State bids for media control – Christian Science Monitor
“By standing shoulder to shoulder with the military, [Suu Kyi] has bought into the narrative they use to justify their behavior, that the nation is under serious threat from foreign terrorists”, Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, told the Christian Science Monitor. “Now her government is propagating that narrative, which is increasing tensions and the likelihood of further violence.”
TUC conference supports Burma Campaign UK
Thanks to the TUC for supporting human rights and democracy in Burma. Doug Janke, Burma Campaign UK’s head of development, on our stall at the TUC conference today.
Why won’t Aung San Suu Kyi act? – BBC’s Fergal Keane
Fergal Keane’s article for the BBC features an image of Aung San Suu Kyi on a former Burma Campaign UK poster with the words “Please use your liberty to promote ours”.
“Aung San Suu Kyi does not control the military and they do not trust her. But her refusal to condemn well-documented military abuses provides the generals with political cover”, the article concludes.
Aung San Suu Kyi should speak out – CBC News
“She was the one person in the country who really could have challenged this really ingrained and endemic prejudice against Muslims in the country and Rohingya in particular,” Mark Farmaner of Burma Campaign UK told Canada’s CBC News.
And Tun Khin, President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, said “We are witnessing the most horrific situation in our history … Now I want to ask Aung San Suu Kyi: Please use your liberty to promote ours.”
Stop Myanmar’s savagery against Rohingya – Asia Sentinel
Calling for international action to end the genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority community, Asia Sentinel quotes Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK, saying that the British government has not changed its policy and is conducting business relations with Myanmar as if nothing has happened.
The Lady’s failings, the military’s crimes – The Guardian
In its editorial today, the Guardian calls for an end to British training of the Burmese army. “The military’s head, Min Aung Hlaing, has no pedestal to topple from. Few even know his name. But they should; he is the man who calls the shots. Finding ways to exert pressure on the military is essential. Suspending the UK’s training of Myanmar’s army would be a good start.”
Target sanctions on Burmese military – Mint Press News
Experts say targeted sanctions, rather than general criticism, are the best way to help the Rohingya, reports Mint Press News.
Arguing for pressure to be placed on individual governments to stop feting Min Aung Hlaing, Mark Farmaner said “He loves his international trips – going abroad and luxury dinners. He’s posting it on his Facebook all the time.”
Criticism should focus on Min Aung Hlaing – Al Bawaba
The international community should focus its attention on the Burmese army chief to stop the violence in Rakhine State, Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, told the Al Bawaba Middle East news service. “There is one person in Burma who has the responsibility for what’s happening and has the power to stop it and that is Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military,” he said.
Mark Farmaner interviewed on BBC World at One
The Burmese army’s systematic campaign of terror against the Rohingya is the “biggest human rights crisis Burma has faced in decades”, Mark Farmaner told the BBC’s World at One today. He called for visa bans against Min Aung Hlaing and other army chiefs, an end to the British military training programme, and a global arms embargo.
Listen to BBC interview – 23.30 minutes in
British foreign aid used to train the Burmese army – Daily Mail
Burma Campaign UK has called for an immediate halt to the British foreign aid training programmes that are provided for free to the Burmese military.
‘British taxpayers will be horrified to learn that their tax money is spent training an army of rapists and child killers,’ Mark Farmaner told the Daily Mail.