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Laureates Honor One-Year Anniversary of Saffron Revolution
On the one-year anniversary of nationwide nonviolent protests dubbed the Saffron Revolution in Burma, the women Laureates of the Nobel Women's Initiative honor the courage and determination of the men and women of Burma. We call for the immediate release of all Burma's political prisoners, including sister laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and Nilar Thein—a woman rights defender and leading pro-democracy activist arrested just last week. Indeed half of Burma's 2000 political prisoners were arrested in the wake of this uprising.
We urge that the call of the people of Burma - for democracy- finally be heeded by the junta.
In honor of the one-year anniversary of the remarkable Saffron Revolution, we are releasing a video in support of the people of Burma. Check it out below or here.
Read more Nobel Women's Initiative news about Burma here.Visit our Take Action section here:
Links:
Women's League of Burma
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
Read more »Honoring Aung San Suu Kyi: Another Birthday in detention
As she and the people of her country continue to struggle for freedom, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will turn 63 today while spending yet another year under house arrest. While her work carries on all over the world, we honor our sister laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the ongoing struggles of the Burmese people.
As Nilar Thein, a former student leader in the 1988 democracy uprising in Burma and political prisoner, wrote in The Nation (Thailand),
"My mind wanders to University Avenue, where "the Lady", Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has been detained under house arrest for so many years. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, will have to spend her 63rd birthday today alone in detention. She will be missing her two sons, too. Her strength and determination helps me and many women in Burma stand up for justice. I thank her for being with us and leading our movement. She is a great reminder to the world that the military junta that rules our country forcibly separates mothers and children."
Aung San Suu Kyi has dedicated her life to democracy and human rights. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) overwhelmingly won a 1990 general election, yet she has been detained in her home without trial for 13 of the past 19 years, and continuously since May 2003. We honor our sister laureate today for her 'freedom from fear', for her commitment to nonviolence and determination to address the needs of her country and her people.
As international aid trickles in to Burma following the cyclone, we urge world leaders, in Asia and throughout the world, to work for democracy and freedom in Burma. We strongly believe that solutions to Burma’s current humanitarian crisis are very much tied to its on-going political crisis. As Min Zin noted in The Irrawaddy, "Engaging humanitarian work and pushing for genuine political transition should not be mutually exclusive. The international community must renew its attention on Burma’s political crisis."
We call upon the international community to meet with all stakeholders, including and others struggling for democracy when conducting humanitarian relief assessments and visits. We urge the international community to continue to actively work to implement arms embargoes against the military regime. It is time for freedom, freedom of movement for the people of Burma, and freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi.
MEDIA COVERAGE
• Who will save Burma's women and children?, The Nation, 19 June 2008
• An appeal for Burma's women, Boston Globe, 19 June 2008
• Suu Kyi clebrates birthday with no hope of being freed soon, Mizzima, 18 June 2008
• Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd Birthday today: Burma Monks urge UN Security Council to safeguard Burmese people, Asian Tribune, 19 June 2008
LINKS
• Watch a music video by Morley, in honor of Suu Kyi and other Women of Hope
• Read more about the use of Rape as a Weapon of War in Burma
• UN Security Council Open Debate Sexual Violence in Conflict, June 19, 2008 resolution and statements posted on PeaceWomen
• Nobel Laureates appeal for arms embargoes
Take Action to Support Relief Efforts in Burma.
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read more about Burma on our Burma Issue page.
Read more »
Laureates Appeal to Lift Restrictions on Movement within Burma
As international aid trickles in to Burma following cyclone Nargis, we six women Nobel Peace Laureates urge world leaders to speak up for democracy and freedom in Burma. We strongly believe that solutions to Burma's current humanitarian crisis are very much tied to Burma's on-going political crisis. The international community should press for freedom of movement for the people of Burma, and freedom for Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The crisis in Burma remains critical. Many Burmese still have no access to aid and millions face imminent death from thirst, hunger and disease. This desperate situation is largely the result of government-imposed restrictions on movement within the country, impeding the ability of local non-governmental organizations to provide help to those who need it most. Burmese women in particular are impacted by limited access to food for their families.
