The military regime in Burma is one of the most brutal in the world, using its half million strong army to oppress its population. Despite appalling human rights violations, there is no UN global arms embargo on Burma. The brutal regime is still allowed to buy foreign weapons to commit horrific human rights abuses and spends nearly half its budget on the military.
Nine Nobel Laureates, including the Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President of Costa Rica Oscar Arias, arrive today, Tuesday 16th February 1993, on a mission to call for the immediate liberation of the 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest in Rangoon,…
The Burma Action Group (UK) is expressing grave concern at the continued forced repatriation of Rohngya refugees in Bangladesh to Burma. Recent reports from aid workers in the area continue to confirm that the situation is critical.
In the early months of 1992, 280 000 Rohingyas sought refuge in Bangladesh…
The ethnic and democratic opposition headquarters, Manerplaw, fell to the Burmese army on the 26th of January, marking the beginning of a serious offensive by the armed forces of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) against the Karen ethnic group. Intense shelling has forced many thousands of refugees…
The British Ambassador to Rangoon Mr J N D Hartland-Swann, backed by the Department of Trade and Industry, has arranged for a second British Week which is being held currently in Rangoon to encourage and facilitate trade and investment on the part of British Companies in Burma. Arranged to coincide…
In a press conference this morning, Aung San Suu Kyi confirmed that she has been released unconditionally after 6 years held under house arrest. “I have always believed that the future stability and happiness of my nation depends entirely on the readiness of all parties to work for reconciliation”, said…
The Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Derek Fatchett and the Burma Action Group are today calling on tourists to think again about Burma as a holiday destination. 1996 has been deemed Visit Burma Year by the repressive military junta that controls the country.
The call coincides with the publication of the…
We, the European Burma solidarity groups listed below, support the call for economic sanctions on Burma issued by the European Parliament on 18 July 1996.
We welcome the good example set by Carlsberg and Heineken in deciding to withdraw from Burma. We support the request by the democratically elected representatives…
The Burma Action Group (BAG) will be joining members of the Burmese democracy movement in holding a demonstration and photo opportunity outside the London headquarters of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Ltd, Sea Containers House, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 at 8am on Thursday 8 August to mark the eighth anniversary of the…
Today marks a historical milestone for the democracy movement in Burma. On the 8th of August 1988 the nationwide uprising occurred to protest against human rights abuses, economic decline and in order to abandon the one party dictatorship. The social unrest started during March and the event reached a climax…
British Home Stores have announced that their only remaining contract for Burma sourced clothing is due to expire within the next three weeks. The company have signed a sequence of contracts with their UK suppliers for Burmese clothing. However on expiry of this current contract the company will not sign…
PepsiCo have released a statement announcing the severance of all commercial links with Burma; “We are completing our total disengagement from the Burmese market. Accordingly, we have severed all relationships with our former franchise bottler, effective January 15, 1997. The bottler in Burma is taking appropriate steps to ensure that…
Joint Statement
Karen refugees fleeing fighting in the Minthamee area, Tenasserim Division in Burma, are not being guaranteed refuge on Thai soil. Acting upon orders by the Commander of the 9th division of the Thai army, Karen civilians fleeing conflict and human rights abuses committed by the SLORC (State Law…
On Thursday 13 June the European Parliament (EP) unanimously adopted a resolution urging the European Commission (EC) “not to take action against the act regulating state contracts with companies with or in Burma passed on 25 June 1996 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, under the dispute settlement procedure of the…
The election of the new Labour government may prove a good omen for Burma’s democracy movement. Today as the British Ambassador hand delivered a birthday greeting to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the new Foreign Secretary, the Government issued a statement detailing the Government’s new policy on trade promotion…
In an interview on BBC 2’s Newsnight on 3 July the Government moved British Foreign policy on Burma one step closer to supporting full economic sanctions against the country. Foreign Minister Derek Fatchett said the Government would now “discourage economic activity” in Burma.
Although at present the Government “cannot…
Burma’s pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, has criticised UK company Premier Oil for supporting the military regime in Burma by helping it to develop off-shore gas reserves. In a new video statement smuggled out of Burma she condemns the company, saying “Premier Oil is not…
The following is the speech delivered by Thaung Htun, UN representative for the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) to the Alternative State Reception for the unrepresented peoples of Asia.
