On 6th August, Christians and human rights activists will protest and march from Berkeley Square in London W1 to the Burmese Embassy in Charles Street. Burmese exiles in London will wear traditional national costumes and protest to remember the student demonstration in Rangoon, Burma in 1988 in which thousands were massacred.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a Christian human rights charity, will hand reports of human rights violations from different organisations to the Burmese Embassy.

The protestors will be holding a map of Burma in chains, pictures of landmine victims, burnt out villages and forced labour, and detained political prisoners.

A National Convention is being held by the SPDC to prepare a new constitution for Burma, and ceasefire talks are being held with the Karen. But CSW has called for a nationwide ceasefire and for Burma troops to withdraw from ethnic areas.

"Only a nationwide ceasefire, and the total withdrawal of troops, will help Burma move towards peace and justice," said Benedict Rogers, CSW's Advocacy Officer for South Asia. Piecemeal deals are not acceptable. If troops remain on the ground, even if there is an end to military hostilities, the forced labour, rape and looting will continue and the civilians will be extremely vulnerable."

"It is extremely important that we express our solidarity with the oppressed peoples of Burma, and that we protest against the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by the junta," said CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas. "The anniversary of the 1988 uprising is a symbolic event, and we must ensure that the world does not forget. The international community needs to be woken up and a light shone on the darkness in Burma."




Jenny Lee
Ecumenical Press