Efforts to secure access for aid deals with the regime in Burma should not, in any way, weaken the momentum for a free and democratic Burma. Earlier this week, the Burmese government extended the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. The 62-year-old, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) overwhelmingly won a 1990 general election, has been detained in her home without trial for 12 of the past 18 years, and continuously since May 2003. We are heartened that some world leaders have reacted in outrage at her re-arrest, and now we ask these same world leaders to also call for more freedom for her people.
We are deeply concerned for the people of Burma. More than 130,000 Burmese have already died due to the cyclone, and restrictions on the freedom of movement for the survivors and that of the county's many political prisoners only deepens the tragedy now unfolding in Burma.
This is not the time to lessen pressure on the regime holding power in Burma. We ask the international community to join us in asking Burma to do the right thing lift all restrictions on movement within Burma and free Aung San Suu Kyi.
MEDIA COVERAGE
- UN Condemns Burma 'camp closures', BBC, 30 May 2008
- Burmese evicted from relief centres, The Irish Times, 30 May 2008
- World anger over Suu Kyi detention, The Press Association 29 May 2008
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Myanmar blasts aid donors for not giving more, Associated Press, 29 May 2008
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Take Action to Support Relief Efforts in Burma. Read more »Laureates call for urgent response to Cyclone Nargis
The Nobel Women's Initiative is deeply concerned with the growing humanitarian crisis in Burma and condemns actions that prevent aid from being distributed to victims of cyclone Nargis. The Nobel Women's Initiative appeals to world leaders, particularly permanent members of the UN Security Council, to use their capacity to ensure adequate humanitarian aid is delivered to Burma without any further delay.
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The refusal of the Burmese military regime to accept full, adequate, humanitarian aid from the international community is nothing short of criminal, and unprecedented in recent history....We must wait no longer for permission from China and Burma's military regime. The time to save 1.5 million lives is now.
Nobel Laureates Appeal, 15 May 2008 |
Tropical cyclone Nargis made landfall on 2 May 2008 causing catastrophic destruction along the heavily populated Irrawaddy delta of Burma. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimates between 68,833 and 127,990 people have died and approximately 2.5 million people have been affected by the cyclone and its aftermath. Burma's military junta has blocked aid efforts and refused the majority of international assistance altogether. Rescuers and aid workers have not been able to provide life saving assistance to thousands of cyclone survivors. "Our biggest fear is that the aftermath could be more lethal than the storm itself," said Caryl Stern, head of the U.N. Children's Fund.
Despite outcry from the international community, diplomatic efforts to call a meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed last week, with China - which has close ties with its small Burmese neighbor- warning against politicizing the crisis.
Diplomatic efforts have not delivered the results needed to save lives, said Mark Farmaner. We have to face up to reality. Every day of delay is costing lives.
Thirteen days after cyclone Nargis hit the Irrawaddy delta, seven Nobel Laureates wrote an appeal to the Presidents of France and the United States, as well as the British Prime Minister to respond urgently to this humanitarian crisis.
Learn how you can take action to support cyclone Nargis relief efforts in Burma.
NOBEL LAUREATES' APPEAL
The following letter from the office of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, signed by seven Nobel Peace Laureates, was sent to President George W Bush, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown after repeated attempts for humanitarian aid was refused by the military junta in Burma.
From the Desk of The Most Reverend Desmond M Tutu
15h May 2008
A letter to:
President George W Bush
President Nicolas Sarkozy
Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Your Excellencies,
We appeal to you to immediately use your capacity as members of the Security Council to send humanitarian aid to Burma.The effect of the cyclone on the Burmese people has been devastating. Perhaps 200,000 are dead and 1.5 million more face imminent death from thirst, hunger, and disease.