Key points:
- Unilateral Sanctions By UK or Any Other EU Government On Burma are…
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), an agency of the United Nations, released a report today which accuses Burma’s ruling military of systematic and widespread use of forced labour. The report charges that “any person who violates the prohibition of recourse to forced labour under the (ILO) Convention is guilty of…
There has been widespread coverage that the UK government has called for new sanctions to be imposed on the regime in Rangoon. The government has in fact asked for limited measures, such as visa bans, that were imposed by the previous Conservative administration to be extended.
The discouragement of…
Swedish mobile telephone company Ericsson, today announced that it is suspending all business links with Burma forthwith. This decision follows protests by democracy campaigners at recent Celine Dion concerts in the US, which were sponsored by Ericsson. The company had also previously lost a multi-million dollar contract with the City…
Burma’s newly appointed foreign minister, Win Aung - until last week the military regime’s ambassador to London - will be celebrating his promotion in London this weekend. The celebration organised by the Myanmar Association will be held between 12.00pm and 6.00pm at Ealing Town Hall, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, London W5…
In an interview with the Burma Campaign UK, Burma’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi calls on tourists to stay away from Burma. She also criticises tour operators who claim tourists assist the cause of democracy by exposing Burmese people to new ideas about freedom and democracy: “That’s so patronising! …
On Thursday September 9th in London’s West End, The Burma Campaign UK (TBC) is co-ordinating the Burma Freedom Ride 9.9.99. Similar events are being held across Europe, the United States and Asia as part of an international effort to focus attention on the serious deterioration of the political and human…
The Government’s much-heralded ethical foreign policy is to be tested in the High Court. The Burma Campaign UK (TBC) has launched a judicial review against the Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, over his attitude to sanctions against the military regime in Burma, one of the most brutal in the world.
…Last night on Channel 4’s ‘Mark Thomas Comedy Product’, Robin Cook was questioned on whether the Government had really tried to disuade British company Premier Oil from investing in Burma’s military dictatorship. Mr Cook had told BBC Radio Four’s Today Programe that Premier Oil was ‘summoned’ to the Foreign Office…
A High Court case has today paved the way for the Government to ban investment by British companies in Burma. Burma’s ruling military regime has one of the worst human rights records in the world and was recently described by the UN as ‘at war with its own people’.
…What leads young men and children to take such desperate action? As easy condemnation of ‘God’s Army’ mixes with a morbid celebration of the deaths of the youths who fought under its banner, we should at least have the humanity to ask why?
It is absolutely clear that Burmese pro-democracy…
Today the European Union (EU) agreed three new measures to toughen its position against Burma’s military dictatorship. The EU agreed a ban on the export of equipment that might be used for internal repression or terrorism; the naming of individuals within the regime to whom the current EU visa ban…
As Premier Oil prepares for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) a new report alleges that the Yetagun consortium which includes Premier Oil, was informed that increased numbers of Burmese troops, known for serious human rights violations, would be drafted into civilian areas to provide security for Premier’s gas pipeline. The…
PHOTOCALL: 10.30 am, Friday 26 May outside the offices of Lonely Planet publications (UK), 10a Spring Place, NW5.
The Burma Campaign UK (TBC) and Tourism Concern (TC) will launch a new arm of their existing campaign opposing tourism to Burma. The campaign groups are calling for a boycott…
A two week poster campaign in support of Burma’s pro-democracy movement will be launched on Thursday 15 June on the London Underground. The posters comprise a large portrait of Burma’s pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, with the question: “Why are 400,000 men so afraid of one woman?”. For the…
On Friday May 26 The Burma Campaign UK and Tourism Concern launched a new arm of their existing campaign opposing tourism to Burma - calling for a boycott of all Lonely Planet publications (LP) until the company withdraws its Burma guide from the market.
In anticipation of the boycott…
Amidst one of the most significant crackdowns against Burma’s pro-democracy movement the international community has failed to take any action against Burma’s ruling military.
