Future Events

For information on these and more Burmese Events in the UK please see:
http://burmeseeventsintheuk.wordpress.com
http://burmeseeventsintheuk.wordpress.com/feed/ (RSS News Feed)


Friday 5th February

Demonstration against Myitsone dam on 49th Anniversary of Kachin Revolution

The existence of Kachin Revolution against military junta will reach 49 years on 5th of February 2010.

In Myitsone, Kachin State, the 50-storey-tall mega dam is being built by China Power Investment Corporation, will produce 3,600 MW of power for export to China, and is the first in a series of seven Chinese dams on the Irrawaddy River. Over 60 villages, approximately 15,000 people are in the process of being forcibly relocated without informed consent.

Despite the risks of arrest, torture or death for dissent in military-rule Burma, brave local villagers are demanding a halt to the dams. In a face-to-face meeting with the Burma Army’s Northern Commander, local residents made it clear that no amount of compensation will make up for the losses these dams will bring to their community and future generations.

The Kachin community in UK stands with the people of Kachin State and throughout Burma who oppose these dams. There will be protesting and urging the military junta to stop Myitsone Irrawaddy dam projects of military junta and Chinese company on this auspicious day.

The project only benefits the military junta, but, the local Kachin people will suffer hardship.

"It is well-documented that development projects in Burma are accompanied by increased militarization and associated abuses, including forced labor and rape”

http://www.bnionline.net/news/kng/7775-exiled-kachins-urge-china-to-stop-irrawaddy-myitsone-dam-project-.html

Protests will take place on this day in the UK, Japan, Australia and the USA. Protests are also planned in India, Malaysia and Sweden.

http://www.burmariversnetwork.org/dam-projects/irrawaddynmaimali.html

"The reservoir of the Irrawaddy Myitsone dam will flood an area larger than Singapore in one of the world’s hottest “hotspots” of biodiversity. An estimated 10,000 people will be displaced, losing their livelihoods and natural resource base. Women will be particularly at risk during dam construction and resettlement. Reservoir discharge of accumulated mercury from gold mining operations in the area and other downstream impacts stand to threaten the already endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin. The dam site is located on an active fault line; any dam break would destroy the capital of Kachin State 40 kilometers downstream. "


Date: 5th February 2010 (Friday)
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


Thursday 11th February

Demonstration for the 63rd Anniversary of Union Day in Burma

The Panglong Agreement was signed between the Burmese central government and several ethnic groups with the aim of achieving a federal democratic system of government in Burma after the country gained independence from Britain in 1947.

The Panglong Agreement was signed by the government led by Burma’s independence hero, Gen Aung San, father of detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and the signatories included ethnic Shan, Chin and Kachin groups in Panglong town in Shan State on February 12, 1947. The event is recognized annually as Union Day of Burma.

But in July 1947, political rivals assassinated Aung San and several cabinet members.

The ethnic groups involved in the Panglong Agreement say the constitution, written in 1948, failed to guarantee equal rights, autonomy and self-determination as agreed upon at the conference. It was one of the factors that led many ethnic groups to launch military operations against the central government.

Since then, some groups have reached ceasefire agreements with the Burmese military government while others have fought for autonomy for decades.

As long as the leaders of Burma fail to recognize the principles of the Panglong Agreement, the true spirit of Union Day will never be realized, say ethnic politicians. This has never been more true, as the current 2008 constitution that provides a basis for the 2010 sham military elections, denies Federalism, gives military control over ethnic states and threatens even the ceasefire groups with renewed war unless they surrender to the military and become a puppet Border Defence Force with junta military commanders.
The major armed ethnic groups have all rejected the junta's plans for their surrender and assimiliation.

http://www.altsean.org/Docs/PDF%20Format/Thematic%20Briefers/2010%20elections%20-%20A%20recipe%20for%20continued%20conflict.pdf

According to the 2008 constitution for the forthcoming 2010 sham elections:

• The military is above the law & military coups are legalized
• The Presidency favors the military
• The military occupies 25% of the seats in Parliament and controls 3 key Ministries
• The military has effective veto power over constitutional amendments
• The National Defense and Security Council further entrenches the military
• Basic human rights are still threatened
• Political activists are barred from office
• Federalism is denied. The military has control over ethnic states.

