Email UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon now calling on him to go to Burma.

On Monday 10th March the UN Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, left Burma empty handed after the regime rejected every proposal he made for restoring democracy in Burma.

It was the 35th visit to Burma by a UN envoy in the past 18 years, and there has not been a single reform to show for any of them. In fact, the human rights situation has got much worse.

We can’t have another 18 years of suffering in Burma, another 18 years of torture, rape and ethnic cleansing.

It is time the UN woke up to the fact that this regime has been lying to UN envoys for almost two decades. It does not want reform and it is not interested in democracy.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon should take over the process. He should have the backing of a binding Security Council resolution, which under international law will force the regime to reform.

Take action here:

Thank you.

Anna Roberts
The Burma Campaign UK

Dear Friend
I am writing today with very sad news. On Thursday 14th February Padoh Mahn Sha, the father of one of our staff members, Zoya Phan, was assassinated by agents of the military regime in Burma. Two gunmen came to his house and shot him in the chest.

Padoh Mahn Sha was General Secretary of the Karen National Union, which represents the Karen ethnic group in Burma in their struggle for democracy and human rights.

He was a greatly respected leader who had dedicated his life for the struggle for freedom. He was killed because of his effective and principled stand against the regime.

His assassination is yet more evidence, as if it were needed, that the regime is determined to cling on to power, no matter what. They see leaders, such as Padoh Mahn Sha, who speak out for freedom and justice, as a threat to their survival.

Many of you will have seen Zoya Phan speak at events and on television news or seen her articles in our magazine. You can view some of her speeches on our website.

Zoya and her brothers and sister have set up a fund in memory of their father. Donations can be made online at http://www.zoyaphan.com. The fund will be used to tackle poverty and provide education in Karen state, two issues very close to Padoh Mahn Sha¹s heart. You can donate by credit card from any country or you can send a cheque made out to ŒBurma Campaign UK¹ and post it to Padoh Mahn Sha Fund, care of Burma Campaign UK, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT, UK.

A statement from the children of Padoh Mahn Sha, released on the day of his death, follows below.

Anna Roberts
Director, The Burma Campaign UK

Statement from the children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan

We are very sad to lose a great father and a great leader.

We were lucky to have a father who was caring and full of love. He gave us guidance and support, and taught us tolerance and to stand against injustice. He could not give us wealth or luxury, but ensured that we had an education and the opportunity to fulfill our potential

He was always humble, yet a strong and brave leader. He dedicated his life to the struggle, and always put the welfare of his people and his country before himself. His example of determination and self-sacrifice to win our freedom won him the love and respect of not just the Karen people, but also the Burmese democracy movement and of freedom loving people around the world.

He will be remembered by many not only as an inspirational leader, but also on a personal level for the many acts of kindness he performed for those who needed help.

We are proud to be his children, as all Karen people and all people who long for freedom in Burma are proud of him.

Our father may be dead, but we will remember him. He taught us that it was our duty to work for the Karen people, and as his children we will continue his dedicated work towards true freedom for our people and peace in our country.

His determination for freedom and democracy lives on within us and within the Karen people. He did not live to see freedom for our people, but his dream will be fulfilled. The Karen, and all the people of Burma, will be free.

We will be establishing a foundation in memory of our father. Donations can be made online at www.zoyaphan.com

Saw Say Say
Nant Bwa Bwa Phan
Nant Zoya Phan
Slone Phan

A brief biography of Padoh Mahn Sha
Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan was born in Rangoon on 5th July 1943.
He graduated from Rangoon University in 1966 with a degree in history.

He joined the Karen National Union (KNU) in 1963. In 1964 he became a member of the KNU Central Committee, and was elected Joint General Secretary in 1995. He was elected General Secretary in 2000, and is also a member of the Secretariat of the National Council of the Union of Burma, the umbrella organisation representing organisations in the Burmese democracy movement.

Padoh Mahn Sha married Nant Kyin Shwe in 1976. She passed away on 31st July 2004. He is survived by four children, two sons and two daughters; Saw Say Say, Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Nant Zoya Phan, Slone Phan

To make a donation to the Padoh Mahn Sha fund, please visit http://www.zoyaphan.com

If you are not already a member of the Burma Campaign UK e-mail network, and would like to receive these updates directly, you can subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to:
burmacampaign-subscribe@lists.burmacampaign.org.uk

The Burma Campaign UK
Registered Company No. 3804730
Registered office address
28 Charles Square
London N1 6HT

Burma Regime Defies UN with Sham Referendum and Election

09 Feb 2008

The Burma Campaign UK today called on the United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency session to discuss the Burmese regime’s defiance of Security Council and General Assembly demands.