Aung San Suu Kyi was forced to return to Rangoon after a nine day stand off with the military just outside of Rangoon. She has…
On Tuesday 12 September, 2000 between 12.30-2pm, the Burmese community and pro-democracy supporters will gather outside the Burmese Embassy, 19a Charles Street, off Berkeley Square, London in protest at the current political and human rights crisis in Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi was forced to return to Rangoon after a…
The Burma Campaign UK today cautioned against undue optimism about the prospects for democracy in Burma following reports that the Burmese military dictatorship has entered into talks with National League for Democracy (NLD) leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
It is the first time the…
The Burma Campaign UK are promising Directors of Premier Oil a rough ride at their AGM on Wednesday 16th May. Campaigners have purchased shares in Premier to enable them to attend the AGM and call for Premier Oil’s withdrawal from Burma.
“Premier Oil might be a relatively small company but…
Premier Oil’s board was under fire today as it launched its social performance report at the company’s Annual General Meeting. The report is being attacked for not addressing fundamental concerns relating to Premier’s impact on communities along its Burmese gas pipeline, and crucially the support the company provides to Burma’s…
Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. Millions of people have been forced into slave labour, and approximately 1,800 political prisoners languish in jail, many subject to torture.
The Day of Prayer is part of an international series of events timed to coincide with…
A new report published today by the Burma Campaign UK finds that companies investing in Burma expose themselves to economic and political risks that could damage their profitability.
The report: Investing in Burma – A review of the risks for investors and companies, was commissioned by the Burma Campaign UK…
The Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) today launched a campaign targeting lingerie giant Triumph International, in protest at the company’s support for Burma’s ruling military junta.
BCUK is calling for a boycott of all Triumph products until the company closes down its Burma-based manufacturing site.
Burma is ruled by an illegitimate…
Triumph International is a Swiss-based German multinational company owned by the Spiesshofer and Braun families. The company is one of Europe’s main retailers of lingerie. The company has an annual turnover of US$ 1.6 billion and employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. In 1996 Triumph International established a company in…
An initiative, launched today by eight investment funds, highlights Burma as a country posing unique problems for foreign companies. The eight institutions, including Morley Fund Management, Henderson Global Investors and Friends Ivory and Sime, represent £400 billion of investment. However, the UK’s Premier Oil, which has a controversial joint venture…
The Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) has welcomed an initiative, launched today by eight investment funds, which highlights Burma as a country posing unique problems for foreign investors. However, BCUK fears the initiative may fall short of achieving its objectives.
The eight institutions, including Morley Fund Management, Henderson Global Investors and…
On 8th December 2001 all living Nobel Peace Laureates will gather in Oslo to honour fellow Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, at an occasion which will mark the 10th anniversary of her own Peace award and the centennial anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize itself. Aung San Suu Kyi remains…
The Burmese Democratic Movement Association &
The Burma Campaign UK
INVITE YOU TO AN EVENING WITH
MAUREEN LIPMAN
MARK THOMAS
& PRO-DEMOCRACY SINGER MUN AWNG
8th DECEMBER 2001, 7.30pm
AT THE CANDID GALLERY, LONDON, N1
BURMESE FOOD WILL BE SERVED
Tickets cost £12 each, including…
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s offer to meet with the Burmese regime.
“The Burmese Generals need to realise that they and the people of Burma can win peace and freedom together” said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign. “We hope the international stature of Archbishop…
The Norwegian Olympic Team has just announced cancellation of it’s Triumph International sponsorship because of the company’s presence in Burma and the Burma Campaign UK’s (BCUK) high profile campaign against the company.
The Norwegian Team had refused to wear the Triumph logo or products unless the company pulls out of…
In a significant victory for the Burma Campaign UK (BCUK), lingerie giant Triumph International announced today that the company will close down its Burma-based manufacturing site. The announcement comes only two months after BCUK launched a campaign against Triumph – using striking images of models in barbed wire bras -…
In a powerful call to action, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace laureate and veteran of the Anti-Apartheid struggle is urging the UK to impose sanctions against Burma. The call comes in support of the Burma Sanctions Coalition which launches today. The Coalition, representing business, unions and campaign groups includes the…
A new campaign to persuade Amerada Hess to sell its 25 percent shareholding in Premier Oil is launched in London today.
The new campaign is aimed at increasing pressure on Premier Oil to pull out of Burma. In the first stage campaigners will use the internet to flood Hess’s UK…
A report by Shan Women’s Action Network on the systematic use of rape by the Burmese military.
To coincide with protests at Amerada Hess’s AGM in the US, the Burma Campaign UK is today calling on supporters to send faxes to Chairman John Hess’s direct number, calling on him to sell Hess’s 25 percent stake in Premier Oil.
