Burma Activists To Hold Olympic Torch Protest.
Sunday 6th April – 12.30-1.30pm Downing Street. The torch is scheduled to pass at 1pm.
The Burma Campaign UK and Burmese political exiles will hold a protest at Downing Street as the Olympic torch passes. Campaigners will be demanding China stops supporting Burma’s brutal military dictatorship.
China arms the regime in Burma, supplying weapons, ammunition and military vehicles.
China finances the regime in Burma. By signing deals in the oil, gas, hydro-electric and mining sectors China provides the regime with an economic lifeline.
China protects the regime in Burma. China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called on the regime to begin transition to democracy.
“China’s support for Burma’s brutal regime is a mockery of the Olympic aim of contributing to building a peaceful and better world, one of friendship, solidarity and fair play,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of the Burma Campaign UK.
Burma has been ruled by military dictatorship since 1962. More than 1,800 political prisoners languish in jail, many have been tortured. In Eastern Burma the Burmese regime is engaged in ethnic cleansing, destroying more than 3,000 villages in the past ten years. Rape is used as a weapon of war, and tens of thousands of people have been used as slave labour.
For more information contact Mark Farmaner, Director of the Burma Campaign UK, on 020 7324 4710