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hunger strikers response to Downer (r)



Subject: Re: hunger strikers response to Downer

Dear Fellow Activists and Hunger Strikers, Your courageous example of
determined leadership has supporters around the world. Stay firm and
keep well, metta, Dawn Star, Euro-Burmanet
Maung Than wrote:> 
> Statement in response to the Australian  Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander
> Dowers, call for protection of  human rights in Burma.
> 
> We, members of the Burmese community and the 9999 Action Committee staging a
> Dawn to Dusk Hunger Strike (from 20 August to 1 September) outside the New
> South Wales Parliament would like to express our views on the Foreign Affair
> Mister statement dated 23rd of August 1999.
> 
> We greatly appreciate Mr Downer's  call for protection of human rights in
> Burma. However, we are most concerned and upset that Mr Downer's proposal
> for a Human Rights Commission in Burma would only benefit the military
> regime, that so ruthlessly rules our country. Rather than assisting to
> protect human rights Mr Downer's actions could help to legitimise the junta
> by polishing up its international image .
> 
> It needs to be recognised that the last visit to Burma by the Australian
> Human Rights Commissioner did not advance the human rights of people living
> in Burma. After the Commissioner, Mr Chris Sidoti, left Burma over three
> hundred students and other people were arrested. These people has been
> participating in activities promoting the peaceful 9999 movement. 5000
> political prisoners including students and MPs are still under detention.
> .
> The Australian government needs to be careful in its association with the
> Burmese military junta. Mr Downer's plans to work on human rights within
> Burma can result in the further violation of human rights.
> 
> The regime is made up of unelected generals, who continue to perpetrate
> gross violations against the people of Burma. These people are
> unaccountable. They are an unreliable partner for Mr Downer to consider
> working with as a way to alleviate the plight of Burmese people .
> 
> We urge the Australian Government recognise the results of the 1990
> elections. The parliamentarians elected in 1990 formed the Committee
> Representing People's Parliament CRPP. (This body had originally been formed
> in September 1998 by 251 parliamentarians-elect.)
> 
> Mr Downer could most usefully promote human rights in Burma by encouraging
> the regime to enter into peaceful dialogue with the CRPP. This would be an
> important step towards reconciliation and the convening of the people's
> parliament.
> 
> We hunger strikers thanks the many people of Australia who have supported
> our cause. It is heartening to receive supported for the betterment of the
> people of Burma from here and around the world.
> 
> Our hunger strike action outside the New South Wales parliament has been
> supported by over a thousand people. Strong support has been received for
> our petition from a number of parliamentarians including Ms Meredith
> Burgmann, President of the Legislative Council and member of the Australian
> Labor Party); Mr John Marry, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and member
> of the  ALP); Ian Mcdonald . Asistant Minister ( Australian Labor Party) ,
> opposition leader and member of the NSW Liberal Party Ms Kerry Chikarovski;
> former Liberal leader Mr Peter Collins; Liberal member  Mr Chris Hatcher; Ms
> Lee Rhiannon Greens MLC; Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans Democrats MLC; and Ms
> Jennie George, President of the ACTU.  The petition signed by these people
> recognises the CRPP as the highest authority of Burma, and calls on the NSW
> parliament to introduce a selective purchasing law to determine their
> dealings with Burma. Under such a law Australian companies doing business
> with the Burmese regime will not be entitled to enter into any contracts for
> work with the NSW government.
> 
> We, the hunger strikers, also demand that the Australian government suspends
> recognition of the SPDC regime. This junta is not the rightful government of
> Burma. By withdrawing recognition Australians will be assisting in the
> democratisation of our country, which has been under dictatorship since
> 1962.
> 
> We urge that the Australian Government highlight the need to protect the
> human rights of the people of Burma when the 9999 peaceful rallies are
> launched  on the 9th September 1999 . At this time it is vital that Mr
> Downer uses all diplomatic channels to ensure that the human rights of the
> people in Burma are not violated.
> 
> We have our right to a democratically elected government. We have a right to
> protest. We call on Mr Downer, the Australian government and all the
> Australian people to assist us. 9999 peaceful protests will be a vital part
> in winning our human rights.
> 
> Hunger strikers, 9999 Action Committee
> Outside NSW Parliament
> 26th August 99.
> 
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