For information on Burmese Events in the UK please see:
http://burmeseeventsintheuk.wordpress.com
http://88newgenerationstudents-uk.blogspot.com 88 New Generation Students UK (New website)
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/public-events/all-events Burma Campaign UK
http://www.bdmauk.org.uk Burmese Democracy Movement Association
http://www.bdcburma.org Burma Democratic Concern
http://www.nldlauk.org National League for Democracy Liberated Area (UK)
http://b-m-a.org Burmese Muslim Association
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11780 Amnesty UK Burma Events
http://www.csw.org.uk/changeforburma.htm Christian Solidarity Worldwide
http://www.totaloutofburma.org
January
Burma Soldier Film (Showing on Current TV channel in UK in January 2012)
A rare glimpse of a brutal dictatorship seen through the eyes of a brave former soldier who, quite literally, swapped sides. Through his story, we witness the struggles of a nation.
Burma Soldier Film in Burmese is available for free download or streaming here:
http://vimeo.com/21435257
A recent message to fellow soldiers from Myo Myint "Burma Soldier"
http://vimeo.com/32036445 (in Burmese)
http://vimeo.com/32037933 (in English)
DOCUMENTARY: Burma Soldier
On: Current TV (Channel 183 on Sky Satellite TV in UK)
Date: Thursday 12th January 2012 Time: 21:00 to 22:00
Date: Friday 13th January 2012 Time: 01:00 to 02:00
Date: Monday 16th January 2012 Time: 21:00 to 22:00
Date: Tuesday 17th January 2012 Time: 01:00 to 02:00
Date: Monday 23rd January 2012 Time: 21:00 to 22:00
Date: Tuesday 24th January 2012 Time: 01:00 to 02:00
Until January 31st:
Photo Exhibition by James Mackay
Abhaya: Burma's Fearlessness
Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester M3 1SX
Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=M31SX
Abhaya: Burma's Fearlessness
For more than 50 years the plight of Burma’s political prisoners has shocked the world. At present, more than 2,000 political prisoners including monks, students, journalists, lawyers, elected Members of Parliament and over 400 members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party, The National League for Democracy, are incarcerated in the most horrendous conditions in Burma’s notorious prisons. Across the world, hundreds of Burma’s former political prisoners, have come together to raise awareness of the tragic plight of their colleagues still detained in jail.
Photographed with their right hand raised, palm upturned facing the camera, the name of a current political prisoner is shown written on their hand. The simple symbolic gesture of the Buddhist Abhaya Mudhra with the name of a colleague currently suffering silently in prison written on it, becomes a combined act of silent protest, remembrance and fearlessness.
Book of the photos with info on the ex-prisoners and their colleagues still in prison is now avaible. Please purchase via link at Burma Campaign UK store.
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/burma/merchandise
Thursday 12th January
Invitation to Karen traditional peace ceremony outside the Burmese Embassy
We would like to invite you to participate in our Karen tradition peace ceremony that will take place outside the Burmese Embassy in London on 12th January 2012 at 12 noon, to call on the military-backed Burmese government to stop attacking ethnic people, stop their military actions, stop human rights violation and declare nationwide ceasefire to start political dialogue with ethnic resistance groups.
On this global day of action, the Karen community around the world will hold this traditional peace ceremony. By holding our traditional peace ceremony, we show that we are peace loving people and we are longing for peace. We want the negotiation between our Karen (KNU) leaders and military backed Thein Sein Government that will take place on 12 January to lead to political dialogue so that we can have genuine peace for all the Karen and other ethnic nationalities and everyone living in Burma.
We are not doing any slogans but you are welcome to bring some placards. The placards should be:
* Declare Nationwide Ceasefire
* We want political dialogue
* We want genuine peace
* Stop attacking ethnic people
* Stop military actions in ethnic areas
* Stop human rights violation
* Release Mahn Nyein Maung (Mahn Nyein Maung is a KNU leader, sentenced to 17 years in prison on a charge of "unlawful association"). See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16227766
* Release all political prisoners
Time: 12:00 - 13:00
Myanmar/Burma Military Regime Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=W1J5DX
Saturday 14th January
Fundraising event - Food Fair in London
Date: 14th Janurary 2012, Saturday
Time: 6pm - 10pm
Venue: St Agnes R C Church 35 Cricklewood Lane London NW2 1HR
Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=NW21HR
Train: Cricklewood train station – after station exit turn right towards golders green and third left.
Tube: Kilburn station take Bus 32, 332, 16, 316, 189 and get off in second bus stop.
5 min walk to gillingham Road along cricklewood lane.
Bus: one bus stop from cricklewood lane by 245, 260, 460 towards golders green
There will be Karaoke, Traditional dance and Buffet - £ 7.00. Just £ 7.00 will make your life enjoyable and valuable on that evening. Please be there for your best moment.