“We can’t be there in person but we can…
The Burma Campaign UK welcomes the release from house arrest of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The release of the Nobel laureate is a crucial step towards the political and economic revival of Burma. However, the process is likely to be long and difficult, and the international pressure…
Shareholders are to be given blood stained five-pound notes at AGM on Friday 10th May.
The Burma Campaign UK is sending a strong message that there should be no let up of international pressure following the release of Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday. Premier Oil is the largest UK…
Campaigners from Friends of the Earth and The Burma Campaign UK went into today’s Premier Oil AGM to ask questions about the company’s collaboration with the Burmese military regime. But in what campaigners will cite as a clear indication of the company’s backwardness on corporate responsibility issues, regular shareholders complained…
Q: “It has been about six weeks since your release from house arrest, but talks between you and the military have not yet resumed. Why is that?”
A: “I don’t think you can say that the talks between us and the military have not yet resumed. I think what you…
The event celebrated the recent release from house arrest of pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi but also served as a crucial reminder that the campaign for democracy in Burma is at a critical stage, and your…
Tourism provides the dictatorship with millions of pounds every year, while forced labour has been used to develop many tourist facilities. For these reasons, Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to visit Burma.
The Burma Campaign UK has received information from reliable sources in Thailand, that theThai government is planning a massive crackdown on Burmese dissidents and ethnic leaders based in Thailand. The crackdown is thought to include planned raids on pro-democracy and human rights offices, the arrest of dissidents and the confiscation…
In an escalation of the campaign to persuade companies to cut ties with Burma’s brutal military regime, the Burma Campaign UK has written to the Chief Executives of nearly 100 high street clothing retailers calling on them to stop manufacturing and sourcing from Burma.
The Burma Campaign UK has set…
The Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) are celebrating the end of a decade long campaign to force Premier Oil UK out of Burma. Premier’s two largest shareholders, Petronas and Amerada Hess, will strip the company of its Burmese and Indonesian assets respectively.
Premier’s name has become synonymous with corporate irresponsibility. In…
The Burma Campaign UK today launched a global campaign against British American Tobacco (BAT). BAT have a factory in Burma which is a joint venture with the military regime. The campaign is backed by amongst others; the Federation of Trade Unions – Burma, UNISON, Glenys Kinnock MEP, actress Juliet Stevenson,…
Remembrance vigil for victims of tourism in Burma to be held outside Lonely Planet HQ
On Friday 8th November, 8.30-10am Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) will hold a remembrance vigil for those who have suffered as a direct result of tourism to Burma. The vigil will coincide with the publication of…
Comedy with Mark Thomas
introduced by Jon Snow
music from
Mike Rosenberg
Heidi Vogel & Gustavo Marquez
traditional Burmese dancing
bar & Burmese food available
Doors open 7.30pm
Performances start 8pm
29 November 2002
at Conway Hall, London, WC1R
Tickets cost £12 each; £8…
BAT is one of the most important UK investors in Burma. Its Burmese subsidiary – Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar – is a joint venture with Burma’s military regime; a regime described by the US State Department as brutal, repressive, and routinely using torture.
The Burma Campaign UK today publishes a ‘Dirty List’ of companies whose operations are directly or indirectly helping to finance the military dictatorship in Burma.
The Dirty List includes well known companies such as British American Tobacco (BAT), advertising giant Cordiant Communications, PwC, Suzuki, Orient Express, Kookai, Lonely Planet, DHL…
The Burma Campaign UK is planning mass protests at British American Tobacco’s AGM over its factory in Burma, which is a joint venture with the brutal military regime.
As well as protests outside the AGM, campaigners have purchased BAT shares so they can attend the AGM and question BAT’s board.…
As British American Tobacco (BAT) reports pre-tax profits of £2.11 billion the Burma Campaign UK today called on investors to put pressure on the company to close its factory in Burma. BAT are the target of a global campaign over their close links with the dictatorship in Burma.
“Shareholders should…
Protesters, wearing face masks of British American Tobacco Deputy Chairman Ken Clarke MP, will be demonstrating at BAT’s London HQ, calling on BAT to close the factory it jointly owns with Burma’s military dictatorship.