On Saturday 9 February the junta announced that it would hold a referendum on a new constitution in May, and general elections in 2010. However, the constitution enshrines military rule, giving 25 percent of the seats to the military, and also gives the military effective veto power over decisions made by Parliament.

³This is a move away from democracy, not towards it,² said Mark Farmaner, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. ³It is public relations spin because they are afraid of stronger sanctions being imposed. They are defying the Security Council by going ahead with this sham process and refusing to hold genuine talks with Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of ethnic groups. There needs to be a strong international response to say that this will not be accepted.²

By going ahead with the next steps of its so-called 7 stage road map to democracy, the regime is sending a strong message that it is not genuine about engaging with the United Nations in a real process of national reconciliation and reform. The regime has yet to enter into genuine dialogue with the National League for Democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi. It has, in effect, banned UN Envoy Ibrahim Gambari from entering the country. A visit scheduled for December was delayed until January, and then pushed back to April. This prompted the UN Security Council to issue its second Presidential statement on Burma, calling for Gambari to be allowed into the country.

It is no coincidence that the announcement comes at a time when the regime is facing increasing economic sanctions following its brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in September last year. The USA, EU, Australia, and Canada have all announced new economic sanctions. Last week the USA introduced new sanctions targeting business cronies of the regime, and further sanctions are being considered by Congress. The EU is also considering strengthening sanctions when it renews the EU Common Position in April.

The regime’s claims that it is committed to moving towards democracy run completely at odds with the facts on the ground. Since the September uprising they have continued to arrest activists. There are now more than 1,800 political prisoners, an increase of more than 700 from the year before. The regime is also stepping up its campaign of ethnic cleansing in Eastern Burma. The UN has condemned the regime for breaking the Geneva Convention by deliberately targeting civilians in Eastern Burma. More than half a million people are internally displaced after being forced to flee their homes.

The Burma Campaign UK is also warning that the regime will do everything it can to fix the outcome of the referendum and elections. There are serious questions about its ability to hold a referendum in which all people can participate. There are no proper lists of potential voters in the country.
The junta¹s definition of a referendum could include forcing people to attend mass public rallies, and then to claim that as a mandate. In addition, political parties such as the National League for Democracy are not allowed to operate freely. It is also illegal to criticise the draft constitution, and to do so is punishable by up to 20 years in jail.

³The regime lost the election in 1990, so just ignored the result,² said Mark Farmaner. ³This time we can be sure every stage will be rigged to ensure military victory.²

The Burma Campaign UK is concerned not only about the fact that the process is designed to keep the generals in power, but also about the impact on ethnic people in Burma, and on ceasefire agreements with armed ethnic groups. Their aspirations are for a federal state that would provide a degree of autonomy from central government, and protect their culture and rights. There are no provisions for this in the constitution. This is not only a threat to ethnic people, but also threatens the stability of the country. There appears to be a real possibility that some ceasefire organisations could return to arms, or split, with factions once again taking up their guns. If this were to happen on a large scale, it would not only completely change the current political situation within the country, but also threaten a new human rights and humanitarian crisis, as the regime ruthlessly targets civilians in conflict areas.

³What the regime has announced has nothing to do with democracy,² said Mark Farmaner. ³It is about preserving military rule and avoiding economic sanctions. The international community must not be fooled again. The United Nations Security Council must take action. In addition, the UK and EU must impose further targeted sanctions to help force the regime to the negotiating table.²

Only one thing has changed.
The conditions that caused the marches are still in place.
But the monks are not on the streets or in their monasteries.
The stranglehold on the people tightens.
Pray
Write
Campaign.

Dear friend

Thank you for your support over the recent months. Your campaigning is making a difference.

Campaign success – DFID doubles aid to Burma
In October we asked you to email the Department for International Development (DFID) to call for increased aid to Burma. Thousands of you took the action and following our campaign, DFID have announced that they will double British aid to Burma from £8.8 million this year to £18 million by 2010. This will save hundreds of thousands of lives. Thank you to everyone who took the action.

New EU Sanctions
On 15 October EU Foreign Ministers finally agreed to strengthen targeted sanctions against Burma’s military regime. The new measures include a ban on investment in, and imports of, Burmese timber, metals and gems. It is also considering a ban on all new investment if the regime does not enter into genuine dialogue with the democracy movement.

These are the first sanctions by the EU that will actually hurt the regime and cut off an important source of income. However, the EU needs to continue to increase pressure on the regime by imposing the investment ban as soon as possible and increasing targeted sanctions, such as a ban on financial transactions. We will be contacting you in the New Year for action on this.

