The Burma Campaign UK today dismissed an announcement by Burma’s new Prime Minister Khin Nyunt that the regime would restart a national convention that would lead to free and fair elections.
“We have been here before,” said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “There have already been elections and the generals lost. The regime is leading the world on a sick kind of merry-go-round. Every year or two they announce a new initiative, but in the 15 years that this regime has ruled Burma there has not been a single democratic reform. In fact things have got worse.”
The Burma Campaign UK expressed concern that the international community would use the announcement to avoid taking action against the regime. With the exception of the United States the international community has failed to take strong action against Burma’s dictatorship.
“Countries that have traditionally been soft on the dictatorship, such as Germany which is blocking European Union economic sanctions, may use this to justify their position,” said John Jackson. Germany is the target of a Europe campaign because of its opposition to economic sanctions on Burma.
“It is time to get off the merry-go-round,” says John Jackson. “The United Nations must impose tough economic sanctions on Burma. It is what Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy are calling for, and it is what the regime in Burma fears most.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JOHN JACKSON, DIRECTOR OF THE BURMA CAMPAIGN UK, OR MARK FARMANER, MEDIA OFFICER, ON 020 7281 7377