Subject: TL & Indonesian NGO statements in solidarity with Burma

Also Statement - INDONESIAN SOLIDARITY WITH BURMESE PEOPLE

Joint Statement

Timor-Leste NGOs in Solidarity of Peaceful Demonstrations Led by Buddhist Monks in Burma, Urging Government to Enter into Dialogue
We, representatives of Timor-Leste Human Rights NGOs express our deepest solidarity in the spirit of human rights with the peaceful and holy movement initiated by Buddhist Monks and joined by many Burmese citizens, who have been holding peaceful demonstrations exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression for several days now in different places in the country.

We are very concerned about media reports that the Government has now used force in response to the demonstrations, that demonstrators have been beaten and that two persons might have been killed. We strongly condemn this brutal crackdown to stop this peaceful demonstration and urge the Government to enter into dialogue with its population, and to allow the UN Special Envoy immediate and free access to the country.

We support statements by the UN as well as the international community including the Timor-Leste Government strongly condemning the violence in Burma. We appeal to ASEAN and the Chinese Government, to intervene in whatever manner possible, to urge the Burmese government to show utmost restraint and avoid the recurrence of the pain and suffering resulting from its actions in 1988, now almost 20 years ago. We call on ASEAN and all its members, in the true spirit of being an association of nations, to act immediately and not to consider the recent development in Burma as Burma?s internal matter only.

The current events in Burma remind us, Timorese, starkly of the struggle for human rights we went through in our recent history. We never forget the international solidarity shown in the past around the world for the plight of the Timorese. We know that the use of violence and oppression never leads to genuine lasting stability and peace. The voices of the Burmese people urgently need to be heard. We therefore appeal to the Burmese government to immediately release the leader of the National League for Democracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and engage in talks with a view to ultimately finding a long-term solution to the important issues Burma is facing today, and that is just for all its people.

Timor-Leste, 27 September 2007

For release and for further information
Contact: Joao Pequinho (Hp. (+670) 724 2099)

This statement has been signed by:

FORUM TAU MATAN - EYES ON HUMAN RIGHTS (FTM)
La'o Hamutuk - The Timor-Leste Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
East Timor Reflection Network (ETCRN)
Grupo Feto Foinsae Timor Leste (GFFTL)
Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP)
East Timor Insight Research Laboratory
Konfederasaun Sindikatu Timor-Leste (KSTL)
Alola Foundation
KATILOSA - Disability Support Program
HAK Association
Pat Walsh (Individual)
Rogerio Vicente (individual)
Amelia de Araujo (individual)

in Portuguese

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Some civil society organizations which are merged into Indonesian Solidarity Action for Burma are holding protests in front of Myanmar Embassy to support the democratization process in Myanmar. - INFID

Statement

INDONESIAN SOLIDARITY WITH BURMESE PEOPLE

(SOLIDARITAS INDONESIA UNTUK RAKYAT BURMA )

re:

The Peaceful Protest Action Supporting the Burmese Peoples Struggle Against the Myanmar Military Junta.

 
The peaceful protest actions led by the monks of Burma against the Myanmar military junta and for the restoration of democracy have finally been confronted with guns and other violent action. At least nine people have been killed (including one journalist) and hundreds, perhaps thousands, arrested. The Mynmar junta has also cracked down on the press and instituted a blockade of communication in order to constrain the flow of information. The leader of the democratic struggle, Aung Saan Suu Kyi, has been seized from her home where she has been under house arrest, and moved to Insein prison. Once more the Myanmar military junta has spilled blood. The struggle for democracy in Burma must continue in order to end the Myanmar military junta's oppression. The road map to democracy which had been offered as the hope for a peaceful solution in Burma is further and further away from being realised.

As components of civil society who are opposed to violence against the people and who are struggling for human rights and democracy, it is our duty to continue the struggle without concern for state borders.   Indonesian Solidarity with the People of Burma (Solidaritas Indonesia Untuk Rakyat Burma - SIRB) is an Indonesian alliance which supports the struggle of the Burmese people. SIRB fully supports the resilient and courageous struggle of the Burmese people against the Myanmar military junta.