Date: 11/02/2010 (Thursday)
Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Myanmar/Burma Military Regime Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=W1J5DX




Saturday 13th February

Karen Christian Fellowship Karen New Year Celebration

Time: 11:00am - 2pm
Location: Woodberry Down Baptist Church, 190 Vartry Road, N15 6HA
Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=N156HA
Nearest Tube: Manor House Station (Picadilly Line)


Saturday 20th February

Invitation to 62nd Anniversary of Chin National Day Celebration

Date: 20-02-2010
Time: 17:00 - 23:00
Venue: London Welsh Association (Centre) 157-163 Grays Inn Road WC1X 8UE
Tube: King's Cross or Russel Square | Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=WC1X8UE
The celebration will include a variety of programmes and traditional foods.




Saturday 6th March

63rd Anniversary of Mon National Day, 6th March.

The Mon National Day ( 63rd Anniversary London, United Kingdom )
The 63rd Anniversary Mon National Day will fully be celebrated in London, in aspect of presenting the culture of Mon people in the world arena. Generation of Mon Society UK will take the responsibility of holding the event with full willingness. The event is to be held in a few weeks later than the actual designated date, in order to provide a smooth and convenient performance in overall channel. The performance will includes auspicious Mon National Day Speeches, cultural dances, live music band and comedy joke show (Anyeik). Moreover Food Fayre will also be part of the supplement program that will raise donation fund for the humanity needs in the border area of Myanmar (Burma).

We would like to invite all representatives from different community, organizations, other ethnic backgrounds and friends and families of our members to the event. The occasion will be held as follows with a FREE ENTRY:
Event Title : 63rd Mon National Day London
Date : : 6th March, 2009 (Saturday)
Time : : 17:00 – 23:00
Vanue : : Cardinal Wiseman HighSchool
358 Greenford Road, Greenford UB6 9AN
Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=UB69AN
Tube: Greenford (Central Line)


Check for any further events or changes to events:

http://burmeseeventsintheuk.wordpress.com/
http://www.burmaforum.org.uk/ Burma Forum
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/events.php Burma Campaign UK
http://www.nld-la.org.uk/ National League for Democracy (UK)
http://www.bdmauk.org Burmese Democracy Movement Association
http://www.bdcburma.org/ Burma Democratic Concern
http://www.csw.org.uk/changeforburma.htm Christian Solidarity Worldwide
http://www.shwe.org/ Shwe Gas Project
http://www.totaloutofburma.org

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.burmacampaign.org.uk/arms-embargo

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.avaaz.org/en/jail_the_generals/

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.burmacampaign.org.uk/arms-embargo

Please take action for investigating the regime's crimes against humanity

http://www.avaaz.org/en/jail_the_generals/


The main website for Burma's Political Prisoners:
http://www.fbppn.net/ - the campaign site
http://www.aappb.org/ - most of the news of political prisoners comes from APPB

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.france24.com/en/20090520-french-oil-firm-would-be-hurt-myanmar-sanctions-minister
"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.burmacampaign.org.uk/ASSK_action.html (if unavailable please try Avaaz:)
http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_aung_san_suu_kyi/96.php/?CLICK_TF_TRACK

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.burmacampaign.org.uk/ASSK_action.html

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/

21st Anniversary of Burma Human Rights Day

Protest held at Burma Embassy 13th March 2009

Launch of Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now - Take Action!

Friday 13th March was the 21st Anniversary of the beginning of the 1988 Student Uprising. Burma's Human Rights Day is in memory of Ko Phone Maw and all those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Burma's freedom. Ko Phone Maw was the first student murdered by the Burmese junta on March 13th 1988 at a peaceful demonstration at Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). It was the start of the 1988 democracy protests in which thousands of demonstrators were later murdered.

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.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm

The target of 888,888 signatures symbolises 8.8.88, the day the junta massacred some 3,000 people who courageously protested in Burma's largest democracy uprising.