Friday 20th January (Manchester)
Into the Current: Burma’s Political Prisoners Film
A film by Jeanne Hallacy for Democratic Voice of Burma (60 mins)
Friday 20 January, 2012
Time: 7pm
Location: Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner Street Manchester M4 1DZ
Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=M41DZ
Leaflet:
http://burmacampaign.org.uk/images/uploads/Burma-film-exhibition.pdf
Free admission
More about film: http://www.intothecurrent.org
Thursday 26th January
88 New Generation Students (UK) Protest
We, 88 New Generation Students (UK) , would like to kindly invite you all, to support and participate in the protest calling on the Military Backed Thein Sein government to immediate release of all political prisoners in Burma.
It comes no surprise that the Thein Sein regime in Burma still holds an estimated 1,700 political prisoners while more than 500 political prisoners are remained incarcerated in prisons. Recently, following the ASEAN summit in Bali, Thein Sein said his government”does not agree with” the commonly-held belief that around 1,700 people are serving jail terms in Burma because of political activity. This shows the violation of the fundamental, civil, political and human rights of political prisoners who have been working hard towards freedom of our country under the hardship of the Thein Sein government.
In addition, rumors on impending political prisoners amnesty circulated throughout since then, but have not yet to materialize. Far from the prisoners amnesty, all prominent political figures who are serving 65yrs prison terms including Buddhist monks leader Sayadaw Gambira ,88 Generation Students Leader Ko Min Ko Naing, Female dissident Ma Nilar Thein were sent to far remote prisons in Burma. Further, the evil of this military backed Thein Sein regime is still committing the arbitrary arrest of political activists, human rights lawyers and targeted outrageous attack to the ethnic minorities.
Therefore, we, the youth generation, believe that the current crisis in Burma will not be solved by the fake tactics of the military dominated government. Since denial of political status is denial of dignity, we would respectfully like to ask all organizations working for the freedom of all political prisoners to show our solidarity with the core aim of:
Calling on the Thein Sein government to immediate release all political prisoners in Burma.
Date: 26th January (Thursday)
Time: 12:00 - 13:00
Myanmar/Burma Military Regime Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=W1J5DX
Website: http://88newgenerationstudents-uk.blogspot.com/
Check for any further events or changes to events:
http://burmeseeventsintheuk.wordpress.com
http://88newgenerationstudents-uk.blogspot.com 88 New Generation Students UK (New Website)
http://www.bdmauk.org.uk Burmese Democracy Movement Association
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/public-events/all-events Burma Campaign UK
http://www.nldlauk.org National League for Democracy (UK)
http://b-m-a.org Burmese Muslim Association
http://www.bdcburma.org Burma Democratic Concern
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11780 Amnesty UK Burma Events
http://www.csw.org.uk/changeforburma.htm Christian Solidarity Worldwide
LINKS
(For a comprehensive set of Burma links please see the Burma Campaign UK website links page:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/burma/links/all-links/37 )
News on Burma (in English)
The Irrawaddy www.irrawaddy.org
Widely cited by International News media.
Mizzima News www.mizzima.com
Online newspaper which specialises in Burma related news and multimedia
Democratic Voice of Burma: www.dvb.no
Source of underground documentary video journalism in Burma. Norway based exiled media station. Broadcasts radio and TV into Burma
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre www.internal-displacement.org
See Myanmar section. IDMC keeps online conflict displacement info for UN.
Burmanet www.burmanet.org/news
Coverage of news and opinion on Burma from around the world
Karen News www.karennews.org
Everyday stories cover a range of crimes against humanity – extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, forced labor, child soldiers, forced displacement, human trafficking. Among the carnage, however, are stories of hope, love and dignity.
Chinland Guardian www.chinlandguardian.com
Chin journalist ethnic news service striving for "free, open and democratic society"
Shan Herald Agency for News www.shanland.org
Campaign Organisations
Burma Campaign UK www.burmacampaign.org.uk
For email petitions, news and events this is the leading Burma focused group for members of the public to subscribe to and support in the UK.
Alternative Asean Network on Burma www.altsean.org
SE Asia networked advocacy. Has lots of info explaining Burma’s election, economy and human rights abuses.
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) www.aappb.org
Provides food and medicine to prisoners. Main source of prisoner info.
EarthRights International www.earthrights.org
Documents and takes legal action against human rights and environmental abuses. Lead the case against Total and Chevron (Texaco) abuses in Burma.
Burma Partnership www.burmapartnership.org
A network of organizations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, advocating for and mobilizing a movement for democracy and human rights in Burma.
Amnesty International UK www.amnesty.org.uk
Campaigns for prisoners of conscience and often holds events about Burma.
Human Rights Watch www.hrw.org
Reports on Burma the human right situation in Burma
Federation of Trade Unions Burma www.ftub.org
Based outside Burma. Forced labour, child labour, migrant workers issues etc
Christian Solidarity Worldwide www.csw.org.uk
Visits refugee camps and lobbies for aid on both Thai and Bangladesh borders.
National League for Democracy(Burma) www.nldburma.org
News and views of Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD campaigning activities.
