Economy
Education/health
Environment
Human Rights
Migrant Workers
Military
Political Prisoners
Politics
Refugees
Women
Border-based Orgs
Groups from Inside
Junta's Responses
Notable Persons
Overseas Orgs
Reports
Buddhist Communities
Governments
Notable Persons
Organizations/NGOs
Regional Blocs
Reports
UN and Agencies
BurmaIT Team
DVB
FDB
Irrawaddy Magazine
Mizzina News
New Era Journal

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Burma Partnership is pleased to announce that we have launched our new website. We hope it will be a useful tool for governments, journalists, researchers, and especially activists from Burma and all over the world.

You should be automatically redirected in 10 seconds. If not, please visit www.burmapartnership.org and update your bookmarks.

In Solidarity,

Burma Partnership Secretariat

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Burma Update: October 3, 2007

Dear Friends,

This is the update for today. We will continue to update with you on daily basis and we would like to request all our friends and colleagues to be alert as you can see people and students inside show their determination for a free Burma. It is very important that we keep offering supports and take effective actions to help free people of Burma as people are still determined to continue with their peaceful movement.

In Solidarity,

APPPB Secretariat


I. On the Ground inside Burma:

1) Protests in Rangoon: Today around 3.30 pm Burmese time, members of the ‘88 Generation Students swiftly gathered at least in two places -- at Yadanabone Park in Mayneegone and also in East Gate of the Shwedagon Pagoda. We are not able to get the exact number of people attended to this event at two different places but they gathered to commemorate the deaths of heroic monks and people during the brutal crackdown of peaceful protests last week.

Some news from inside Burma that many people in Rangoon participated in ‘Silent Protest’ in which they switched off light and government run evening television program for about fifteen minutes in their subtle protest against the ruthless military rulers.

2) Raids and Suppression: During the continuing raids by the army on daily basis, at least in Yay-dar-shay Street, Bahan Township, one person from each household was picked up and taken away last night (02/10/07).

People in Mon State are ordered not to listen to radio stations like British broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Voice of America (VOA), and Radio Free Asia (RFA) which have Burmese language services by the military authorities. Some cases of harassments and arrests have been made in Mon State to those people defying this order.


II. UN & International Governments Responses:

1) UN Special Envoy: After four days of waiting and shuttling between Naypyidaw and Rangoon, Mr. Gambari had already left Burma yesterday (2/10/07) for New York via Singapore. The detail or result of meeting between him and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military regime’s top leaders is yet to reveal. He will brief the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon tomorrow (4/10/07) and also will brief the UN Security Council on Friday (5/10/07).

2) UN Human Rights Council: Ms. Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Council, has voiced strongly about the situation in Burma and has urged an immediate investigation of the situation in the country.

3) Japan: Japan is still demanding to answer over the death of Japanese national during brutal crackdowns in Rangoon city. Japan is yet to declare halting of its aid to Burma totally. A number of organizations along with Burmese pro-democracy groups in Japan held a candle light vigil for the victims in front of the Burmese embassy two days ago.

4) India: India has only urged the international community to engage in dialogue with Burma while ruling out the UN sanctions from the Security Council saying it should be the ‘last resort’.

5) Switzerland: The Swiss Ambassador to the UN in Geneva demanded the immediate release of peaceful protestors and political prisoners.


III. Solidarity Actions in the Region & Around the World:

1) Amnesty International(AI): The AI in London calls on the UNSC to impose an immediate arms embargo on Burma for its violent crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators.

2) Trades Union Congress: The TUC yesterday urged tourists to stay away from Burma because of the military crackdown and said guidebooks promoting holidays there should be withdrawn.

3) Solidarity Actions: Burmese people living abroad continue to join hands and lend the moral support for their fellow citizens and courageous people who took to the streets to voice for freedom and justice. They are joined by tens of thousands of friends around the world. The demonstrations and candle light vigils in front of Burmese, Chinese, Russian and Indian embassies in a number of cities in various countries in the world are held almost in daily basis at different times and places. Among those countries include Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, UK, Finland, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Canada, US, Timor Leste, Australia, and New Zealand.

There are also a number of other initiatives and actions that include statements and petitions and letters to the governments of China, India, Russia, and Asean, and also to the UN Secretary General, the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council.

No comments: