Protest to demand end of Burmese military rule
A major protest demanding United Nations (UN) action against the oppressive military regime in Burma will be held in central Dublin tomorrow, coinciding with similar demonstrations throughout the globe.
Hundreds are expected to take to O’Connell Bridge for the second Irish solidarity protest in a week, supported by Burma Action Ireland.
Campaigners are urging the international community to pressurise the Burmese government into ending its military crackdown and release all political prisoners.
The ruling junta arrested and interrogated hundreds of people during last week’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy marches, which were led by the country’s revered Buddhist monks.
“This day of action is to show that this crisis has not gone away,” said Aung San Phyo, a Burmese-born Irish citizen who fled the country following the violent crackdown on peaceful protestors in 1988.
“Our friends, families and spiritual leaders are in jail cells today, at risk of torture.
“The UN Security Council must act now and they must keep focused on this crisis until change comes to Burma.
“The international community must not desert us now,” she said.
The day of action will begin at noon in countries across the world, including Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Thailand, the UK and the US.
Campaigners will wear red headbands in solidarity with the monks under arrest.
Eileen Seymour, who is organising the Dublin event, said: “This event in Dublin is designed to show the people of Burma that we stand with them.... and the generals and that we are watching their every move.
“We also hope the protests will force those who hold influence with the Burmese authorities to do more to demand an end to the military crackdown and get the UN Security Council to act,” she said.
Burma Action Ireland is a voluntary group established in May 1996 to raise awareness in Ireland of the current situation in Burma and the nature of the ruling regime, the State Peace and Development Council.
The association is non-party political, non-denominational and committed to non-violent means.
The global protest is also being supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Trade Union Congress, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Avaaz and hundreds of other groups.
