Today marks the 60th anniversary of Independence Day for
Because of abuse of power by the military regime, currently called the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), which has prioritized military expansion above all else, Burma has become one of the poorest countries in the world. Public health and education services have declined dramatically and social, economic and political aspects of life in
The events in August-September last year provided clear evidence of the atrocities that the military regime has been inflicting on the people of
In order to achieve long-lasting peace in
However, the SPDC has continued to refuse to engage in meaningful dialogue, which is vital for a political settlement. SPDC has merely let UN Special Envoy Mr. Gambari and UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in
Therefore we, the WLB, reiterate our calls to the international community and the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon to maintain their increased pressure on SPDC to immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, including women human rights defenders so that the process of tripartite dialogue can begin, and facilitate a mission of inquiry by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women to Burma, so that women activists will be able to reunite speedily with their children and other family members, with guarantees of safety. Moreover, we would like to call on ASEAN members to pressure the Burmese regime, which has been tarnishing the image of ASEAN, and follow the lead of the
The WLB will continue to work for the realization of genuine independence so that all people in
Media contact: Nang Yain + 66 89 851 4660
Mary + 66 87 184 0627
Thin Thin Aung +91 98 912 52316