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.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm

For Avaaz memebers there also a petition available on their site:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_burma_political_prisoners/

The Global Website for the Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now Campaign is at:
http://www.fbppn.net/
Sign the petition to free Burma's prisoners of conscience today!
http://www.fbppn.net/?page_id=5
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Burmas-Political-Prisoners-Now/72207914501

Total Closure Chiswick West Four Service Station

Before

After

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.

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.

Union Day of Burma (12/02/2009)

Embassy of Burmese Regime






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 Burma. At the Foreign Office and Czech Embassy they called for better assistance from the EU and the UN for pro-democracy movements in Burma.

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/

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

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:

Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

LETTER FROM 112 FORMER PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS OF 50 NATIONS SENT TO UN SECRETARY-GENERAL URGING HIM TO PRESS FOR RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BURMA BY THE END OF 2008

Over 200 Asian Legislators urge UN Sec-Gen to travel to Myanmar, secure release of all Political Prisoners

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.

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 responsibilities,'' the company said."

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.

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.uk - National League for Democracy is Aung San Suu Kyi's political party) and supported by Women of Burma - UK, Burmese Muslim Association, Burma Democratic Concern, Rep of NCUB, International Buddhist Monks Organisation and representatives of Burmese ethnic groups and other solidarity groups. The Burmese wore white (or white arm bands) as the prison uniform in Burma is white. Many Burmese visited throughout the day. Passers-by kindly signed a petition that was handed in to 10 Downing Street by the Burmese.

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.burmacampaign.org.uk/fax_un.html
Or send a message via email:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/un_action.html

40 Burmese Dissidents Given Prison Terms of up to 65 Years
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14614

Burmese Online Petition Request for Release of Political Prisoners in Burma
http://www.petitiononline.com/nlduk08/petition.html

LETTER FROM 112 FORMER PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS OF MORE THAN 50 NATIONS SENT TO UN SECRETARY-GENERAL URGING HIM TO PRESS FOR RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BURMA BY THE END OF 2008.
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/weblog.php?id=P407


More Photos of 24 hour hunger strike/fast for political prisoners event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toastyoneuk/sets/72157610303806929/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/totaloutnow/sets/72157610593508327/

Full Article on Indymedia with more photos

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.totaloutofburma.org. French Total Oil is responsible since the mid 1990's for massively funding the brutal Burma junta and significantly helping to keep it illegally in power. Aung San Suu Kyi the 1991 nobel peace prize winner has been in detention for 12 of the last 18 years. Her party won the election in 1990 with 82% of the vote but the corrupt Burma junta did not allow her to take power. Why are 400,000 junta soldiers so afraid of one woman ?


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.

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.

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

From Indymedia:

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

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:

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.

Day of action for Burma in Chester

From Indymedia

Wrexham Women for Peace and supporters held a stall for Burma in Chester city Saturday July 19th to encourage people to boycott TOTAL petrol stations, to call for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, and to support those affected by Cyclone Nargis. In the afternoon, there was a demo outside Hoole TOTAL petrol station.

The morning sunshine was punctuated by torrential downpours and high winds, so it was a bit of a challenge to keep the stall upright and the leaflets dry. Nevertheless, Chester was packed with people for the Lord Mayor's parade, so we weren't short of punters.

In the afternoon, in slightly kinder weather, we held a noisy demo outside Hoole TOTAL petrol station. The response to our 'beep for burma' banners and placards was overwhelming. An irate TOTAL worker came out to shout at us for venturing onto the forecourt and to defend her employer on the spurious grounds that Shell - who she used to work for - is just as unethical. Yeah, we know that, but today is about Burma and TOTAL is the main culprit there.

It would be great if these demos were held at a frequency to cause real concern to TOTAL, and with the aim of shutting the petrol station down. Anyone in Chester or nearby up for this?

e-mail: wrexhamwomen_at_yahoo.co.uk

Bastille Day Card - Support Liberty in Burma

From Indymedia:

On July 14th three members of totaloutofburma.org celebrated Bastille Day at the Institute Francais in London, calling on "Liberty Equality and Fraternity" with the Burmese "liberty" movement and the heroic prisoners of conscience in Burma. A Bastille Day card with approximately 150 signatures was sent to President Nicolas Sarkozy care of the French Embassy in London, highlighting French Total Oil's continuing shameful collaboration with the brutal Burmese dictatorship and calling for liberty for Burma.