Burma's Lawyers' Council www.blc-burma.org
Opposing injustice, restoring justice
Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets (UK)
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/burma.htm
Burmese Activist & Ethnic Human Rights
Ethnic Nationalities Council www.encburma.net
Fostering unity and cooperation between all ethnic nationalities in a transition to democracy
Kachin Development Networking Group www.kdng.org
Kachin Relief www.kachinrelief.org.uk
Charity run by Kachin exiles for Kachin refugee relief
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) www.bro-uk.org
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation www.rohingya.org
88 New Generation Students UK www.88newgenerationstudents-uk.blogspot.com
Burmese student activists
Burmese Democracy Movement Association bdmauk.org.uk
Burmese Activists. Started The Little Burmese Tea Shop at Glastonbury.
www.thelittleburmeseteashop.wordpress.com
Burma Democratic Concern www.bdcburma.org
Campaigning to restore democracy, human rights and rule of law in Burma
National League for Democracy Liberated Area(UK) www.nldlauk.org
Exile organization for supporting the NLD
Burmese Muslim Association www.b-m-a.org
Environmental Activist
Burma Rivers Network www.burmariversnetwork.org
Protecting the environment and rights of communities
Arakan Rivers Network www.arakanrivers.net
Salween watch www.salweenwatch.org
Preventing the building of harmful hydroelectric power dams on the Salween River.
Charity
Thailand Burma Border Consortium www.tbbc.org
UK registered charity, 12 international NGO’s supporting refugees on Thai Burma border. IDP Maps on IDMC website are from TBBC.
Free Burma Rangers www.freeburmarangers.org
Sends medical/aid teams to villages under attack. Also documents abuses.
The Back Pack Health Worker Team www.backpackteam.org
Deeply committed to bringing primary health services to the remote and vulnerable populations inside Burma.
Mae Tao Clinic www.maetaoclinic.org
Health services for displaced Burmese populations along the Thailand-Burma border
Tourism
How to travel responsibly in Burma -
www.ecoburma.com/choices/responsible-travel-to-burma-101
Concerns over Tour Operators
www.tourismconcern.org.uk/uploads/Campaigns/How-tour-operators-are-supporting-Burma-regime.pdf
National League for Democracy statement on Tourism
www.nldburma.org/media-press-release/78-press-release/316-nld-statement-no-100511-released-on-20th-may-2011-regarding-tourism-in-burma-.pdf
Network for Human Rights Documentation - Burma
(www.nd-burma.org )
ND-Burma formed in 2003 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 12 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to challenge the regime’s power through present-day advocacy as well as prepare for justice and accountability measures in a potential transition. ND-Burma conducts fieldwork trainings; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, an open-source software (www.martus.org ) developed by Benetech; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns. When possible, ND-Burma also collaborates with other human rights organizations in all aspects of its work.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Future Events
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Broken Ethics: The Norwegian Government’s Investments in Oil and Gas Companies Operating in Burma
The Government of Norway is complicit in natural-resource related human rights abuses in Burma, according to an explosive new report released today by EarthRights International (ERI).
The Norwegian Pension Fund-Global (Fund) has USD $4.7 billion invested in 15 oil and gas companies from eight countries operating in Burma. The report finds these companies complicit in abuses such as forced labor, killings, and land confiscation in Burma, putting Norway in violation of its own Ethical Guidelines for responsible investment. The Norwegian Fund is the world’s second largest sovereign wealth fund.
Broken Ethics: The Norwegian Government’s Investments in Oil and Gas Companies Operating in Burma (Myanmar)
Press Release:
http://www.earthrights.org/campaigns/norway-complicit-human-rights-abuses-burma
Excerpts:
"In 2005, the Norwegian Council on Ethics took up one of its first assessments of a company in the Fund’s investment portfolio when it scrutinized the French energy firm Total and the human rights impacts of the Yadana pipeline project in Burma. The Council concluded that Total had likely been complicit in the extensive use of forced labor connected to government-
provided security services and infrastructure construction for the Yadana project, as well as the forced relocation and deportation of villagers, and other violence perpetrated by the military."
...
In late 2008, a villager from Michauglaung explained how he was forced by the Burmese Army to provide security in his village along the Yadana and Yetagun pipelines:
We also have to do nighttime security – one night for three hours, once every two weeks. There are two groups – one in the beginning of the village, the other at the end of the village. If you fall asleep you have to provide [approximately 3 kilograms] of chicken [to the Burmese Army]. Sometimes they beat you up, and [then] you have to do one day of forced labor.
In 2010, the current ILO Liaison Officer in Rangoon Steve Marshall confirmed in writing to EarthRights International that forced labor has continued in the Yadana pipeline area.
As of June 2010, Total had yet to facilitate any complaints of forced labor to the ILO.
Total mislead investors:
The company went so far as to claim that the International Labour Organization (ILO) had certified that it had eradicated forced labor in its project area. From 2003 to 2009, on its website, Total claimed that “according to the ILO, the only region in the country in which forced labor has ceased is the area in which the Yadana gas pipeline was built.”
