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.
Take action
Previous news on Myanmar
- Myanmar: Referendum flouts human rights
- Government must ensure appropriate aid in Myanmar
- Support for devastated Myanmar
Express your message of support for the people of Myanmar in the comments field below:
By Category
By month
Make an impact
You can make a difference right now. Your action will help shine the light of hope into people's lives across the world.
Check out what 4910 people are doing right now to support human rights.
Stay Informed
Get Involved
Amnesty International relies on your support to continue our vital work protecting human rights. Please help us keep governments accountable, bring the guilty to justice, and save lives.
Sitewide information
- Copyright © Amnesty International Australia
- ABN: 640 0280 6233
- Phone: 1300 300 920
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.
Michael Greenwood
16 May 2008, 01:52PM
Like all of us here I feel for the people of Myanmar and the cruelties of fate they endure. Suffering the horror of a natural disaster like Nargis is one thing: to have it increased by odious thugs is utterly another and to then have the world spotlight displaced by calamity elsewhere is harsh irony. The gangsters in Rangoon -endlessly indulged by world governments- must have quietly celebrated the Chinese tragedy. Shame on them, shame on their silent accomplices. Thanks to all who speak against such darkness.
{logged_in_screen_name}
16 May 2008, 01:47PM
Every International effort must be pursued by the Australian Govt to have the Myanmar regime work in the interests of the people.
Eileen Grichting
16 May 2008, 01:19PM
I have read the Junta in Myanmar has placed relief food, medicines etc. in gov’t warehouses and is not distributing it. Is this true?
If so, one wonders what can be done short of military force,… and milary force would create many more problems than it would solve.
Lauren Bradberry
16 May 2008, 12:00PM
How can the Government of Myanmar be so uncaring towards their own people? Have they no compassion? Please allow aid in to those who so desperately need it! Heaven help you. Heaven help you all.
Gay Graham
16 May 2008, 11:42AM
For years we have been aware of the inhumane and undemocratic actions of the junta in Burma, but this has really been exemplified for all the world to see, by their response to the recent tragedy in their country. That they could a) continue with their rigged referendum and b) stockpile the little aid which they’re allowing into the country and c) refuse aid in some instances beggars belief. The people of Burma are at grave risk of death due to the cruel inaction of their government and the time has long past for the UN and world countries to take strong action to redress the situation in Burma.
ursula nixon
16 May 2008, 11:12AM
I have twice travelled in Burma and have memories of a wonderful people, gracious and humane, in contrast to their appalling junta. Sadly, I cannot see the generals relenting and allowing experienced aid workers in to organise relief and ensure that aid does not benefit the oppressive elite. Sadly, too, international pressure does not appear to register with the criminal government in Burma.
pdpjones
16 May 2008, 10:01AM
Having been to Burma twice, I can only but express my hope that this monstrous regime will show true Buddhist compassion and allow in the aid and teams who can help, no easy task in an area where there is little infrastructure and the Burmese military is clearly not trained to cope.
judie
16 May 2008, 09:57AM
Living outside Burma, I can only urge the present regime to accept as much help as possible so that the people under your care can be helped as quickly and professionally as possible.
Sue
16 May 2008, 09:15AM
My thoughts go out to the people of Myanmar. This natural disaster has highlighted the plight of the people in an oh too brutal way. Please lets continue to work to help bring aid and long term relief to the Burmese.
Megan
16 May 2008, 08:35AM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Myanamar. We acknowledge and see your courage. I hope the UN steps in to put a stop to the military’s hold on these people. How can any other human prevent aide getting to those in need. It is a moral tragedy and just appaling. Lets not stand by and repeat history. The Military will only get away with the evil, while good men stand around and do nothing.
mike schell
16 May 2008, 06:50AM
It seems that there are certain “dictators” who warrant intervention - the others merrily continue on their way abusing human rights and receiving “naughty naughty” calls from the rest of the world. We stood by and watched PolPot wreak havoc, the genocide in Rwanda take place over 100 days are we again going to stand by and “tut tut”? When good people do nothing..........
maryellen flynn
16 May 2008, 03:17AM
my thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Myanamar,
they hav been through enough, so please give them a fair go and put a stop to the violence in Myanma.
Nathalie Daguet
16 May 2008, 02:12AM
Genocide by neglect seems an appropriate formula.
I appeal the the government of Myanmar to respond to the desperate needs of its people by allowing humanitarian help into the country.
Barry dickson
16 May 2008, 01:21AM
I have the greatest respect and admiration for the people of Myanmar—for years they have peacefully stood strong against this brutal regime and endured torture and poverty. Surely they have suffered enough. Humanity has an obligation to unite in assisting these courageous people even if we need to opose their brutal persecutors to do so.
sonia_goldie
16 May 2008, 12:41AM
The brutal military regime has been systematically abusing the human rights of its own citizens since it came to power. Denying the people the right to health, the right to life, is another severe abuse of human rights. Sanctions only hurt the poor, they hardly affect the regime. Aid will barely help the people, the Junta are already pilfering most of it for themselves. It’s time for the UN and other countries, to take real action, and to hold the Junta responsible for their crimes. And to make sure the aid gets to the people who need it most.
Jane Robertson
16 May 2008, 12:33AM
I send my heartfelt love to the people of Myanmar - to the people who suffer I cannot begin to imagine your pain - the inhumanity of your government that neglects you I condemn, they are in need of love for they have none. This tragic and apauling situation is one that needs the world to respond to, these despots are as pathetic as they are dangerous and this situation is one that needs swift action from the international community to demonstrate that human beings cannot yet again be sacrificed in the name of god knows what. It is these weak governments that are the most dangerous there is surely something that can be done. I feel so very sad.
Joe Castley
16 May 2008, 12:29AM
Can the generals show the world that they have any humanity at all? Refusing to let the world help their cruelly suffering people and concentrating only on their own political agenda convinces the world that they are as stupid as they are inhuman.
Tom & Robin Errey
16 May 2008, 12:14AM
We grieve for all the people of Myanmar, and appeal to the Myanmar government to put aside stubborn pride and fear and urgently - very urgently - reach out to those suffering and dying. The international community wants to share the huge task of rescuing and rebuilding with you - this is far more than one government can accomplish!
Rosie Bookallil
15 May 2008, 11:54PM
I can only continue to send love and light to all of you who are living in conditions that I cannot begin to imagine, and hope that your suffering will come to an end, and that you will be aided and supported through what must be absolute desolation
anitaull
15 May 2008, 11:02PM
The inaction of the Burmese military junta is a criminal act. The UN must take an even stronger stand.
Page 3 of 7 pages « First < 1 2 3 4 5 > Last »