The card contrasted the Bastille prison with the notorious Insein prison in Burma, where many prisoners of conscience have been suffering for years. In the recent Nargis Cyclone 36 of the prisoners were shot dead by guards and apparently four more died from torture during interrogation after the shooting.

The Bastille Day card also celebrated the recent release of French hostage Ingrid Betancourt from Columbia and called for Aung San Suu Kyi to be freed. Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 12 years. Her party won 82% of the vote in the 1990 election but she was not allowed to take power by the corrupt Burma dictatorship that is kept in power by gas revenues from Total's Yadana gas pipeline (the pipeline map was used in back page of card showing displaced/destroyed villages and military camps for the pipeline).

We were grateful for the support of many passers-by, students studying French at the Institute and particularly the French people we met who knew of French Total Oil's collaboration with the dictatorship in Burma and were very critical of Total.

Full article with more picture and news from Burma

Brighton Burma Fest (July 13th 2008)

Well done to Brighton's Free Burma Group for organising a Burma Fest fund raising event for Burmese Cyclone Nargis victims last Sunday July 13th in Preston Park Brighton. Two Burmese speakers spoke about Burma and their experiences. Talented musicians, great atmosphere and great people.

Brighton Free Burma Group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7420650879

Kilburn Total Oil Burma Protest 9th July 2008

From Indymedia:

Four protesters braved the rain on Wednesday 9th July to protest at Totalitarian Oil at Kilburn Total station, 409 Kilburn High Rd, Kilburn, NW6 7QG. For many years French Total Oil has been funding the brutal Burmese junta's oppression of the Burmese people, with hundreds of millions of dollars a year from the Yadana gas pipeline. The Burmese don't benefit from the gas exported to Thailand, instead they have suffered from forced labour and the military camps around the pipeline. The junta spends 50% of Burma's budget on the army and uses foreign currency it earns to buy weapons.

Last Thursday 10th July French Total Oil decided not to invest in the Iran South par gas field. Chief Executive of Total, Christophe de Margerie gave the following quote: "Today we would be taking too much political risk to invest in Iran because people will say: 'Total will do anything for money'" See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7498902.stm

When Total began its investment in Burma it knew full well it would be significantly helping to keep one of the world's most horrible regimes in power and that it would lead to the abuse of the Burmese people. In 1996 one Total executive was quoted in the Financial Times as saying "unless the area is pacified, the pipeline won't last". In 1999 a French parliamentary mission reported: "The link between the military presence, the acts of violence against the populations and the forced labour is established as a fact. Total had to be aware of that." Of course Total was aware, many western companies had already pulled out of Burma for ethical reasons, but at the time in Burma Total would do anything for money. It has given the military junta hundreds of millions of dollars a year to buy weapons and crush democracy in Burma ever since.

Full Article and news from Burma

Wimbledon Southfields Total Oil Burma Protests

25th June

25th June

2nd July

2nd July

From Indymedia:

On 25th June and 2nd July the totaloutofburma.org team held a protest at Southfields Total Oil Station, 262 Wimbledon Park Road, London SW19 6NL. They leafleted the pedestrians attending the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament just down the road from the station. French Total Oil funds the brutal Burma junta with 500 million dollars a year and its gas pipeline in Burma was built with slave labour (see http://www.totaldenialfilm.com).

Over the 2 protests we were able to distribute about 1,000 leaflets to the crowds attending Wimbledon, including many taxis. Some cars did turn away from the Total station and people were shocked to learn of Total's involvement in Burma. We even had a Total employee visiting Wimbledon show us a Total ID card and agree with our protest.