In fact, forced labor continues in the Yadana pipeline area, as described in detail in the sections above and in numerous EarthRights International reports. Moreover, the ILO has confirmed that it never stated that forced labor had ceased in the pipeline area and that this claim by Total is untrue. As exposed in the 2009 report Getting It Wrong, a senior and former ILO representative in Burma disavowed Total’s claims and noted that the statement that was attributed to the ILO was false and is “not right to say.”
Only in 2009, after EarthRights International exposed the untruth of Total’s statements, did Total quietly withdraw this misleading claim from their website. In 2010, the current ILO Liaison Officer in Rangoon Steve Marshall confirmed in writing to EarthRights International that forced labor has continued in the Yadana pipeline area
Total’s campaign to demonstrate the "benefits":
The Burmese Army has also used forced labor to maintain and repair local roads necessary for pipeline operations. These roads, ironically, have featured prominently in Total’s campaign to demonstrate the benefits brought by their presence. The primary benefit of the roads, however, appear to accrue to the pipeline companies and their personnel. Local people are not compensated for their road maintenance labor, and are then restricted from certain roads because of the potential damage caused by their bullock carts – most villagers do not own other means of transport.
According to previous accounts from Zinba Village published by EarthRights International, it appears that the forced maintenance began after complaints from foreign oil company workers about damage to the roads.
...
Testimonies from the pipeline area continue to show that the companies work closely with and aid the local Burmese Army battalions, which are in turn committing systematic human rights abuses against local villagers. A Burmese civilian working as a security guard for Total in 2010 reported to EarthRights International that the oil companies’ private security detail meets “almost every day” with the local Burmese military commander to “talk about the security issue” around the pipeline. The guard added that, “sometimes the army will ask for and use the company trucks to transport their troops or material when they need it, if the army does not have enough trucks.”
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Burma's 2010 Elections
Not Free, Not Fair, Not Inclusive
Youtube video explaining elections:
Burma’s 2008 Constitution:
- The military is above the law & military coups are legalized
- Federalism is denied. The military has control over ethnic states.
- The military occupies 25% of the seats in Parliament.
- The military controls 3 key Ministries :
- defence (control over their budget and military justice)
- home affairs (domestic repression)
- border affairs (cross-border trade, access to illicit rackets such as drugs, logging and smuggling, and license to conduct ongoing offensives against ethnic minorities)
- The military has effective veto power over constitutional amendments
- The National Defence and Security Council further entrenches the military
- Basic human rights are still threatened
- Political activists are barred from office
- The Presidency favours the military
- Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from Presidency even if she is freed (under a clause denying spouses or children as foreign citizens).
2010 Election Laws
- Excludes Buddhist monks, nuns and members of other religious orders.
- Forbids those associated with armed opposition ethnic groups from taking part in elections. (Junta has been threatening ethnic ceasefire groups).
- Excludes those convicted of a crime and serving a sentence from being a member of a political party (Aung San Suu Kyi and many other political prisoners would have to be expelled from their NLD party for it to be allowed to stand)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Aung San Suu Kyi's sham trial verdict
As expected the corrupt regime is keeping Aung San Suu Kyi detained till after their rigged 2010 elections. Burma is the only country in the world with a detained Nobel Peace Prize winner, but there are also over 2,100 heroic political prisoners in Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial has provoked a global outcry. World leaders, including Prime Minster Gordon Brown, President Obama and the UN Secretary General have all condemned the actions of the Burmese regime. Now we need to turn those words into real pressure. We are calling for a global arms embargo against Burma.
Please take action now, go to
http://www.burm
Also please sign the Avaaz.org petition for the United Nations Security Council to create a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and hold the Burmese regime to account for crimes against humanity.
http://www.avaa
The regime is directly defying the United Nations Security Council. 20 years of gentle UN diplomacy, including a visit earlier this month by the UN Secretary General himself, have failed to achieve any breakthrough. It is time the generals faced consequences for their actions, a global arms embargo should be imposed immediately.
Take Action Now
Please take action for a Global Arms Embargo, go to:
http://www.burm
Please take action for investigating the regime's crimes against humanity
http://www.avaa
The main website for Burma's Political Prisoners:
http://www.fbpp
http://www.aapp
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Burma Protest over Total Oil at French Embassy
From Indymedia
Burmese democracy activists protest at the French Embassy about French Total Oil's collaboration with the brutal military junta as heroic democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi's show trial continues in Burma. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has previously condemned Total as "the biggest supporter of the military regime in Burma". French Total Oil funds the evil military regime with approximately 500 million dollars a year from its operation of the Yadana gas pipeline, that is used by the corrupt generals to slaughter ethnic minorities, students, monks and anyone who speaks out for human rights and justice in Burma.
About 30 Burmese Democracy activists organised a demonstration at the French Embassy against Total Oil at short notice on 22nd May, following renewed discussion in Europe concerning Total's notorious investment in Burma. The police were called as they had not been informed of the demonstration, but it was just intended to peacefully express Aung San Suu Kyi's Burmese democracy supporters wish for Total Oil to be included in any further extension of European sanctions and did not last long, as it followed a previous demonstration at the Burma Embassy.
