Media Release From Burma Campaign UK

For Immediate Release 10^th July 2009

G8 Calls For Release Of All Burma’s Political Prisoners

The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed a call by the G8 for the release of all Burma’s political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

The G8 consists of 8 of the world’s largest economies. G8 leaders are currently meeting in Italy.

“We are pleased that Burma, and the issue of political prisoners, is so high up the international agenda,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “It is particularly good to have Russia saying these things, as they strongly defend the dictatorship. However, words must be turned into action, we’d like to see the G8 supporting a global arms embargo on Burma.”

The G8 statement also calls for a fully inclusive process of dialogue and national reconciliation to take place. For this to happen the dictatorship would have to abandon its plans for elections in 2010 and tear up its new constitution, which enshrines military rule, and grants no freedoms and human rights.

However, the Burma Campaign UK is also concerned about the statement going on to state that elections planned for 2010 would have no credibility unless Aung San Suu Kyi can take part. As the constitution legalises dictatorship, the elections and constitution should be rejected regardless of whether or not Aung San Suu kyi is in jail or under house arrest.

For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 07941239640.

G8 Statement on Burma:

 We welcome the recent visit to Myanmar of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. We underline our long-standing support for his Good Offices Mission and strongly welcome the leadership he has shown on this issue, conveying the messages of the international community. We share the Secretary General’s view that the Government of Myanmar did not take this important opportunity to respond fully to the concerns of the international community, and will closely consult on our collective and individual response. A fully inclusive process of dialogue and national reconciliation is urgently needed, leading to transparent fair and democratic multiparty elections. We reiterate our call on the Government of Myanmar to release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose continued detention would undermine the credibility of elections planned for 2010. We continue to support UN Secretary General’s active engagement with Myanmar and remain prepared to respond positively to substantive political progress undertaken by Myanmar.

Mark Farmaner

Director

Burma Campaign UK
28 Charles Square
London
N1 6HT

Direct Tel: +44 (0)20 7324 4713

Mobile:+44 (0)7941239640
Email: mark.farmaner@burmacampaign.org.uk
Web: www.burmacampaign.org.uk

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