For Full Article more pictures and Burma News

The Real Disaster in Burma is the Government

The Real Disaster in Burma - animated film narrated by Ricky Gervais

Projection onto Waterloo Station Entrance

Home burned in Te Mu Der village on 4 June 2008

Bullets and shells left behind by the Burma Army after the attack

On the 25th June we joined Burma Campaign UK at Waterloo Station where they were projecting a video of the "The Real Disaster in Burma’, a short animated film narrated by Ricky Gervais, onto the entrance of Waterloo station. The animation makes the point that despite the devastating 2nd May Burma cyclone, the real disaster in Burma is the brutal military government and that they continue to terrorize and oppress the people of Burma.

The reality of the animation is only too clear in recent reports and photos from Free Burma Rangers medical teams: see above photos of a Karen home burnt down by the Burma army on 4th June 2008 during the displacement of 1,000 Karen villagers. The Free Burma Rangers article shows further pictures of land-mine victims and Karen village school children having to hide from the Burmese army. The Karen children are in great danger - a previous Free Burma Ranger article tells of a child they had previously treated being captured in December 2008, tortured, ankle tendons cut open, disemboweled and throat cut by the brutal Burma army. Over 3,200 Karen villages have now been destroyed by the Burmese Army, with 200,000 Karen currently hiding from the Burmese army in the jungles of Burma. Almost 150,000 Karen refugees have been living in Thai refugee camps for up to 20 years. As of October 2007, at least 500,000 people were estimated to be internally displaced in the country’s eastern States. This is, however, a conservative figure as no information exists for several parts of the country.

The Real Disaster in Burma - animated film narrated by Ricky Gervais

http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/therealdisaster.html

Burma Army Attacking and Displacing over 1,000 Karen People on 4 June 2008.

http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2008/20080620.html

Atrocities Continue in Karen State, Burma (13-year-old son Wilbur Htoo tortured and disemboweled)

http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2008/20080419.html

Glastonbury Festival: Little Burmese Tea Shop

Democracy activists from Burma will have a tea stall in the The Green Futures Field at the Glastonbury Music Festival called the "Little Burmese Tea Shop". Tea shops are an intrinsic part of Burmese life - people meet in tea shops throughout the country to speak in hushed tones of the political situation in Burma.

At Glastonbury 2008, the Little Burmese Tea Shop will be focussing on the issue of political prisoners in Burma. Our campaign - to raise awareness on the plight of Burmese political prisoners, and to pressure the military junta to release them - is part of a wider campaign organised by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners for Burma (AAPPB). AAPPB provide valuable and very risky support to political prisoners inside prison, through low profile provision of materials and financial support to their families; enabling the families to visit prisoners who are held far from their loved ones. The stall holders at Glastonbury 2008 are all former political prisoners, and are on hand to speak with visitors to the Tea Shop. Funds raised at the Tea Shop will go to supporting victims of cyclone Nargis which struck Burma in May 2008.

The Tea Shop is also bringing 2 speakers to the Speakers Forum (Friday 15.30 and Sunday morning). Our speakers are Dr Saing and Zaw Zaw Aung. Dr Saing is a medical practitioner who is a long standing political activist in Burma. Arrested in 1974 for political activities as a student, he served 7 years in Insein prison, of which several were in solitary confinement, and during which time he was tortured. After release Dr Saing became active again during the 1988 uprising in Burma, for which he was again imprisoned, serving 7 years of his 20 year sentence. He fled to the UK in Oct 2007, and currently works with Amnesty International. Dr Saing will speak on recent events in Burma, including the monk’s protests of 2007, the recent rewriting of the constitution, as well as his own personal experiences as an activist.

Zaw Zaw Aung was a senior figure in the student body that organised the 1988 uprisings. For this activism he was arrested and served as a political prisoner for 14 years (out of a 20 year sentence) in various prisons across Burma, including several years in solitary confinement. Since his release he has played an important role in supporting former political prisoners in both social welfare and on HIV. He also became very significantly active in a new underground political movement inside Burma, called the ‘88 Students Generation’ (people who were key players in the 1988 uprising, have been political prisoners, and are struggling for genuine tripartite dialogue and national reconciliation).

http://greenfieldsinfo.pbwiki.com/The+Little+Burmese+Tea+Shop

http://greenfuturesfestivals.org.uk/glastonbury.htm

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Virginia Water Totalitarian Oil Protest

Three protesters demonstrated at the Wheatsheaf Total Station at Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4QE on 20th June. They were there due to the large amount of traffic attending Royal Ascot that passes this station, with many a stretch-limousine filling up.

