Rally for Burmese democracy this weekend

A Council of Trade Unions backed rally is taking place in Auckland on Saturday to support the Burmese people in their struggle for democracy.

For decades Burma has been ruled by a military dictatorship that practices censorship, surveillance, arbitrary detention, forced labour, torture, and ethnic cleansing. It is one of the worst human and trade union rights offenders in the world.

Mass public protests against the regime in 1988 were violently suppressed by the military, with more than 3000 people massacred. Now the people, led by the country’s influential Buddhist monks, are on the streets again calling for democracy. Protesters are being beaten and up to a dozen monks have already been shot dead.

CTU president Ross Wilson says it’s vital the global community supports the Burmese people in their fight for democracy.

“The brave act of people power on the streets of Burma gives hope for democracy in Burma, but their efforts must be supported by the global community.

“New Zealanders need to stand alongside the people of Burma in their struggle for democracy and human rights, and the New Zealand government must declare in the strongest possible terms its opposition to the repressive regime in Burma.

“At its most recent meeting, the CTU national council called for an end to the regime’s blatant attempt to intimidate and silence those who are engaged in peaceful promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma, and renewed our call for Burma’s military to release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”

“As the UN General Assembly meets this week, we call on all governments to exert pressure on the Burmese junta so we do not see a repeat of the 1988 state violence against democracy campaigners.”

The CTU is encouraging all unions and New Zealanders to support public actions on Burma including the Aotea Square rally in Auckland this Saturday at 2pm.