The refusal of the Burmese military regime to accept full, adequate, humanitarian aid from the international community is nothing short of criminal, and unprecedented in recent history. By refusing aid, the Burmese regime has effectively declared war on its own population and is committing crimes against humanity.
The solution to this problem lies in the United Nations Security Council authorizing immediate shipments of aid to Burma over the objections of the military regime. However, China, Russia and others have paralysed the Council. As a result, the world is making the same mistake it made on Rwanda, accepting solutions that were guaranteed to fail.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds of food - helicopters, ships and amphibious vehicles lie ready, waiting, off Burma's shores while the Burmese people die.
There is no time to wait. Thirteen full days after the cyclone, it is clear that the Burmese military regime will not accept humanitarian aid.
The UK, United States, and France have the capacity to respond immediately. Please use your ships, helicopters,and all other tools within your capacity to immediately deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Burma. We must wait no longer for permission from China and Burma's military regime. The time to save 1.5 million lives is now.
God bless you
Desmond M Tutu Archbishop Emeritus, Nobel Peace Laureate 1984
co-signed by:
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate 2003
Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Laureate 1980
Sally Milne for Pugwash, Nobel Peace Laureate 1995
H.E. President Jose Ramos Horta, Nobel Peace Laureate 1996
Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate 1977
Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate 1997
cc: Ban ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations
Chancellor Angela Merkel
To download the letter <!--[endif]-->click here.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Burma's Desperate Hour, The Nation, 15 May 2008
Public health threats immense, warns Red Cross Red Crescent aid worker, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 15 May 2008
Burma: Donor States Must Monitor Aid, Human Rights Watch, 14 May 2008
Much bigger aid effort needed for Myanmar Ban Ki-moon, UN News Centre, 14 May 2008
Women and children make up more than half of the victims in Burma, UNICEF, 5 May 2008
UPDATES
Burma to "let in all aid workers", BBC News, 23 May 2008
Will Burma keep its word on aid? BBC News, 23 May 2008
Aid Agencies Careful Not to Push Myanmar too Hard, NPR, 23 May 2008
Junta Agreement Opens Door, Reuters, 23 May 2008
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Take Action to Support Relief Efforts in Burma.Take Action for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.
Read more »Nobel winners appeal for action on Burma
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We can not, and we will not, forget the events of the Saffron Revolution and the courage of the Burmese people in asserting their right to live in peace and freedom. - Nobel Laureates Appeal |
On 19 February 2008, nine Nobel Peace Laureates released a public statement calling for the international community and the United Nations Security Council to impose arms embargoes on Burma. The appeal, issued by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and signed by eight other Laureates, points out that Burma's military junta consistently uses arms supplied by foreign governments to brutally oppress its citizens. The regime is known for its violent crackdowns against peaceful protests, most recently during the Saffron Revolution in late 2007.
Recently, pro-democracy activists are have called into question the credibility of the regime's drafted constitution, which bans Burma's democratic leader, sister laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, from the 2010 elections.
NOBEL LAUREATES APPEAL
The peaceful, nonviolent marches by the Burmese Buddhist monks in 2007 asking for peace and dialogue towards a political settlement of the problems confronting that country galvanized the attention of the international community. They marched to support the lay population who publicly and bravely protested grievances against the regime. We watched in horror as their peaceful overtures were met with a violent crackdown by Burma's military junta lead by General Than Shwe. The subsequent dragnet he ordered has resulted in arrests, torture, and killings that continue to this very day.
<!--[endif]-->
In spite of the overwhelming desire of the Burmese people for political change the regime has made no overtures and no progress on national reconciliation. They continue their refusal to engage the Burmese people and ethnic groups in substantive, meaningful dialogue. We stand firmly in support of our fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and have repeatedly called for her release, as well as the release of Buddhist monks and all political prisoners in Burma. The regime's "roadmap" and decades-long constitution process is flawed: it does not include participation of the National League for Democracy. The NLD and Burma's ethnic nationalities must play an inclusive role in determining a negotiated settlement and transition to democracy.
