pipcocampbell, 12 Nov 2008 11:21 hours
Mae Sot, Thailand Saffron Revolution Dear patient Readers,
A six-months gap since I last scribed, so this new blog may come as something of a surprise. However, events have not stood still in Burma and, I hope you will agree with me, an update is overdue. Not that we don't have enough to worry about -- from Darfur and the Congo, the collapse of the Western World as we know it -- but Britain has special links as the former colonial power in Burma and yet how much do we know or read about it? Since the Saffron Revolution 14 months ago -- the red robed monks being beaten in the streets of Rangoon -- a deep, silent tide has closed over that country and our memories are embalmed.
So this blog is both to wake us up and to propose positive action as described in the e-mail I received this morning from Burma Campaign. When Sarah and I visited Burma earlier this year the monasteries we visited were nearly empty, the monks of a certain age missing, only the old and very young showing us round. We know many monks died, and others literally took to the hills, but many were imprisoned in Insein (pronounced "insane" ) prison in Rangoon, the heart of the General’s torture machine. After languishing there these 14 months, the ‘ trials’, for such crimes as "electronic intrigue" have concluded in the sentences of 65 years Insein. The Generals have not lost their touch. If their grip weakened slightly during the cyclone in May, with some Western aid agencies gaining a very limited access, their Control today is again absolute. Perhaps the only chink in their armour might be the long-awaited visit next month by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. Hence, I copy the e-mail I received this morning which I hope you might feel strongly enough to act upon. It speaks for itself:
Dear friend
Today the regime sentenced 14 leading democracy activists in Burma to 65 years in prison. If they are forced to serve their full terms, they will die in jail. The sentences were handed down at around 1pm, behind closed doors in Insein prison special court in Rangoon. Family members were not allowed to attend the hearing. The sentences today relate to only five charges. They are all charged with a total of 21 charges and face further sentences as their trials continue.
Those sentenced are all prominent members of the 88 Generation Students group, which led the peaceful demonstrations last September.
In a separate hearing held in Insein prison special court, labour activist Su Su Nwe was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months.
Take action. Please send an email to the UN Security Council urging Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma and make the release of political prisoners his top priority:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/un_action.html
Only yesterday EU foreign ministers met and called for the release of all political prisoners. The EU promised to increase pressure on the regime if there was no progress to reform, but despite the situation getting worse they have taken no action.
The UN must act. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is due to visit Burma in December, but there are fears he may back out of the visit because of the difficulties in negotiating with the regime. These sentences make it all the more important that Ban Ki-moon goes ahead with his visit. We have had 37 visits to Burma by UN envoys, but things have only got worse. We need his personal engagement on Burma.
Take action.
Send an email to the UN Security Council urging Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma and make the release of political prisoners his top priority. Take action here:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/un_action.html
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes
Anna Roberts
The Burma Campaign UK
A final comment from me, Philip. Some of you may already know that I am returning to Thailand in January to continue working with the Burmese Migrants there for VSO -- a story I will write about some other time -- but I get such disparate e-mails from readers of this blog that I am uncertain exactly for whom I am writing. Mainly, it's for myself -- being selfish -- but it is also intriguing to know the people that it reaches -- if any. So comments, even the shortest, thoughts and participation are all encouraged and valued.
Yours,STBFAPA,(Soon to Be Far Away Philip Again).
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