The Burmese people have been struggling for 19 years against a military power which used violence and undemocratic methods in seizing and retaining power. The 888 massacre ( 8 August, 1988) and the cancellation of the democratic general elections which was won by the National League for Democracy was the bloody foundation upon which this regime stands.

The resilience of the Burmese military junta has been possibly partly because of the political and economic support it receives from China, Russia and India ? all of whom have fully supported the actions of the regime in the past. At the same time, the lack of a clear and firm political stand by ASEAN has also provided another basis of support for the Myanmar military junta.

The Indonesian government has also never taken a clear and firm stand on the issue of a   political solution for Burma. Indonesia has abstained on votes on Burma in the Security Council of the United Nations. Indonesian has never taken a progressive initiative within ASEAN aimed at solving the Burmese issue, which has always been a sensitive and complicated issue in ASEAN. Indeed during his 2006 visit to Burma, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono firmly refused to meet Aung San Suu Kyi whom he viewed as a "rebel".

Indonesian Solidarity with the People of Burma (Solidaritas Indonesia untuk Rakyat Burma) thus demands a change in political stance by the Indonesian government which must begin to be pro-active in achieving a political solution for Burma. As current president of the UN Security Council, Indonesia must press for a UN SC resolution on Burma condemning the Myanmar military junta's violence and sending a Special Envoy to investigate the violence. As a member of the UN Human Rights Commission, Indonesia must also press for a solution in Burma within the corridors of democracy and respect for human rights. Within ASEAN, Indonesia must lead the way in expelling Burma from ASEAN until a democratic solution is implemented in Burma.

Indonesian Solidarity with the Burmese People also condemns the blind support to the junta from China, India and Russia, who moved to veto and block the 2007 UN SC resolution intended to support a process towards democratisation. China, Russia and India must end their support for the Myanmar military junta.

Indonesian Solidarity with the Burmese People condemns the acts of violence, murders, violation of political and civil rights, suppression of the press, murder of journalists and other violation of human rights carried out by the Myanmar military junta against the monks and people of Burma who are demanding a restoration of democracy. Indonesian Solidarity with the Burmese People demands the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the thousands of other political prisoners. The violence and murder must end immediately. The Myanmar military junta must end its rule and recognise the results of 1990 democratic elections as an essential condition of restoring democracy in Burma.
 

Jakarta, 28 September 2007

 
Solidaritas Indonesia untuk Rakyat Burma

(Indonesian Solidarity with the Burmese People)

comprising:

ANBTI, INFID, Institut Ungu, KMSUB/Solidamor, DPP PKB, GHURE,
HIKMAHBUDHI, SHMI, MADIA, Papernas, LMND, Demos, UPC, Repdem, Migrant CARE, PIJAR, LBH Jakarta, Arus Pelangi, PBHI Jakarta, Sarekat Hijau
Indonesia, Manusia (Masyarakat Anti Nuklir Indonesia), TIM, YPSEA
Indonesia, GMKI, Tranparency International - Indonesia, Gerakan Mahasiswa
Sosialis, Solidaritas Perempuan, KAPAL Perempuan, YSIK, Praxis, KONTRAS, HRWG, Federeasi Kontras, SIKAP Institute, CePAD, Yayasan Duta Awam, CIMW, PBJ, PMK-HKBP, Institut Perempuan, ALHA-RAKA, PPOTODA FH UNBRAW, KMP-KWI, HAPSARI Sumut, IGJ, Wahid Institute, Sekitarkita, LkiS Yogyakarta, SARI Solo, PKWJ UI, Institute Ecosoc Rights, Perhimpunan Solidaritas Buruh Yogyakarta, SBMI Jatim, Koalisi Perempuan Indonesia, KBRD, Tifa Foundation, ILRC, MDI, IDSPS, LIMA, GANDI, APKP, Pergerakan Indonesia, Forum LSM Yogya, Asian Migrant Centre, Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, KOTKIHO,


Individu: Sandra Moniaga, Genie Achnas, Dewi Novirianti,
 

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