This week France admitted that Total was the sole major European investor in Burma and that sanctions involving Total would be the only serious economic lever Europe had on the regime.
Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy party, won the 1990 elections with 82% of the vote, but the corrupt military would not honour their own elections. She has spent 13 of the last 18 years in detention. The United Nations has already said her detention is illegal by both international and the junta's own Burmese law. Her current term was due to expire on May 27th, but the cowardly junta with 400,000 soldiers is so afraid of one woman that they will do anything to keep her imprisoned ahead of their fake 2010 elections. They have already written a constitution that ensures their military rule continues and bars Aung San Suu Kyi from even participating.
There have been many statements of support for Aung San Suu Kyi by world leaders following the junta's latest stunt to imprison her and keep her from her Burmese people. However it is the world leaders themselves that are on trial, as their fine statements are put to the test. Will they do anything of consequence to help Aung San Suu Kyi and her people ?
Europe previously agreed not to include oil and gas in sanctions, so that sanctions could be escalated if needed. If Aung San Suu Kyi is further imprisoned as most expect, then Europe's bluff will have been called.
http://www.fran
"If Europe imposes new sanctions on Myanmar's military regime they would hit the French energy giant Total's operations in the country and have far reaching consequences, France said Wednesday.
Speaking as EU countries mulled action against the junta over its treatment of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Total was the sole major European investor in the country.
"The only serious economic lever would obviously be Total," Kouchner told members of the French parliament"
HELP AUNG SAN SUU KYI - TAKE ACTION NOW
The United Nations and ASEAN must dispatch envoys to Burma to demand the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all Burma’s political prisoners.
Please go to this page where you can email the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon and ASEAN leaders to urge them to send envoys immediately.
http://www.burm
http://www.avaa
As you know Burma’s generals will use any excuse to keep Aung San Suu Kyi detained. If strong action isn’t taken, Aung San Suu Kyi could face the rest of her life in jail.
Please take action now. Aung San Suu Kyi could now spend the rest of her life in jail. http://www.burm
Saturday, May 16, 2009
15th May Protest at Aung San Suu Kyi's Arrest
From Indymedia
On Friday 15th May, Burmese demonstrated over at the military regime's embassy in London and at the Foreign Office in Kings Charles Street, at Aung San Suu Kyi arrest and detention at the notorious Insein prison. There will be a larger protest on Monday 18th May.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been under detention for 13 of the last 18 years, but the junta has been desperate to keep her detained ahead of the sham 2010 elections in which she is already barred from standing. The UN had already declared her detention illegal under both international and Burma's law, but the dictatorship is so afraid of her they are using the ridiculous excuse of an unwanted intruder in her house that refused to leave, to accuse her of breaking their ridiculous detention law.
Aung San Suu Kyi National League for Democracy party won 82% of the vote in the 1990 elections, but the corrupt generals did not honour the result of their own election. As they have no honour, it comes as no suprise that they will use any pathetic excuse to keep her detained.
On Monday, Aung San Suu Kyi faces trial at the notorious Insein prison, but it is the UN, ASEAN and world leaders that will be on trial. Words are not enough, they must take real actions to ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi is released.
This year ASEAN hailed the creation of a regional human rights body as a historic first step toward confronting abuses in the region. ASEAN should get to work helping to free Nobel Peace prize winning Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2100 fellow political prisoners in Burma.
HELP AUNG SAN SUU KYI - TAKE ACTION NOW
The United Nations and ASEAN must dispatch envoys to Burma to demand the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all Burma’s political prisoners
Please go to this page where you can email the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon and ASEAN leaders to urge them to send envoys immediately.
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/ASSK_action.html
Find out more about Aung San Suu Kyi here: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/burma/campaigns/aung-san-suu-kyi/
More photo's of the May 15th event on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toastyoneuk/sets/72157618291888710/
Friday, March 20, 2009
21st Anniversary of Burma Human Rights Day
On this day a new signature campaign, Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now was launched globally, aiming to reach 888,888 signatures before 24 May 2009, the legal date that Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest. The petition calls on the UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma, as the essential first step towards democracy in the country.
Please sign the petition now:
http://www.burm
Political Prisoners In Burma Facts:
- There are over 2,100 political prisoners in Burma.
- They are innocent: These prisoners have committed no crime. They have been imprisoned for peacefully calling for democracy and freedom in Burma.
- They are subjected to horrific torture: Once in prison, democracy activists face horrific torture, including electric shocks, rape, iron rods rubbed on their shins until the flesh rubs off, severe beatings and solitary confinement.
- They endure terrible suffering: Many prisoners are kept in their cells 24hours a day, given inadequate food and are in poor health. However, the regime appears to be systematically denying medical treatment to political prisoners.
- These are brave men and women that are at the forefront of the fight for freedom and democracy in Burma.
