Burma

Australia remembers Burmese struggle for democracy

justin — 2009-09-28T23:09:13Z

Dr Kaye who will be speaking at events to mark the second anniversary of the first day of the vicious military reprisals against monks, students and ordinary citizens, said: "Thousands of Burmese people were beaten, locked up or killed for exercising the basic right to protest.

"Today the world remembers the courage of those who suffered and died as the regime continues to terrorise its population and pilfer the nation's wealth.

"This week the NSW Upper House unanimously condemned the violence used against the citizens of Burma and called for free and open elections.

"The Australian government must redouble its efforts to free the 2,211 political prisoners held in appalling conditions.

"The international community must not recognise elections scheduled to be held next year under a constitution that ensures that the military continues to hold unchecked power in Burma," Dr Kaye said.

Commemorative events today: 12:30 pm memorial protest, Pitt St Mall (outside Myers, walking to Hyde Park). 6:00 pm Villawood Senior Citizens Hall, Villawood Rd., Villawood. Organised by Burma Campaign Sydney.

Resolution of the NSW Upper House – 24 September 2009

Dr Kaye moved, according to notice: That this House:
(a)    recognises that 26 September 2009 marks the second anniversary of the brutal crackdown by the Burmese regime on protesters during the Saffron Revolution,
(b)    deplores the violence used by the Burmese regime against its own citizens engaging in legitimate peaceful protest,
(c)    calls on the Burmese regime to release the 2,211 political activists held in Burmese prisons, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and
(d)    calls on the Burmese regime to enter into genuine negotiations with the Burmese democracy movement to progress towards full, free and open elections that will restore democracy and human rights in Burma.

Question put and passed.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455

Rudd govt called on to drop support for Burma's dodgy election plans

justin — 2009-05-27T00:47:49Z

President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma and NSW MP John Kaye said: "Today is the nineteenth anniversary of the last Burmese election which was won in a landslide by democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party.

"MPs elected in 1990 have never been allowed to take their seats and the repression and abuse of human rights has continued unabated.

"New elections are now scheduled to be held next year under the anti-democratic constitution rammed through in 2008.

"The military and their collaborators are guaranteed to maintain control no matter which party has the support of the Burmese people.

"While the European Union and the USA have rejected the elections, the Rudd government is badly out of step, with ineffectual calls for voting to be 'free and fair'.

"Aung San Suu Kyi faces trumped up charges to keep her out of the political life of Burma and another 2,100 political prisoners suffer under appalling conditions.

"The Rudd government must accept the reality that no election could be 'free and fair' under this constitution and with many opposition leaders in exile or held as political prisoners.

"The Australian government is deserting the Burmese people who have shown their determination to shed the military dictatorship and move to an era of democracy and human rights.

"The rally will demand that Australia joins the USA and the EU and reject the Burmese election," Dr Kaye said.

Rally details: 12 noon Martin Place, Sydney. Mock ballot forms will be distributed.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Burmese military frame democracy leader again

justin — 2009-05-18T01:05:40Z

Dr Kaye who is also a NSW MP said: "The Burmese military have demonstrated a complete disregard for the law of their own country and international legal conventions.

"Just as they continue to use rape against ethnic groups, slave labour and child soldiers, they have set about disenfranchising the Burmese people by excluding National League for Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the ballot paper.

"The elections scheduled for 2010 are being held under the 2008 constitution which is anti-democratic and in flagrant violation of international standards.

"Even though they have effectively already rigged the outcome, the military know that Aung San Suu Kyi has an excellent chance of breaking through their wall of deceit.

"She like thousands of other democracy activists is being held illegally in detention.

"There can be no free and fair elections without the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

"It is a moral obligation on the rest of the world to support the Burmese people's aspirations for democracy and human rights.

"Around Australia, friends of the Burmese people are rallying today to send a strong message against the framing of that country's outstanding democracy leader.

"The Australian government must refuse to accept the outcome of any election held in a country with more than 2,100 political prisoners.

"It's time to get tough on the enemies of Burmese democracy," Dr Kaye said.

Former Burmese political prisoner speaks out on Human Rights day

justin — 2009-01-13T23:33:02Z

U Tin Tut MP said: "215 Burmese political prisoners received sentences of up to 65 years in November this year alone.

"I have been a political prisoner. My crime was that I am an elected MP of National League for Democracy from Burma.

"Whilst in prison I was treated inhumanely and was psychologically tortured. It was a terrible, terrible situation that I faced. I can imagine how the other political prisoners suffer.

