VARIOUS: Protesters in Asia begin Global Day of Action for Myanmar

A global day of demonstrations against Myanmar's violent suppression of pro-democracy protests started in New Zealand on Saturday (October 6). At least 100 people turned out in the New Zealand city of Wellington calling for a stronger international response to the political crisis in Myanmar. The protesters wore red clothes and headbands as part of the Global Day of Action dress code. "The world needs to actually rise up and make sure that countries like China and Russia and India withdraw their support for the military regime and actually through the United Nations Security Council restore democracy and restore the democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi," said President of the Council of Trade Unions in New Zealand, Ross Wilson. About 150 protesters in Sydney marched to the Sydney Opera House also condemning recent violent crackdowns on protesters in Myanmar, with signs urging United Nations Peacekeeping forces to restore democracy in the country. Australian protester Daniel Symon said he heard about the protests and felt he needed to join after hearing about atrocities in Myanmar on the news. "I believe in democracy and people being able to have a safe place to live so I felt compelled to come," he said. In Bangkok, about 100 activists shouted anti-junta slogans and waved placards which read "Stop the killing" and "Stop Destroying Freedom" as they marched from a Democracy monument through Ratchadamnoen street. The marchers ended their rally at Thammasat University, historically significant because it was where, 31 years ago, student demonstrations against the return of a former Thai dictator from exile were crushed. Officially 46 protesters died, but rights groups say the toll was higher. "The situation that is happening in Myanmar is not accetable for international communities, it is violence and crimes against humanity" said Boonthan Verawongse of the rights group Amnesty International in Thailand. He called on Thailand's interim government, appointed by the military after last year's bloodless coup against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to put pressure on Myanmar's generals. Myanmar receives most of its export earnings from selling gas to Thailand, which is competing against China, India and others for a slice of the country's abundant gas reserves. Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours have condemned last week's ruthless crackdown, but ruled out sanctions. About 20 activists staged a run around the University of the Philippines expressing their disappointment with the military government's response to protests in Myanmar. Activists from the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines, joined by members of the International Peace Network, called for significant democratic progress in Myanmar and said the junta leaders' agreement to hold talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi were merely damage control measures and not genuine steps towards dialogue. Senior General Than Shwe, who heads the military government, had agreed to meet with Suu Kyi but only until she abandons her affiliation with the opposition party and her support for sanctions. "This is important to show the world and show the military junta that the international outrage doesn't come only from the statement of the governments and heads of state. The international outrage also resounds the voices of the people on the ground," said Egoy Bans, spokersperson of the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines. The activists said the real barometer for change is the release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Myanmar. Western powers circulated a draft proposal on Myanmar to the U.N. Security Council in New York on Friday that condemned repression by the junta and demanded it free political detainees and begin dialogue with the opposition. Myanmar soldiers opened fire last week to clear the streets of the capital Yangon of up to 100,000 Buddhist monks and civilians demanding democracy -- the biggest protests in the country in 20 years. State media said 10 people were killed, though diplomats believe the real number is likely to be far higher.

ITN Source | October 6, 2007

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