They need your help. Sign the petition now:
http://www.burm
The Global Website for the Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now Campaign is at:
http://www.fbpp
Sign the petition to free Burma's prisoners of conscience today!
http://www.fbpp
http://www.face
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Total Closure Chiswick West Four Service Station
Total appear to have permanently closed the West Four Total petrol station in Chiswick. It was one of our most regular protest sites in 2008. We realise there is also a recession on, but we would like to thank the motorists that boycotted Total for Burma and the local shopkeepers that distributed our leaflets about Total's disgraceful involvement in Burma.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
First Anniversary of Assassination of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan
The 14th February 2009 was the first anniversary of the cowardly assassination of the greatly respected Karen leader Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan. He was murdered in Thailand by thugs working for the brutal Burmese military regime, as part of a campaign to kill ethnic leaders.
His daughter Zoya Phan is International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK.
Zoya Phan’s new autobiography, the gripping tale of her life, will be published in April. It is available to pre-order now. Order your copy via the Burma Campaign UK website and help to fund the Burma Campaign UK.
“Uplifting, tragic and entirely gripping, the extraordinary true story of Zoya Phan, forced to flee her country, now a high profile activist campaigning for freedom in her homeland.”
About Zoya: Zoya Phan is International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK and is one of the leading Burmese democracy activists in Europe. She has met with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown twice, several senior government ministers, the leader of the opposition party, and is regularly interviewed by national and international media including BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera. Zoya is from the Karen ethnic group in Burma. When Burmese army soldiers attacked her village, and she and her family were forced to flee. They hid in the jungle for weeks before finding their way to a refugee camp in Thailand. She is now a refugee living in London.
Order your copy via the Burma Campaign UK website here
Some video clips of Zoya Phan on Youtube:
Zoya Phan talks about TOTAL's presence in Burma in French
Zoya Phan speaking about Burma at the Conservative party conference in 2007. Her words brought the audience to their feet.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Union Day of Burma (12/02/2009)
Embassy of Czech Republic
The exile/UK branch of Burma’s National League for Democracy, called for solidarity among all the various democracy loving groups inside and outside the country and held events at the Burma Embassy, UK Foreign Office and Embassy of Czech Republic (rotating EU President). They presented a united front before the regime’s Embassy and relayed a message to the military regime to stop their sham roadmaps and to start genuine efforts for sincere democratization
In recent months the military regime has made an even greater mockery of its planned 2010 elections by giving many life sentences to political prisoners. The International community should not recognize the 2010 elections since Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention and is not allowed to stand and most of her party is in prison. Her party, the NLD received 82% of the vote in the 1990 elections but the cowardly dictatorship refused to respect the will of the Burmese people and hand over power, preferring to wait 20 years for another election they will be careful to fake properly next time.
For more photo's see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toastyoneuk/sets/72157613766833647/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/totaloutnow/sets/72157614772953509/
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Total Burma protest at Watford Court and Offices
From London Indymedia Article:
On 23rd January the opening day of French Total Oil's Buncefield explosion criminal proceedings at Watford Magristrates Court, Burma protesters and supporters remind passers-by of Total's other disgraces and also leafleted at Total's Watford offices just down the road from the magistrates court.
Total Denial and Total Disasters
In January 2008 a French court made French Total Oil pay a large share of €200 million in damages to civil parties for Europe's largest oil tanker disaster. The Erika tanker disaster suffocated hundreds of miles of Atlantic coastline killing or injuring 300,000 sea birds. The court said Total, the world's fourth largest oil group, had failed to take into account the age of the ship and deficiencies in its maintenance. This carelessness had a "causal role in the sinking and, as such, provoked the accident", the judge said.
In October 2008 Total Oil was found guilty of price fixing. The European Commission fined nine firms that had been fixing the price of paraffin between 1992 and 2005. French Total Oil was fined 128.1million euros (the 2nd largest fine of the firms involved).
In December 2008 Total Oil faced criminal charges over Buncefield, Europe's largest peacetime blaze and the UK's largest peacetime explosion. Total is facing three charges — failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees; failing to protect persons not in their employment; and causing pollution to ground water in the vicinity of the plant. In October Total finally gave up 3 years of ridiculous denial that they were only liable for damages within 451m of the explosion, putting residents through years of "unnecessary struggle". Ironically Total's partner in Buncefield is Chevron (known as Texaco in UK), the same partner as in Total's Burma Yadana gas pipeline. Chevron (Texaco) and Total are arguing over responsibility for Buncefield : "Chevron, which owns 40 per cent of Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd. claims that Total alone should be responsible for the damage claims, on the grounds that the French company controlled Buncefield's employees and day-to-day operating procedures. "Total proposes that the focal point of the current litigation should be to ensure that Chevron, its joint venture partner, properly faces up to its responsibilities,'' the company said."
The Burmese have long suffered from Total Denial with Total financing the military dictatorship with hundreds of millions of dollars a year, but let's hope Total doesn't manage to get away with it for much longer in the UK and the Buncefield victims get total satisfaction in 2009.
