More than 80 people joined a demonstration at the British Foreign Office in London today. Protestors are calling on the UK government to take action following the arrest of more than 100 peaceful protestors in Burma in the past week.
“We welcome the fact that the Foreign Office has made a statement of support,” said Myo Thein, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “However, that should be the beginning of the process, not the end. The UK must use its seat at the Security Council to demand an urgent discussion on the current crisis, and also insist that the EU strengthen the Common Position on Burma.”
Protestors carried placards with slogans including; ‘David Miliband help our people’, ‘How many arrests before UK acts?’ ‘Security Council Action Now’, and ‘Has Anyone Seen Gambari?’ David Miliband is the British Foreign Secretary. Ibrahim Gambari is the UN Envoy to Burma. Gambari has been silent since the latest crackdown.
In a sign of the deep level of concern about UK inaction, the demonstration was the first that the Burma Campaign UK had organised at the Foreign Office in over a decade.
The UK government, EU, Swedish, Danish, French, Czech and Irish governments have all made statements condemning the recent arrests, but none have followed up with any concrete action. EU Ministers meet on 7th September, and the Burma Campaign UK is calling on them to discuss stronger measures against the regime.
The protest was organised jointly by Burma Campaign UK, Burmese Democratic Movement Association, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Pictures available on request.
For more information contact Myo Thein or Mark Farmaner on 020 7324 4710