Oct 03 2007
Helping Activists in Burma
The latest news is:
The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which has for years kept a close watch on political detainees in Myanmar’s 43 prisons, estimates that up to 1,500 people were locked up last week.
At least 85 protest leaders, over 1,000 monks, and between 300 and 400 students and activists were arrested,’ said AAPP joint secretary Bo Kyi, adding that the detainees were subject to harsh prison conditions.
The Buddhist monks, who were at the forefront of what has been dubbed the ‘saffron revolution,’ were forcibly disrobed and ‘severely beaten, kicked and insulted’ by soldiers and militias, the group said in a statement.
Hong Kong-based organisation the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said ‘at least 700 monks and 500 civilians are estimated to have been captured and taken to unknown locations in the last week.’
These detainees, as well as 150 people arrested after the protests began in August, ‘must all be treated as disappeared, not arrested, until their whereabouts and conditions are confirmed,’ the group said.
(Note: As soon as I can, I'm going to send to the organization below (after the jump) enough money for a fax machine. I have also asked them to set up a PayPal account to make it easier for people to donate. They have a link at the bottom of their page for donating via PayMate, but I don't have a Visa or MasterCard, only American Express.)
Dear Friends,
Direct assistance is needed for activists in Burma.
The situation in Burma is critical and they need your help.
We have been in contact with students, monks and activists inside Burma who have been working day and night on the protests. There is an incredible amount of work going on behind the scenes. In particular, the need to organise strike activity and co-ordination with monks has been emphasised.
To help this to happen we have been asked specifically for four things:
Two fax machines
The internet cafes are being closely monitored and it is very difficult to send emails even when the internet is working. Web sites such as hotmail, gmail and yahoo have been blocked for years and the regime is cracking down on the use of any type of unmonitored emails. Accordingly we have been asked for help to buy two fax machines. They can be bought illegally so they can’t be traced and can be used for the issuing of media information and updates.
Disposable cameras
Carrying a video camera or video phone carries a very hight risk if caught by the army. We’ve been asked for some money to buy disposable cameras as they are light, can be used easily and if they are lost, confiscated or damaged it’s comparably no big loss.
Money for copying
Communicating to workers in the factories about the efforts to organise a strike means a lot of printing. Print shops are secretly printing leaflets and material but the cost of paper has exhausted the small resources of the activists. For the past six years we have been making donations to support the production of leaflets, booklets and other material to promote human rights and democracy in Burma. It’s urgent we get the money there ASAP.
Money for bus, taxi and car transport for organising
Most organising is done by bicycle, but the scope of organising to step up the protests now requires faster transport options. Because motorbikes are banned in Rangoon – it has been suggested the military fears they may be used for assassinations – protest organisers need to travel by bus, private car or taxi. Recent hikes in petrol prices however mean such travel is now comparably expensive. Assistance is needed to help organisers travel to collect and distribute flyers, visit factories, and to get protest news to media contacts.
How will the money be managed?
We have been working with these activists for many, many years and are confident the money will be spent wisely. We have met these activists in both Thailand and Burma and are able to speak for their commitment and integrity. The activists have been reluctant to ask for support but it is clear that overseas financial support is essential to the campaign.
No money will be taken out for administration or any other cost. Every cent will be sent to Burma or to our contacts on the Thai-Burma or India-Burma boarders. Please send what you can to help this campaign.
Thank you for your support.
Please send cheques or money orders made out to “Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma” to
Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma
c/ Dr John Kaye MLC
Legislative Council
Parliament of NSW
Macquarie Street
Sydney Australia 2000
If you would like to direct deposit please email or call us and we can send you the banking details.
If you would like to get in touch please feel free to contact Jamie Parker on the number below or reply to this email.
Councillor Jamie Parker
Leichhardt Council (Sydney Australia)
www.lmc.nsw.gov.au
jparker@lmc.nsw.gov.au
0418 428 089
The Australian Coalition for Democracy is Burma Inc. is a cross party coalition of Federal, State and Local government representatives committed to the restoration of Democracy in Burma.
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