"My son, Sithu Tut, was also a political prisoner. Each time he was arrested he was severely physically tortured.

"My detention and my son's was illegal and unjust, and the detention of all other political prisoners in Burma is illegal and unjust.

"The Australian government needs to be more active in securing the release of over 2,000 political prisoners in Burma who are fighting for human rights and democracy," Mr U Tin Tut said.

John Kaye who is also President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma said: "Today the world celebrates International Human Rights Day while thousands of Burmese languish in gaol in appalling conditions for no crime other than asserting their right to protest.

"The Rudd government should increase pressure on that military dictatorship that maintains power by using terror against its own citizens.

"The spirit and courage of the people of Burma and their commitment to restoring democracy after 56 years of dictatorship remains strong.

"With the international community's help, Burma can once again be free," Dr Kaye said.

Saffron Revolution 1st anniversary focuses on human rights for Burma

justin — 2008-10-01T07:45:47Z

Dr Kaye who is also the President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma, said: "More than 700 monks, nuns and other protestors remain in appalling conditions in gaol for exercising their fundamental right to protest.

"One year ago the Burmese military displayed the violence and brutality for which they are rightly infamous.

"Having driven the country to the edge of economic collapse, the only way the dictatorship could maintain control was by intimidating the country into submission with beatings, arbitrary arrests and systematic torture.

"In late September 2007, hundreds of thousands of monks, nuns, activists and ordinary citizens turned out in peaceful protest against the regime on the streets of Rangoon and many other cities and towns throughout Burma.

"At least 31 protesters were killed and 3,000 arrested, including 18 elected MPs and many monks and nuns. Monasteries were invaded and ransacked and monks beaten and tortured.

"One year on the world must not turn its back on the plight of the Burmese.

"The anniversary commemorations today refocus the world's attention onto the need to maintain the pressure on the military dictatorship.

"We are calling for the parliament that was elected in 1990 to convene and oversee the process of national reconciliation and the withdrawal of the military from politics.

"The democratic spirit of the Burmese people remains unbroken. With the international community's help, the country can once again be free," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Media Alert: Sydney 1st Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution Event
12:30 pm; Saturday 27 September 2008
Rally at Sydney Town Hall with march to Hyde Park Water Fountain

Twenty years after 8/8/88 uprising, Burmese military regime still brutal and undemocratic

justin — 2008-08-08T01:26:18Z

Dr Kaye, who is also a member of the NSW Parliament, said: "On the day on which the world remembers the innocent Burmese murdered by the military in the uprising two decades ago, we call on the Australian government to ensure that the children of those responsible for atrocities against their people are not being educated in this country.

"It is time for the Rudd government to increase pressure on the regime by expelling these students and freezing all Australian bank accounts associated with the regime.

"Australia should not give comfort to those who have grown wealthy by stealing from their own country. At least three children of senior military figures are reported to be living in Sydney.

"Just as in last September's 'Saffron Revolution', on the eighth day of the eighth month of eighty eight, decades of incompetent, corrupt and repressive dictatorship drove a famously tolerant and peaceful Burmese people onto the streets.

"And like last year's unprovoked attacks on the demonstrators, the military responded with systematic bashings, arbitrary arrests and torture and widespread murder.

"The events of twenty years ago not only demonstrated the viciousness of the military and their determination to maintain a vice-like grip on the power to pillage their country regardless of the human cost.

"It also showed the courage of the people of Burma and their commitment to restoring democracy after 56 years of dictatorship.

"In 1988 Australia disgracefully was the first country to recognise the repressive military dictatorship that emerged from the chaos of the uprising.

"Twenty years later it is well past time we undid that mistake and gave every assistance to the Burmese people struggling to be free," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

The ACDB is a cross-party coalition of Federal and State Parliamentarians committed to the restoration of democracy in Burma.

NSW Upper House passes motion in support of Burmese people

justin — 2008-08-08T01:31:06Z

The motion was moved by the Greens NSW MP John Kaye who is also the
President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma. It was
passed unanimously by the Legislative Council.

Dr Kaye said: "Cyclone Nargis has had a appalling impact on the people
of Irrawaddy Delta. It appears that up to 100,000 people have been
killed and many more are homeless, without access to clean water or
food.

"The Burmese regime has yet again failed its people. Instead of opening
up to international offers of help, it has frustrated access and covered
its tracks by expelling foreign journalists.

“The Burmese people have suffered under 46 years of brutal and
incompetent military dictatorship. The tragedy of Cyclone Nargis has
been made much worse by the failure of the regime to prepare the region
for these events.

“The Upper House also called on the Burmese regime to suspend the
voting on the referendum to introduce a new constitution planned for
this weekend," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Motion passed by the NSW Legislative Council Thursday 8 May 2008

Dr Kaye moved

1. That this House expresses its deepest sympathy to the people of
Burma who have suffered massive devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis and
the ensuing tidal surges.

2. That this House calls on the Burmese regime:

(a) to lift restrictions that are frustrating access to the affected
areas by international aid agencies, and

(b) postpone voting on the constitutional referendum throughout the
country in order to concentrate on delivering assistance to those
affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Burma sits on the knife edge

janise — 2008-10-19T23:31:31Z

Coalition President Dr John Kaye MLC said: “We are advised that the situation in Burma could go either way.

“If the world takes its eyes off the military regime, then this poor nation will be consigned to brutal and thuggish dictatorship for years to come. The military are waiting for international attention to slip away.

“With renewed pressure on the regime, there is a real sense that the military could be driven back into the barracks and the first steps taken towards democracy and human rights.

“This week the Japanese government played its part by cutting aid to the regime. The European Union imposed sanctions including trade embargos on wood, metals and gems from Burma.

“These restrictions give real impact to the condemnation of the violence against innocent civilians and show the military dictatorship that the world is serious about change.

“Meanwhile the Australian government continues to fund training of Burmese intelligence officers and brings Burmese police to Australia for instruction at the Australian Federal Police Centre.

“The Howard government is standing outside the international move to put economic and political pressure on the Burmese military junta.

“As we head into an election in Australia, we owe it to the Burmese people to stop this destructive support of the intelligence machine and to become leaders in the international effort to bring about change,” Dr Kaye said.

Burmese community hunger strike enters second day

janise — 2008-10-19T23:31:30Z

Hunger striker Banyar Aye said: “We are going without food for two days to draw attention to the plight of the Burmese people.

“The situation in our country has reached a critical point. Intervention from the UN and support from Australia are essential if we are to free ourselves and restore democracy and human rights.

“Ours is a nation in mourning for the people killed. The military dictatorship has turned the streets of Rangoon into a slaughterhouse and turned loose the paid thugs to beat and humiliate the monks and the protestors.

“The prisons are full. Many monks being held illegally in detention are badly wounded and in need of medical attention but they are refusing any assistance from the military,” Banyar Aye said.

A second hunger striker, Min Thet Naing said: “Those countries that believe in democracy and human rights have an obligation to the people of Burma not to turn their backs on us.

“The monks and the students have staked their lives on bringing the military dictatorship to an end and restoring democracy and human rights.

“Our hunger strike is a plea to the UN and to the democratic nations to increase the pressure on the Burmese and to make sure that this time there is real change in Burma,” said Min Thet Naing.

Protest outside Burmese embassy demands troops return to barracks

janise — 2008-10-19T23:31:30Z

Maung Maung Than said: “We want the Burmese dictatorship to know that every Australian is in deep shock over the shootings, bashing and imprisonments in Rangoon and elsewhere in Burma.

“Nine people are now dead, including a Japanese reporter. Many more are injured.

“We want the Burmese regime to also know that the whole world is watching as they turn the might of their military machine onto the innocent people of their country.

“It would be a mistake for the dictatorship to think that they will get away with suppressing human rights and democracy.

“The rally today is calling for the regime to pull the troops and the paramilitary off the streets and allow peaceful protest to go ahead.

“Burma is a nation brought its knees by the military and their inhumane and destructive regime.

“There is only one way forward. The regime must end the repression, free the prisoners and recommence the process of national reconciliation.

“The future of Burma depends on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi who is the only person who could now restore order without violence.

“The rally today will let the Burmese government know that the world is watching.

“It will also let the Howard government know that the people of Australia demand nothing less than its full attention to this problem. Without international pressure, the regime will be allowed to get away with yet another brutal crackdown.

“With international help, the Burmese people will be able to free themselves at last and restore democracy and human rights,” Mr Maung Maung Than said.

Burmese Junta violence requires tough sanctions

janise — 2007-09-27T01:13:11Z

Dr Kaye said: “Tear gas and beatings have been used against a peaceful protest in Rangoon. There have been mass arrest involving about 100 protestors and bullets were fired over the head of the crowd. We understand that five monks have died.

“The Howard government must condemn this latest act of violent repression of the movement for democracy in Burma.

“The last time there were demonstrations on this scale in Burma, the protests were brutally crushed by the authorities, with the loss of thousands of lives.