We can not, and we will not, forget the events of the Saffron Revolution and the courage of the Burmese people in asserting their right to live in peace and freedom. Despite decades of repression and in a world wracked by violence, their peaceful demonstrations represent a model for the proper and rightful expression of political dissent of which they are entitled.
Many of the arms used by Burma's military regime to retain its hold on power have been sold to the regime by foreign governments. This is not acceptable - no nation should sell arms to a regime that uses weapons exclusively against its own people. We call upon the international community to actively work to implement arms embargoes against the regime. Further, we appeal to the members of the Security Council, and the international community, to take action quickly on measures that will prevent the sale of arms to the Burmese military, including a ban on banking transactions targeting top Burmese leaders, as well as state and private entities that support the government's weapons trade.
S/agreed:
Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu and,
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Adolfo Perez Esquivel
Prof. Elie Wiesel
*President Oscar Arias has also pledged his support to the Statement of and Appeal
Media:
- World's conscience on Burma, The Boston Globe, 22 February 2008
- Nobel Laureates demand arms embargo on Burma, The Irrawaddy, 20 February 2008
- Nobel Laureates appeal to UN, Inter Press Service (IPS), 20 February 2008
- A forgotten crisis, The Washington Post, 20 January 2008
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Aung San Suu Kyi issues first public remarks since 2003
After an hour long meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday, 8 November, U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari released a statement from the detained pro-democracy leader. This is reportedly the first public remarks made by Suu Kyi since 2003, when she was returned to house arrest.
On Friday, Suu Kyi met with four leaders of her political party, the National League of Democracy, as well as the junta's Liaison Minister. The Liaison Minister was appointed as a go-between for Suu Kyi and the ruling junta following the recent popular uprising by Burmese citizens.
Text of Aung San Suu Kyi's statement released by U.N. envoy
"I wish to thank all those who have stood by my side all this time, both inside and outside my country. I am also grateful to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his unwavering support for the cause of national reconciliation, democracy and human rights in my country.
"I welcome the appointment on 8 October of Minister Aung Kyi as Minister for Relations. Our first meeting on 25 October was constructive and I look forward to further regular discussions. I expect that this phase of preliminary consultations will conclude soon so that a meaningful and timebound dialogue with the SPDC leadership can start as early as possible.
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"In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the Government in order to make this process of dialogue a success and welcome the necessary good offices role of the United Nations to help facilitate our efforts in this regard. "In full awareness of the essential role of political parties in democratic societies, in deep appreciation of the sacrifices of the members of my party and in my position as General Secretary, I will be guided by the policies and wishes of the National League for Democracy. However, in this time of vital need for democratic solidarity and national unity, it is my duty to give constant and serious considerations to the interests and opinions of as broad a range of political organizations and forces as possible, in particular those of our ethnic nationality races. "To that end, I am committed to pursue the path of dialogue constructively and invite the Government and all relevant parties to join me in this spirit. |
| (photo courtesy of www.idea.net) |
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Since mid-August 2007 Burma's military regime has unleashed the latest crackdown on its citizens' long-standing nonviolent resistance movement. Read a Summary of Recent Events .
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Read more »
Women Nobel Laureates mark 12 years of detention for Aung San Suu Kyi
The Nobel Women's Initiative joined today with activists around the world and Crisis Action in calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's democratic leader. On October 24th, 2007, this brave woman, also a Nobel Peace Laureate, will have spent a total of 12 years in detention.
To mark the somber occasion, events are being held in 12 cities around the world - including Toronto, London, Paris, Washington and Bangkok. Activists are gathered in front of Chinese embassies, wearing Aung San Suu Kyi masks and white robes.
See the Laureates' statement below
OPEN LETTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION
Published October 24, 2007 in the UK Guardian
Today, as the UN celebrates its 62nd birthday, Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent a total of twelve years in detention in Burma.
On January 8, you/the UNSG called on Senior General Than Shwe to release Aung San Suu Kyi. It is a grave disappointment to us all that the Burmese regime has chosen to ignore this.