Despite there not being many pedestrians, we were able to leaflet many cars passing by and leaving the station, most of whom were unaware of French Total Oil being the largest western supporter of the brutal Burma junta, funding them with 500 million dollars. Money that does not benefit the Burmese people but funds the military in a war against the Burma people.

Aung San Suu Kyi Birthday Protest

From Indymedia:

The Burmese community and Burma Campaign UK marked Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi 63rd birthday on 19th June with a protest at the Burma Embassy in London. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown later met a delegation of young women from 5 of Burma’s main ethnic nationalities, Burman, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, and Chin, demonstrating the unity of the people of Burma in their struggle against dictatorship.

Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have called for immediate democratic reform in Burma, and the release of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a joint letter to Aung San Suu Kyi to mark her birthday, the two leaders praised the leader of the National League for Democracy for her exceptional courage and dedication to the Burmese people. Read the letter:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page15807.asp

See full article and more photos on Indymedia

Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd Birthday

On June 19th 2008, Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, will celebrate her 63rd birthday. She will spend her birthday alone, under house arrest. She is now in her 13th year of detention. She isn't allowed to see family or friends as all visitors are banned. Her phone line is cut and her post is intercepted.

Aung San Suu Kyi is now serving her third term of house arrest. She was arrested on 30 May, 2003 after the regime's militia attacked her convoy and killed up to 100 of her supporters.

On the day that Aung Sang Suu Kyi celebrates her 63rd birthday alone, the Burmese community and Burma Campaign UK will protest outside the Burmese embassy to highlight her continued detention.

Thursday June 19th - Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday
2:00-3pm Thursday
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh
[Check http://www.bdmauk.org for any changes as times may change]


[Note: This will replace totaloutofburma.org's normal Wednesday protest at the Embassy and Cavendish Square]


Friday June 20th - Total Station Protest
9:15am to 5pm
Virginia Water, Wheatsheaf Service Station
London Road, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4QE
Getting there from London by bus:
London Hounslow to Staines: Hounslow, Bell Road / Bell Corner Stop X Take London Bus 203 to Staines, Elmsleigh Bus Station Stand 5 (46 mins)
Staines to Virginia Water, Wheatsheaf: Elmsleigh Bus Station Stand 3 Dicksons Travel Bus 500 towards Frimley Park, Frimley Park Hospital and get off at Virginia Water, Wheatsheaf (SW-Bound) (13 mins)
Plan other routes via: http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk (buses, trains, underground and coaches, postcode to postcode)
Google Map of Wheatsheaf Service Station : http://preview.tinyurl.com/4unwg3



Saturday June 21st Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday Celebrations

Celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday with Burmese community in a multinational, traditional & cultural event . Entertainment and Burmese food being served available.

Programme:
Date: Saturday 21st June
Time 1800- 2200.
Location St. Matthias Parish Hall, St Matthias Close, Rush Grove Avenue, Colindale, NW9 6EN.
Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/5qgow5

Transport
Tube-Colindale, Northern Line
Bus- 83.183.
Walk: 20 mins from Colindale Station

London protests for next 2 weeks

Wednesday May 28th

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm Wednesday May 28th
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1:30-3:00pm Wednesday May 28th
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Saturday 31st May

Chiswick Total petrol station
2.00pm - 5.00pm Saturday 31st May
Protest at West Four Total petrol station, 137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
Tube: Turnham Green Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yuqvch


Wednesday 4th June

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm Wednesday 4th June
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1:30-3:00pm Wednesday 4th June
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Saturday 7th June

Chiswick Total petrol station
2.00pm - 5.00pm Saturday 7th June
Protest at West Four Total petrol station, 137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
Tube: Turnham Green Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yuqvch


Wednesday 11th June

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm Wednesday 11th June
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1:30-3:00pm Wednesday 11th June
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug