Australia must support democracy in Burma

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.