By Raluca Enescu

As a human rights campaigner, I often came to ask myself: how can I get people to care about what is happening in Burma? And how many people can I talk to? Of course, I can talk to my classmates at school; I can organize awareness actions and publish a website. Indeed, it already is something.

But now, let’s ask ourselves: how many people did Bono –from U2- get to care about what is happening in Burma? Myself, I have to confess, I have first become interested in the issue of democracy in Burma due to U2’s song “Walk On” and to MTV’s campaign to free Aung San Suu Kyi, in 2003.

As Larry Cox, director of Amnesty International USA once said, “Some things just go together – peanut butter and jelly, fireworks and the 4th of July, Laverne and Shirley. And let’s not forget about music and human rights.” The movement for freedom in Burma, as well, has been helped and supported over the years by artists and musicians. In 2002, MTV’s campaign “Whispering freedom” has reunited Bono, Michael Stipe from REM, Sheryl Crow, Macy Gray, Lenny Kravitz and many others. Quite a big group, already. By them lending their voices to the movement for human rights in Burma, their fans have learned that somewhere, in a country they maybe didn’t know much about before, there are people who are being denied their basic liberties and who need their help.

“Whispering freedom” has not been the only initiative of musicians participating in a Burma campaign. In 2004, 27 major musicians, including Paul McCartney, RE.M., Avril Lavigne, Ani DiFranco, Damien Rice, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Sting, U2, and others have united on a groundbreaking two-CD set, “For the lady”, dedicating, each of them, one of their songs to Aung San Suu Kyi, to support freedom for her and the courageous people of Burma, al proceeds from the CD being donated to the US Campaign for Burma.

Just as much as musicians, actors and stand-up comedians have also lent their artistic talents to benefiting the cause of freedom in Burma. In 2006 in London, as many as nine actors have reunited for bringing on the stage “Stand up for Burma”, an evening of comedy in aid of the Burma Campaign UK. This year, the show being a success, it has been taken up once more, in March. To this adds another theatrical play with a strong message, “The lady of Burma”, written by Richard Shannon, a one-woman show starring Liana Gould in the role of Aung San Suu Kyi and with on-stage contribution from Annie Lennox, John Pilger, as well as politicians and human rights activists.

Actually, if we do have now (or at least, if we hope of having) a global movement for freedom in Burma, it is very much due to singers, actors, film-makers, painters, sculptors and writers who have chosen to dedicate their work and talents to our cause.

Here is a small collection of quotes, from musicians campaigning for freedom in Burma:

“Aung San Suu Kyi is my hero” ….. (Bono-U2)

“Why is an army of four hundred thousands soldiers so afraid of one woman? Is it because she may bring freedom of choice? She may allow freedom of speech? Or she may develop something as uncontrollable as education? Worst of all, she may bring for her people freedom, justice and hope.“….. (Michael Stipe-REM)

“Aung San suu Kyi’s dedication, resolve, courage and patience are the mark of a leader. We stand tall for her, as she will again stand tall for herself.”….. (Michael Stipe)

“Anytime anyone in Burma listens to my music, I want them to know that they are listening to an artist that supports their freedom.”….. (Eric Clapton)

“We must bring an end to gross human rights violations in Burma”….. (Chris Martin -Coldplay)