References:
Erika tanker disaster - Europe's largest tanker disaster
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/17/oilspills.pollution
Price fixing
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7646408.stm
Buncefield - UK's largest peacetime explosion
Total is facing three charges
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article5268763.ece
3 years of ridiculous denial + Chevron (Texaco) and Total are arguing over responsibility
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2d515930-9407-11dd-b277-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1
Total Denial in Burma
http://www.totaldenialfilm.com/
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total.php
Sunday, December 14, 2008
60th Anniversary of UN Declaration of Human Rights
On the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Burmese and solidarity groups held a demonstration at the Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX (10/12/2008). There is no justice, freedom or respect for human rights in Burma. The protesters called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma. Ignoring international calls the regime has sentenced many more political prisoners in the last month to sentences as long as 65 years.
For details of Political Prisoners in Burma:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
Over 200 Asian Legislators urge UN Sec-Gen to travel to Myanmar, secure release of all Political Prisoners
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Amnesty International Human Rights Day London Event
December marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On Saturday 6th December, Amnesty International asked people to gather together in hundreds of locations around the world, holding up a light and forming the shape of the iconic Amnesty candle. The images captured sent a strong message of solidarity around the world, and showed our commitment to making the basic human rights articles laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago, a reality for us all.
In London 30 AI groups held up a group-made banner representing one of the articles of UN Declaration of Human Rights, with a photo of from around the world of a person not lucky enough to be afforded that particular right. Barnet and Enfield Amnesty group had chosen Aung San Suu Kyi as somebody who does not enjoy the rights for this day. They held up a placard for article 7: "All are equal before the Law". Aung San Suu Kyi clearly does not enjoy this right in Burma as she is now in her thirteenth year of detention. Her party was elected in 1990 with 82% of the vote, but the corrupt Burmese military junta refused to recognise the result of the election that they had organised. Now they propose new elections in 2010 that are far from democratic as the military will retain absolute control and Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from standing in the new elections. Clearly the Burmese junta is intent on continuing to ignore Article 7 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights: "All are equal before the Law", despite Burma having signed it.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Santa Boycott's Total Oil at Marylebone Rd
On 3rd December 2008, Santa Claus assisted by some merry elves, boycotted the Total petrol station at Dorset House, 170-172 Marylebone Rd, London. French Total Oil had been very bad all year, funding the brutal military regime in Burma with approximately 500 million dollars a year. Many passing taxis, buses and other motorists beeped their support for the boycott.
Whilst French Total Oil had profited all year from high prices and the misery it caused in Burma and elsewhere, Santa hoped people would remember just how totally disgraceful a year it had been for Total:
In January a French court made French Total Oil pay a large share of €200 million in damages to civil parties for Europe's largest oil tanker disaster. The Erika tanker disaster suffocated hundreds of miles of Atlantic coastline killing or injuring 300,000 sea birds. The court said Total, the world's fourth largest oil group, had failed to take into account the age of the ship and deficiencies in its maintenance. This carelessness had a "causal role in the sinking and, as such, provoked the accident", the judge said.
In October Total Oil was found guilty of price fixing. The European Commission fined nine firms that had been fixing the price of paraffin between 1992 and 2005. French Total Oil was fined 128.1million euros (the 2nd largest fine of the firms involved).
In December Total Oil faced criminal charges over Buncefield, Europe's largest peacetime blaze and the UK's largest peacetime explosion. Total is facing three charges — failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees; failing to protect persons not in their employment; and causing pollution to ground water in the vicinity of the plant. In October Total finally gave up 3 years of ridiculous denial that they were only liable for damages within 451m of the explosion, putting residents through years of "unnecessary struggle". Ironically Total's partner in Buncefield is Chevron (known as Texaco in UK), the same partner as in Total's Burma Yadana gas pipeline. Chevron and Total are arguing over responsibility for Buncefield : "Chevron, which owns 40 per cent of Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd. claims that Total alone should be responsible for the damage claims, on the grounds that the French company controlled Buncefield's employees and day-to-day operating procedures. "Total proposes that the focal point of the current litigation should be to ensure that Chevron, its joint venture partner, properly faces up to its responsibilitie
The Burmese have long suffered from Total Denial, but let's hope Total doesn't manage to get away with it for much longer in the UK and the Buncefield victims get total satisfaction in 2009.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
24 hour Hunger Strike/Fast for Burma's political prisoners
From Indymedia:
From 9am 26th November to 9am 27th November Burmese held a 24 hour hunger strike/fast in Parliament Square, London. Burmese Muslims, Buddhists and Christians all held prayer services for political prisoners in Burma. The brutal Burmese military dictatorship has recently sentenced student leaders and democracy activists to 65 years in prison. The Burmese were calling on UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma in December.
The event was sponsored by the NLD-LA UK ( www.nld-la.org.
Sadly, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has just said he won't even visit Burma, despite being invited by the regime and a December visit being suggested for months.
The military junta in Burma has sentenced at least 215 political activists, monks, nuns and journalists during November, bringing the total number of political prisoners sentenced since last year's uprising to at least 384.
• Activist and famous comedian Zarganar, who had been organising relief supplies to survivors of Cyclone Nargis, received sentences totalling 59 years.