New Burma Campaign T-shirts
Burma Campaign UK has teamed up with THTC to create a great new T-shirt. The T-shirts are certified fair trade, organic, and are made of 55% organic hemp and 45% organic cotton. All profits go to the Burma Campaign UK.

Order online here for men and here for women. £25 + P&P

Peace Walk from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square – 5 January 2008
On the 60th Anniversary of Burma’s Independence, the Burmese community will be leading a Peace Walk in London from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square

The walk will be followed by a Prayer Service in Trafalgar Square, led by The International Burmese Monks Organization (UK) and supported by Pray for Freedom Volunteers Programme.

5 January 2008
Meet at 11:30am at Marble Arch Hardstanding
Nearest Tube: Marble Arch, exit 3

Begin Peace Walk led by monks at 12:30pm
Arrive at Trafalgar Square at approximately 2pm for Prayer service led by Buddhist monks.

Thank you again for all your support this year and here’s to successful campaigning in 2008.

Anna Roberts
The Burma Campaign UK

Burma is now well and truly out of the news, but nothing in the country has changed. The brutal military regime is still in place, Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest, monks are still imprisoned and being mistreated, and the general population suffers under a harsh regime which thrives on keeping them in poverty and fear.

Don’t forget Burma is a website set up with a self explanatory name. It’s a creative site asking you to post a photo with the words ‘Don’t forget Burma’. The reason for this website is to show that we have not forgotten.

As my friends know I am half Burmese, my dad being Burmese, and so it is true that I have a particular passion and interest to see justice in this country. But you do not need to have a connection with Burma to realise that the brutally of what is happening here is wrong and needs to be changed.

Please keep campaigning, Post a picture, join the facebook group but more importantly keep writing to your MP and, if you can, visit a surgery – words were spoken by politicians when the protests and violent clampdowns were on our TV screens, now that the images have vanished we need to encourage our government to act on those words.

PROTEST AT CHINESE EMBASSY
Aung San Suu Kyi reaches 12 years in detention today. If you can, join the protest today 12 noon-1pm, 49 Portland Place, London, W1B 9JL. (Nearest tube Regents Park or Oxford Circus).

SUPPORT THE NON-STOP VIGIL IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE The Burmese community in London is holding a non-stop protest 24 hours a day
7 days a week in Parliament Sq, opposite the House of Commons. They want to ensure the world does not forget what has happened in Burma. Please join them.

Each evening there is a special themed protest from 6-8pm Monday ­ Christian Night Tuesday ­ Trade Union Night Wednesday ­ Buddhist Night Thursday ­ Women¹s Night Friday ­ Muslim Night.

The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed an announcement by the European Union that it will impose targeted sanctions against the regime in Burma. The EU has agreed a ban on investment in, and imports of, Burmese timber, metals and gems. It is also considering a ban on all new investment if the regime does not enter into genuine dialogue with the democracy movement.

Great to see that the EU has come to a decision. You can read more here.

Things come and go in the news and when issues disappear from front pages we move on in our interest. Terrible things are still happening in Burma – please read this latest update from Burma Campaign UK and act upon what you read if you can.

Dear Friend

The true scale of the horrific crackdown on peaceful protesters in Burma is not yet known. Thousands have been arrested, and hundreds killed. We have received reports of crematoriums working through the night on the outskirts of Rangoon.

The first priority for the Burma Campaign UK was to make sure that the world knew what was happening in Burma. The question now is, how will the world respond?

10,000 people marched through the streets of London on Saturday, and 200 protests took place in 30 countries around the world. Click here
and here to see pictures.

And the pressure is working. We are pleased to be able to tell you that the British government is now using its considerable diplomatic resources to push for international action on Burma. The government is backing many of the steps we have been campaigning on for so long, such as action by the United Nations Security Council, targeted economic sanctions by the European Union, and the personal engagement of the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. You can view our media release here.

BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET! The United Nations Security Council has still not agreed on a statement condemning the brutal crackdown, and the European Union has yet to agree on targeted economic sanctions. Now is a critical time, please spare a couple of minutes to take these urgent actions.

TAKE ACTION
The Burma Campaign UK and MTV have joined forces again to call for action by the United Nations Security Council. Click here to email the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

TAKE ACTION
Email European Union governments calling on them to agree targeted economic sanctions that will ensure European companies no longer help pay for the guns and the bullets used against peaceful protesters in Burma. Click here.

Thank you for your support.

Anna Roberts
The Burma Campaign UK