(Press Release)
8th August 2009
Twenty-one years ago, on this day of 8th August 1988, millions of Burmese people took to the streets across the country demanding an end to long military rule, restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma. But the military started brutal crackdowns and killed an estimated 3000 peaceful demonstrators nationwide. Till today there have been no independent inquiries conducted against the military about this massacre.
The ruling military SPDC goes on to hijack the legitimate aspiration of the Burmese people, and it continues to defy the calls of the international community for national reconciliation and democratic reforms while creating great political and humanitarian crises in the country.
The regime commits crimes against humanity of rape, murder, destructions, extermination and other in human acts across the country, particularly in ethnic areas. All these push factors also cause constant refugees’ flights into neighbouring countries posing a threat to regional and international peace and security. The Rohingya of Arakan have been living in sub-human condition facing slow-burning genocide with no rights of man.
Burma's military regime has just completed a new constitution that guarantees military rule for decades to come through sham election to be held in 2010. In a shameless attempt the regime has put leader of the democracy movement Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in notorious In Sein Jail under false and fabricated charges in utter disregard of UN and international public opinion.
It is a crucial time. The unity and solidarity of all peoples of the country is vital. It demands sincere efforts, high spirit and sacrifice to bring the military rule to an end.
It is high time for the UN to form a commission of enquiry to compile evidence of crimes against humanity for prosecution. We thank South African Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu for calling for specific measures by the UN Security Council.
We call on the UN and the international community to put more pressure on the SPDC to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners and to start national reconciliation.
For contact:
Nurul Islam, Phone: + 44-7947 854 652,
AFK Jilani, Phone: + 880-1674 811 079
Email: info_arno@yahoo.com