Since Burmese monks courageously took to the streets in September to call for democracy, the Burmese regime has enforced a vicious crackdown on peaceful demonstrators and democratic opposition leaders. Amidst mounting reports of torture and ill treatment, we fear for the safety of the brave people of Burma.
The Burmese regime must not be allowed to continue in its perpetration of gross violations of human rights. The detention of Aung San Suu Kyi is the most visible manifestation of the regime's brutality but it is only the tip of the iceberg. As women leaders from around the world, we will work together to ensure that Burma does not slip from international view and ensure that real progress is made. The UN has a central role to play in our collective endeavour.
Sixty-two years ago, the UN was established to enable governments of the world to respond to grave crises of this kind. It must now do more to live up to its mandate and take decisive action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and her fellow prisoners of conscience.
See this story in The International Herald Tribune
On the event of a Security Council Debate on women, peace and security, Burmese women's rights activists submitted a report to the Council outlining women's rights violations in Burma. See details in the Irrawaddy Magazine
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Since mid-August 2007 Burma's military regime has unleashed the latest crackdown on its citizens' long-standing nonviolent resistance movement. Read a Summary of Recent Events.
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Take Action for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.
Read more »
Summary of Recent Events in Burma
In mid-August 2007 Burma's military regime unleashed the latest crackdown on its citizens' long-standing nonviolent resistance movement. On August 15 the government implemented a massive hike in fuel prices, creating a dire situation for the country's poor. Courageous activists responded to the unbearable costs by staging protests reported to be the largest in a decade. More than 100 protestors involved in the peaceful demonstrations, including some of Burma's most prominent pro-democracy activists, were arrested.
In September, thousands of monks joined the civilian protest by taking to the streets in cities across Burma. Protests grew to the largest public demonstrations since the 1988 uprising, on some days swelling to more than 100,000 people. Women played a significant role in the demonstrations, as they have throughout Burma's long struggle for democracy. The military regime responded to the popular uprising by making thousands of arrests. Arrest numbers reached nearly 3,000 by mid-October, according to Burmese authorities. Hundreds, maybe more, are reported to still be held in a network of prisons and interrogation centers where conditions are known to be atrocious.
It is reported that ten individuals were killed during the junta's attempt to end September's protests, though witnesses estimate the death tolls as much higher. Although pro-democracy activists were the chief casualties, one Japanese journalist was also a victim of the rampage. A National League for Democracy (NLD) member arrested during protests, Win Shwe, died in custody as a result of torture during interrogation.
Since August government and international leaders , NGO's, and international citizens have spoken out against the crackdown. An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was called September 26 to address the escalating violence. Though all members supported a UN envoy, China once again acted against the majority and rejected imposing sanctions on Burma, arguing that the government-ordered violence was an internal matter. Read Jody Williams' opinion editorial in the Wall Street Journal September 26: Freedom for Burma : China is propping up another despotic regime.
On Saturday September 29, Wangari Maathai, Kenyan Laureate, hand-delivered a statement from six of the seven women Nobel Peace Laureates to Ban Ki Moon, calling for the immediate release of their sister Nobel Laureate ,Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned in Burma. The Laureates condemned the lack of action from the Security Council, and China in particular. They called for an immediate arms embargo against Burma, and urged the UN Security Council to pass a strong resolution requiring an end to the violent response to the protests and national reconciliation.
An emergency meeting of the Human Rights Council convened on Tuesday, 2 October, in response to the escalating violence. Impelled by the European Union, the council issued a resolution condemning the atrocities committed by the military junta and urging an immediate investigation. The meeting followed the September deployment of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to Burma, where he met with imprisoned democratic leader and sister Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as well as leaders in the military junta.
On Thursday, 11 October the United Nations Security Council issued, for the first time, a Presidential Statement on the situation in Burma. The Statement welcomed the mission of Mr. Gambari; deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators; emphasizes the importance of the early release of all political prisoners; and urges genuine dialogue between the military leaders, ethnic minorities, and democratic leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy. Campaigners applauded the Presidential statement, while recognizing that the Statement does not carry the same weight as a Security Council resolution.
The Nobel Women's Initiative sends our solidarity and support to the women and men of Burma who are courageously and peacefully demanding their rights to a free, democratic Burma. The situation remains critical. The military junta continues to use violence and arrests to intimidate the population and discourage popular protest. The brave monks, nuns and people of Burma are non-violently exercising their political rights and we stand together with them.
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Read Jody Williams' opinion editorial in the Wall Street Journal September 26: Freedom for Burma: China is propping up another despotic regime.
Return to the Burma News page.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Take Action for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.
Read more »
UN Security Council Issues Presidential Statement on Burma
Campaigners applauded the Presidential statement, while recognizing that the Statement does not carry the same weight as a Security Council resolution. Human rights groups and Burma solidarity campaigns continued to call for an arms embargo against Burma.
After massive nation-wide protests in Burma, the situation remains critical. The military junta continues to use violence and arrests to intimidate the population and discourage popular protest. Monks and students remain in prison.
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Since mid-August 2007 Burma's military regime has unleashed the latest crackdown on its citizens' long-standing nonviolent resistance movement. Read a Summary of Recent Events.
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Take Action for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma. Read more »Human Rights Council Holds Special Session on Burma
An emergency meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council convened on Tuesday, 2 October, in response to the Burmese government's escalating violence against peaceful protestors. Impelled by the European Union, the council issued a resolution condemning the atrocities committed by the military junta and urging an immediate investigation. The meeting followed last week's emergency session by the UN Security Council and the deployment of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to Burma, where he met with imprisoned democratic leader and sister Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as well as leaders in the military junta. Mr. Gambari returned to New York on Tuesday and will be meeting with the UN Security Council later this week to brief them on his trip and assessments.
Sister Laureate Jody Williams, on behalf of the Nobel Women's Initiative, issued a statement to the UN Human Rights Council which can be read below:
STATEMENT TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION ON BURMA BY JODY WILLIAMS, NOBEL WOMEN'S INITIATIVE
(1 October 2007) In March of this year, I stood before you to report to the Human Rights Council after heading its High Level Mission to Darfur. That report was framed in terms of the Responsibility To Protect, endorsed by all nations in the Declaration of the UN World Summit. Recognizing that the Government of the Sudan had failed to protect the people of Darfur from Ethnic Cleansing, War Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity, our report made various recommendations to this Council, as well as to others, about how better to protect the people of Darfur.
Today I am calling, on behalf of my sister laureates in the Nobel Women's Initiative, for meaningful action from the Council to protect the human rights of the people of Burma. The ruling regime in Burma clearly does not exercise its Responsibility to Protect the Burmese people quite the contrary, it attacks and murders nonviolent monks and others demonstrating for their freedom and national reconciliation. Since Burma fails in that responsibility, the responsibility falls to the international community. Protecting the people of Burma requires strong, concerted and decisive action from the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, and the Secretary General. If the words of the UN World Summit Declaration are to have meaning, it is up to Council members to help put them into force.
We stand with all those who are nonviolently exercising their political rights in Burma, and call on the Human Rights Council to strongly condemn the violence against, and imprisonment of, the protesters.
The Human Rights Council should also call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Council should play a decisive role in pushing for a national reconciliation commission to support a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma, and support efforts for an arms embargo against Burma.
The Human Rights Council must remain seized of the situation in Burma. It must carry out consistent and meaningful action to ensure the rights of the Burmese people to live in freedom and democracy.
Download the pdf of this statement here.
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Since mid-August 2007 Burma's military regime has unleashed the latest crackdown on its citizens' long-standing nonviolent resistance movement. Read a Summary of Recent Events.
Read the latest News on Burma.
Read about Burma's political history and repression at the hands of the military regime at our Burma Issue page.
Take Action for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.
Read more »