have been in my thoughts and prayers for many years- their hardships that have been silenced, the pain they have suffered under a military regime all the while so many did not know...but now action and aid is needed more than anything! We are doing all that we are legally able to do but we can only urge the government of Burma to please let aid get through to the people! Swallow your pride and look at what the Burmese people need… the lives lost cannot be gained again but those who survived can be saved- its not too late Burma- one can only hope that there will be light at the end of the tunnel… we are trying Burma! You will NOT be forgotten about…
Hong Eng England
16 May 2008, 10:21PM
My heart goes out to Myanmar…
Especially Ariya Maggin’s monks and Dhamma protectors, Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha’s monks, nuns & Daw Khim Thay, Daw Khim Win.......... I am transferring all the merits of my daily Dhamma practice to u all!
maryellen flynn
16 May 2008, 09:52PM
the people of myanmar will never be forgotten, they are in my thoughts and prayers always.
Carolyn Poon
16 May 2008, 09:35PM
To the people of Myanmar. Many of us are thinking of you. Each and every person’s life is precious. The people of the world must not be allowed to forget the tragedy that has befallen you so recently nor can we be complicit in the failure to properly respond to your plight this very day.
Anthony Lark
16 May 2008, 09:28PM
Historically, attempts to maintain power at greater cost to the general populus rarely work. For the Burmese Government there is nothing to achieve by blocking aid from other countries; allow aid through for the benifit of your citizens and for any of the waning credibility of your rule to be maintained.
mary condon
16 May 2008, 09:25PM
Please allow humanitarian aid to reach the people affected by the cyclone and flooding.
Mary Condon
BARBARA MINOGUE
16 May 2008, 07:18PM
My thoughts and prayers are constantly with you. I thank God for those who are risking their lives to help.
David
16 May 2008, 05:35PM
We grieve for you. We feel so helpless. All most of us can do is send money, kind thoughts and prayers. But this evil will cease, and the time of the generals honouring themselves will come to an end. Evil will be swallowed up in good.
Bill Vistarini
16 May 2008, 04:55PM
I have visited and worked in Burmna. I have worked with Burmese people in other parts of Asia and Australia. Fine people! I still do not understand what this nation has done to deserve a military clique which so blatantly and consistently puts its own interests and pleasures ahead of its own people. How is it that our government can support a so-called struggle for democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq and cannot vociferously support, at the very least, the isolation of the Burmese generals? Our ASEAN neighbours are guilty in that they will not condemn the actions of this Burmese clique. find57
Roxanne Pollin
16 May 2008, 04:05PM
Politics and the power that is afforded to leaders who ignore the fundamental human rights of world citizens, especially those tragically devastated by natural disasters, is more than simply - disgraceful. To the people of Myanmar, in dire need of assistance, I hope that your leaders will rise above their prejudice and allow the international aid agencies in to help - to ease any further suffering to your people. Beyond control and rule, the essence of dignified leadership is in how a nation cares for its people in times of crisis. The world is watching, and you are part of this world.
Jenny Templin
16 May 2008, 02:31PM
The world WANTS TO HELP you Burma in your hour of need. Look at your neighbour, China, openly asking for assistance as they also face enormous tragedy and loss.
This is not a time for pride or fear of foreign influence! All the world wants to do is HELP the millions of innocent citizens who live in your country and who are suffering so much now. PLEASE let us do so!! Your inhumanity in refusing help for your own people will have serious future repurcussions.
Robert Hart
16 May 2008, 02:05PM
Spend money allocated to the war machine on humanitarian relief. This is a better weapon against terror thsn military deaath and destruction.
Neidra Smith
16 May 2008, 01:54PM
People of Myanmar, you are not forgotten. Our hearts break with yours…
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