Pressure needed to bring freedom for Burmese people
by John Stevenson
The world's hearts go out just now to the Burmese people
facing the tragedy of the recent cyclone and you can donate
to the relief fund at www.dec.org.uk
And last month, hearts went out to the Burmese people as
the STUC challenged the oppression which has now come so tragically
into focus and it will press Scottish-based companies to cut
ties with Burma to build pressure to lift that oppression.
It will also call on trust managers of any investment of
trade union members or pension to withdraw funds from the
'dirty list' of companies that invest in Burma. It will expose
the use of forced labour and lobby the Scottish and UK governments
to put pressure on Burma, following a motion from UNISON Scotland.
"Conference is appalled at the wide spread oppression, grave
human rights abuse and violations inflicted by the military
junta in Burma", said UNISON's Hamid Rasheed.
"Since 1962, Burma has been ruled by one of the most brutal
dictatorships in the world. In 1988 a student led pro-democracy
uprising was brutally put down by the regime. In 1990, the
regime held elections, in which the National League for Democracy
led by Aung San Suu Kyi won over 80% seats.
"The regime refused to accept the election results and imprisoned
and tortured the elected members and political activists."
Hamid outlined the distressing truth of life in Burma. In
eastern Burma, the regime is engaged in ethnic cleansing,
rape is used as a weapon of war.
"Each day Burmese trade unionists (including UNISON members)
risk imprisonment, torture and their lives", he added.
Read more at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2008
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