• Prominent Buddhist monk U Gambira, leader of the All Burma Monks' Alliance, who played a leading role in last year's Saffron Revolution, was given sentences totalling 68 years.
• Twenty-three members of the 88 Generation Students Group, who led the protests against fuel price hikes in August last year, including Min Ko Naing, were given sentences of at least 65 years each.
Ban says he won't go to Burma because there has been no progress, but it is his job to ensure progress happens. He won't bring change to Burma sitting behind a desk in New York. He must go to Burma and negotiate change, including the release of all political prisoners.
On 10th December the UN will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration proclaims "the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people." Surely the best way to celebrate the declaration would be for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma and at least try to obtain the release of Burmese political prisoners.
TAKE ACTION: please fax/email Ban Ki-moon asking him not to abandon Burma's brave democracy activists to spend the rest of their lives in jail.
Download a message to fax at:
http://www.burm
Or send a message via email:
http://www.burm
40 Burmese Dissidents Given Prison Terms of up to 65 Years
http://www.irra
Burmese Online Petition Request for Release of Political Prisoners in Burma
http://www.peti
LETTER FROM 112 FORMER PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS OF MORE THAN 50 NATIONS SENT TO UN SECRETARY-GENER
http://www.burm
More Photos of 24 hour hunger strike/fast for political prisoners event:
http://www.flic
http://www.flic
Full Article on Indymedia with more photos
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Kilburn Total Oil Protest (27/08/2008)
Protest at Kilburn Total station, 409 Kilburn High Rd, Kilburn, NW6 7QG on 27th August 2008 by www.totaloutofb
A passer-by asks for his photo to be taken with his camera and then poses for our photo. We thank him for his support.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Southfields Total Protest (20/08/2008)
www.totaloutofburma.org protest at Southfields Total Station near Wimbledon. French Total Oil has played a significant role in keeping the brutal Burma junta in power through funding their oppression with hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The French Total Oil operated Yanda gas pipeline was built with slave labour.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Total Oil Protest Marylebone Road 13/08/08
There were roadworks at the Total Station making rather a mess, but the 5 protestors still manage to hold up banners for the passing vehicles and hand out leaflets to passers-by. Some of whom we were pleased to learn already supported us and were even on our emailing list. French Total Oil has collaborated with the brutal military junta since the mid 1990's, sponsoring the oppressive regime with 500 million dollars a year in payments from the Yadana gas pipeline. This arms and equips the brutal junta's war against the Burmese people and ethnic minorities.
8-8-88 Burma Protests and Bike for Burma Report
Friday 8th August marked the 20th Anniversary of the 8-8-88 Burma democracy uprising in which at least 3,000 unarmed Burmese protesters were murdered by the Burmese junta. In London the Burmese unveiled a glass memorial at the peace park near the Imperial War museum, held a protest for political prisoners at the Burmese Embassy and in the evening had an exhibition on Burmese political prisoners at the School of Oriental and African Studies. The following day the new generation of Burmese students and exiled activists held a Bike for Burma event around London to remember 8-8-88 and ask people not to forget Burma.
For Full Article, more pictures and news from Burma
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Clapham South Total Oil Protest for Burma
From Indymedia:
On 30th July six protesters from www.totaloutofburma.org held a demonstration at the Ridge Total Service Station, 40 - 50 Balham Hill, Wandsworth, London SW12 9EL (near Clapham South). French Total Oil funds the brutal Burmese junta with 500 million dollars a year from the Total operated Yadana gas field, fuelling oppression and great cruelty in Burma. Next August 8th will mark the 20th uprising of the 8-8-88 protests in which 3,000 peaceful Burmese protesters were murdered by the Burmese junta.
Several vehicles entering the station were put off buying petrol and turned around. Although there were less passers-by than at some other protests, a high proportion were interested in the protest taking leaflets about Totalitarian Oil and about the Cyclone Victims in Burma.
Full Article, More photos and news from Burma:
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Chiswick Free Burma Protest against Total Oil
From Indymedia:
Six protesters from www.totaloutofburma.org held a demonstration at Chiswick West Four Total petrol station, 137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED on 23rd July. They called for French Total Oil to stop funding the brutal Burmese junta with hundreds of millions of dollars a year from the French Total operated Yadana gas pipeline. Burma earns most of its foreign currency from gas exports and spends 50% of its budget on the military in a war against its own people. Since the mid 1990s French Total Oil has played a significant role in keeping the brutal Burmese junta in power, against the wishes of the Burmese people.
The protesters "BEEP 4 BURMA BOYCOTT TOTAL" banner attracted support from passing cars, including a passing fire engine that beeped in support with the firemen on board waving their approval at the protest. About 400 Total Out of Burma leaflets and the same again for a leaflet in support of Burma Cyclone victims were handed out to passers-by.
At the Chiswick protest and earlier at 33 Cavendish Sq (where Total's UK Holding company is based), passers-by told the protesters they would not buy petrol from Total again.