Protesters will also carry placards shaped as speech bubbles quoting a letter from Ken Clarke to…
The Burma Campaign UK today strongly condemned Intrepid Travel for its decision to return to Burma. Intrepid Travel, an Australian travel company with offices in the UK, USA and Canada, pulled out of Burma in 1999 saying it was concerned that its presence was not only benefiting Burma’s dictatorship financially,…
In recent weeks Mr Tony Blair, the leader of the Labour party, sent a personal message to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (Burma) and the Burmese Democracy movement, to address the Labour party conference as a distinguished international guest. In his letter…
The Burma Campaign UK today attacked Ethical Corporation magazine for inviting British American Tobacco (BAT) to speak at a conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The conference will be held in London on Thursday 10 April.
“Inviting BAT to speak at a conference on corporate responsibility is like inviting the…
In a major embarrassment for British American Tobacco (BAT) on the eve of its AGM, 77 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion calling on the company to close the factory it owns jointly with the military dictatorship in Burma.
Activists from Burma Campaign UK and Friends of the…
11.15am - 15 April 2003
The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1
British American Tobacco (BAT) shareholders arriving for their AGM tomorrow morning will be greeted by protesters wearing Burmese military uniforms and toting Rothmans cigarettes.
Supporters of Burma Campaign UK and Friends of the Earth are calling on…
BAT’s social and environmental performance attacked at AGMBritish American Tobacco (BAT) AGM,
The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London (tube: Moorgate)
11am: protest outside AGM. 11.30am: start of AGM.
Friends of the Earth and the Burma Campaign will challenge British American Tobacco’s social and environmental record at the company’s AGM in…
At today’s AGM the board of British American Tobacco faced a barrage of questions over its joint venture factory with Burma’s military dictatorship.
Fifty protesters from Burma Campaign UK and Friends of the Earth greeted shareholders as they arrived for the AGM. Campaigners had also bought shares so they could…
A coalition of organisations in 13 countries have joined forces to launch a new campaign to stop Austrian Airlines subsidiary Lauda Air flying to Burma.
Burma, ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world, is the subject of a tourist boycott following calls by Aung San…
Burma Campaign UK today called for the immediate release of Dr Salai Tun Than, a political prisoner on hunger strike in Burma.
In March 2002 Dr Salai Tun Than, a retired university rector, was sentenced to seven years in prison for distributing a letter calling for democracy in Burma. On…
Kuoni – Europe’s sixth largest travel company – has announced it will stop operating in Burma at the end of this year. The company has been on a ‘dirty list’ of companies in Burma published by the Burma Campaign UK.
Sue Biggs, Managing Director of Kuoni, told the Burma Campaign…
Europe’s sixth largest travel company, Kuoni Travel, today announced that it would pull out Burma and that it will not return until democracy is restored. The move follows pressure from The Burma Campaign UK and Friends of the Earth and increases pressure on those UK companies still collaborating with the…
The Burma Campaign UK today condemned British American Tobacco (BAT) for giving out misleading information that exaggerated the level of the poverty wages paid to its factory workers in Burma by 86 percent.
When challenged by the Burma Campaign UK to verify the wages paid, BAT issued figures claiming that…
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed an announcement by clothing retailer Bonmarché that it has stopped sourcing clothes from Burma.
The Burma Campaign UK is in the process of contacting all major clothing retailers as it compiles a ‘dirty list’ of those sourcing from Burma. Bonmarché made its decision after…
In the wake of the arrest of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burma Sanctions Coalition today called for Britain and the EU to immediately impose investment sanctions against Burma.
The coalition, whose members include Burma Campaign UK, Friends of the Earth, The Co-operative Bank, UNISON, and Archbishop…
The Burma Campaign UK today said it was astonished and appalled by the European Unions feeble response to the brutal crackdown on Burma’s democracy movement.
“I cannot believe it has taken the EU six days since the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi to come up with such a limp…
British American Tobacco (BAT) today faced renewed calls to pull out of Burma following a brutal crackdown on Burma’s democracy movement. Last Friday the regime’s thugs attacked a convoy carrying Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters and attempted to kill her. As many as sixty people were killed and…
Evidence compiled by the Burma Campaign UK from reliable sources shows Burma’s dictatorship is covering up a state-sponsored massacre.
As UN envoy Razali Ismail returns home after failing to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burma Campaign UK said it is now time for the UN Security Council to act.