“This nation cannot stand by and allow this to happen again. This time the Burmese people must be set free without the loss of life, torture and arbitrary imprisonment.

“Australia has a moral obligation to do everything in its power to prevent a recurrence of these events. Howard must act now,” Dr Kaye said.

The Vice President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma, Penny Sharpe MLC, urged Sydneysiders to attend an emergency lunchtime protest in Martin Place behind the Fountain at 12.30 pm, today, Thursday 27 September.

“Foreign Minister Downer’s comments yesterday in New York were a good start, but the Australian Government must act, not just talk. Economic sanctions, a downgrading of diplomatic relations and withdrawal of investment are necessary.

“As citizens of the world committed to human rights and freedoms, all of us have a responsibility to pressure the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to take a strong stand.

“Anyone unable to attend the rally should email Alexander Downer at the Department of Foreign Affairs to let him know that the Australian people want their Government to speak out in support of the Burmese democracy protesters,” Ms Sharpe said.

Protest against Burma crimes to put pressure on Downer

janise — 2007-09-27T01:16:28Z

Dr Kaye said: “The Burmese people have stepped up their challenge to the dictatorship and the Howard government is sitting on its hands.

“Around the country, Buddhist monks are defying the brutal crackdown by the police, army and paramilitary. Thousands of saffron-robed religious orders are staging marches through the streets of Burma, directly defying bans on public dissent.

“Other democracy activists continue to take brave protest action to highlight the repression of democracy, the collapse of the economy and rising fuel prices.

“On Tuesday tear gas was fired into a protest of about 1,000 Burmese Buddhist monks and civilian demonstrators in the north-western city of Sittwe. Three or four monks were arrested as the crowd were attacked and scattered.

“The Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma is deeply concerned that without international help, the dictatorship will feel they can get away with a brutal crackdown on these lawful and peaceful protests.

“We call on the Howard government to pull out all stops and put pressure on the Burmese junta to respect human rights and restore democracy.

“There is no time to waste. Foreign Minister Downer should call in the Burmese representatives in Australia and make it very clear that this country will no longer tolerate arbitrary arrest, torture and suppression of the results of the democratic election held a decade ago,” Dr Kaye said.

Australia must support democracy in Burma

janise — 2007-09-27T01:11:48Z

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the 1988 coup that installed a military junta which has since ruled Burma with an iron fist.

Dr Kaye said “The Burmese people have recently stepped up their nonviolent campaign to restore democracy and secure the release of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

“Yesterday 700 monks were joined by over a thousand protestors in a peaceful march to demonstrate against the brutal crackdown on monks engaged in peaceful protest two weeks ago.

“The monks have also begun a religious boycott of government officials, by refusing to accept alms from them, effectively declaring them beyond the pale of religious life.

“This is a very significant development that deserves the support of the outside world. Today a number of Burmese community groups in Sydney will be handing over a protest message to the Chinese Consulate, which represents Burma.

“The Australian Government needs to take more active steps to support them and condemn the Burmese junta’s violent repression.

“Australia should use its special relationship with China to put pressure on the Burmese regime to end the wholesale abuse of human rights.

“Foreign Minister Downer can not longer sit on his hands and watch arbitrary detention and torture. The government has tuned a blind eye to the Burmese regime and its appalling track record on suppressing democracy.

“This must come to an end,” Dr Kaye said.

Downer must act to stop crimes against humanity in Burma

janise — 2007-09-27T01:15:00Z

Ms Sharpe said “Since the middle of August the Burmese people have been protesting against hikes in petrol and commodities prices. They have also been expressing their opposition to military rule and calling for a restoration of democracy.

“The regime has responded with brutality. Arrests and torture of those who participated in the demonstrations have been widespread.

“On the 5th of September Buddhist monks were peacefully participating in a community demonstration. The military and the regime’s militia opened fire with warning shots to intimidate the monks.

“Many monks were savagely beaten in full view of the public. Many were also arrested for participation in a peaceful protest.

“Even US President George Bush has acknowledged the atrocities being perpetrated by the regime and called for change.

“It is well past time that the Howard government voiced its concern for the rights of the people of Burma.

“This cannot be allowed to go on. There are more protests scheduled for this week and without outside intervention wholesale arrests and arbitrary torture will continue unabated.

“Foreign Minister Downer has one last chance to speak up to stop crimes against humanity in Burma. We urge him to act now and lend Australia’s support to the restoration of democracy and the release of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners,” Ms Sharpe said.