“This is a snub to the United Nations and world opinion”, said John Jackson, Director of…
The Burma Campaign UK today announced it would be stepping up its campaign against tourism to Burma following a brutal crackdown on the democracy movement in that country.
On Friday 30th May a pro-government militia ambushed a convoy carrying pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters. The attack…
FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2003
12.30 – 1.30PM
PROTEST AT BURMESE EMBASSY,
19A KING CHARLES STREET, LONDON W1
Glenys Kinnock MEP will be joining a protest at the Burmese Embassy demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma.
Aung…
The Burma Campaign UK today slammed new EU sanctions against Burma as totally ineffective. The EU today announced that following a crackdown on the democracy movement in Burma, it would bring forward sanctions originally planned for October. These measures include extending the number of people subject to a visa ban,…
12 noon Thursday 19 June 03
As Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi spends her 58th birthday under arrest, up to 100 protesters are expected to join the Burmese community on a protest outside the House of Commons.
The protesters will be demanding the release of Aung San Suu…
As Aung San Suu Kyi spends her 58th birthday under arrest, parliamentarians from Europe and Asia have written a letter to Than Shwe, the dictator of Burma. They warn Than Shwe that they will be lobbying their governments to increase pressure on the regime, including taking the issue to the…
The Burma Campaign UK today demanded that Britain push for immediate action at the UN Security Council following news that Aung San Suu Kyi has been put in Insein Prison.
Insein Prison is notorious for its harsh conditions and use of torture and beatings.
“Insein is more than a prison,”…
The Burma Campaign UK today expressed its deep concern at the news that Aung San Suu Kyi is being held under article 10a of Burma’s 1975 State Protection Law. UN envoy Razali Ismail revealed Aung San Suu Kyi told him this was the law she was being held under when…
The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed British government calls for British American Tobacco (BAT) to pull out of Burma.
Foreign Office Minister, Mike O’Brien in a meeting today with Martin Broughton, Chairman of British American Tobacco, asked BAT to withdraw their investment from Burma. Mr Broughton agreed to consider…
A Dutch campaign against British American Tobacco (BAT) was started today because of BAT’s investments in junta-controlled Burma. Some 30 campaigners from Burma Center Netherlands and Burmese refugees in Holland conducted campaigning activities at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, near the main office of BAT in The Netherlands. The campaigners had made…
The British government has announced it will be writing to all travel organisations with links to Burma asking them to end their involvement in tourism to the country. Foreign Office minister Mike O’Brien made the announcement in a debate on Burma in the House of Commons just before calling on…
The Burma Campaign UK today described Mondays meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers as crucial in deciding whether the EU will ever be able to agree tough action on Burma.
At last month’s meeting Foreign Ministers failed to agree tough action in response to the May 30th arrest of Aung…
The Burma Campaign UK today accused Germany of protecting Burma’s brutal military dictatorship. European Union foreign ministers meeting today were expected to discuss what action they would take against the dictatorship in Burma. However, Germany’s refusal to consider economic sanctions meant that Burma had to be dropped from the agenda.
…The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed news that the Royal Society for Asian Affairs is cancelling a planned tourist trip to Burma. The Burma Campaign UK has been lobbying for the Society to call off the trip.
Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under arrest in…
Find out more in our Arms Embargo Question and Answer here.
“Global arms embargo is the best punishment for the ruling regime as it does not impact the people but has a lot of effect on the junta. By having an arms embargo, the people lose nothing but the regime will lose bullets or weapons to suppress the people.”
Win Tin (Central Executive Committee - National League for Burma)
The military regime in Burma is one of the most brutal in the world, using its half million strong army to oppress its population.
In Eastern Burma the UN has accused the regime of breaking the Geneva Conventions by deliberately targeting civilians. The Burmese Army rapes, loots, burns, tortures and kills. Civilians are shot on sight, even children.
In 2007 in Rangoon we saw the Burmese Army brutally crush a peaceful democracy uprising led by Buddhist Monks.
Despite these appalling acts, there is no UN global arms embargo on Burma. The brutal regime is still allowed to buy foreign weapons to commit these horrific human rights abuses and spends nearly half its budget on the military.
We desperately need your help.
The Burma Campaign UK is making a difference, but without support from members of the public our work would end.
