After their rally yesterday in front of the Myanmar (Burma) Embassy, activists under Free Burma Coalition-Philippines today held another rally outside the Thai Royal Embassy in Makati City and urged Thailand government, the next Chair of the ASEAN to also echo the demand for the immediate postponement of National Referendum in Burma. FBC-Phils is urging the ASEAN to likewise help in monitoring safe delivery of goods and services in disaster struck areas of the said cyclone-devastated country.
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Filipino activists demand release of all political detainees in Burma
With almost 2000 democratic leaders and political activists still languishing in Burmese jails, Filipino solidarity activists today picketed the Burma (Myanmar) Embassy in Makati City and further denounced junta’s violations of the human rights of political prisoners.
Remembering Jabiddah Massacre
The Mindanao People’s Caucus will spearhead a Mindanao Youth Caravan for Peace on March 14-18 from Mindanao to Corregidor Island in view of the commemoration of the 40th infamous Jabiddah Massacre. This will be participated by hundred of youth leaders coming from the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Maguindanao and Davao. The caravan will converge in Corregidor on March 18 and bring together key leaders of the Bangsamoro people with civil society, church, media and peace networks to reaffirm the commitment and joint efforts for the success of this campaign.
FBC-Phils observes Int’l Human Rights Week; holds “Haranang Bayan”
In line with the observance of International Human Rights Week, solidarity group for Burma Free Burma Coalition-Philippines held what they called “Haranang Bayan”, a Night of Filipino Solidarity for the Peoples of Burma last December 7.
Stop the Killing of Monks! Send in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Burma
Aware and deeply saddened by the violent crackdown of the peaceful and democratic protests in Burma, the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) calls upon the leaders of the world to embrace the monks and democratic defenders under the mantle of international protection and solidarity. The monks are paying the price of democracy with their own blood and we cannot continue to simply watch them die one by one in the hands of a brutal and ruthless military regime.
Filipino activists urge Burmese: “People Power to Overthrow Junta”
Members of the SANLAKAS and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP-Solidarity of Filipino Workers), both forerunners of the Free Burma Coalition – Philippines, called on the Burmese people to step up their defiance of the SPDC military junta thru a people power similar to the Philippine experience and eventually overthrow the SPDC military junta.
Statement of the All-Women groups who picketed the SPDC embassy in Manila
As women – trafficking survivors, mothers, sisters, activists – we honour the nuns and monks who walked barefoot in the streets of Rangoon, Mandalay and other parts of Burma to protest against the 45-year old military regime. Sparked by the recent sharp fuel price hikes, the Burmese religious and people started pouring to the streets after a deadline set by the monks themselves. We feel their suffering and those of their people, women and men, in poverty and severe fascist rule.
Davao Rights Group Calls for Solidarity for Burma
Davao-based international solidarity organization, the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), secretariat of Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (DBC-Phils), is leading a series of solidarity activities to support the ongoing people power uprising in Burma (also known as Myanmar).
Filipino solidarity groups slam crackdown in Burma, ask UN, ASEAN to take decisive action
“The protests continued but were marred by violent dispersals. The military junta did not exercise restraint! It has crossed the line by beating and arresting the peacefully marching Buddhist monks and other people. This is unacceptable”
Defend the people of Burma, UN, ASEAN urged
Thousands of Buddhist monks, artists, and people in all walks of life are flooding the streets of Burma today. There is a nationwide general strike called by the All Burma Monk Alliance as they peacefully trooped to about twenty-six (26) cities and towns across the country. Knowing the way Burmese junta handles situation like this—there is a massacre waiting to happen.
Filipino Burma supporters picket Chinese Consulate in Makati
Citing China as Burmese junta’s number one supporter, activists around the world today picketed Chinese embassies worldwide and challenged the current Chinese government to reverse its foreign policy on Burma.
Fuel price hike: “Fueling the oppression in Burma”
More than 100 people arrested and detained, with fear of being tortured, 500% arbitrary increase in diesel and gasoline prices and a military government that is either unable or unwilling to reform, a dreadful human rights environment—this is the sorry state of Burma today.
Rights group calls on ASEAN, UN to help halt arrests of activists in Burma
Following the spate of arrests of activists in military-ruled Burma triggered by swelling public discontent over sharp rise in fuel prices in the said territory, regional solidarity network Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) today urged the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to immediately take action and help stop the massive arrests and torture of activists now numbering to more than 100 people.
Preliminary Statement: Election Observation Mission in East Timor
We strongly salute and congratulate the people of Timor-Leste, who have overwhelmed us with their commitment to democracy. Despite many challenges, the Parliamentary Election has been carried out quite successfully. The process has strengthened this young nation’s institutions, and the relatively peaceful environment during the election period is a welcome change from the atmosphere after last year’s crisis. As the cycle of elections nears its conclusion, it is now up to all the political parties to respect the democratic wishes of the people for peace and a renewed focus on national development.
Women workers lead rally in front of Burma embassy
In line with the celebration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 62^nd birthday, women workers under the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines and Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) today held a protest action in front of the Burma Embassy in Makati City and further denounced Burmese regime’s decision last month to extend Aung San Suu Kyi’s term of house arrest for another 6 months. The group called not just for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest but also for the freedom of the rest of political prisoners who are still languishing in Burmese jails.
Activists tell UN, ASEAN: We told you so. We’re doing our job, time to do yours
Reacting on the extension of house arrest for another 6 months of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, activists in the Philippines today said that the civil society is doing its share aimed at bringing back democracy in Burma. They however slammed the United Nations and the ASEAN for not doing theirs enough.
Activists picket Asean Regional Forum
{mosimage}Members of the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines and Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) today held a rally outside the Shangrila Plaza Hotel in Makati City and urged delegates of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to include the issue of Burma on ARF’s agenda. The groups are also calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whose term of house arrest expires on May 27, Sunday.
Activists Warn Junta in Burma: Release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or face more protests
As Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s term of house arrest is scheduled to end on May 27, members of Free Burma Coalition-Philippines (FBC-Phils) and Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) yesterday warned the ruling military junta in Burma known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest or the Burmese regime would face more international protests.
IID joins the 5th Asia-Europe Roundtable
The Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) has been invited to join the 5th Asia-Europe Roundtable (AER) on “Sustaining the peace through post-conflict reconstruction” to be held in Singapore on May 23-25.
Rights groups slam gang-rape and jailing of schoolgirls in Burma; ask ASEAN, UN to intervene
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, rights groups today slammed the recent gang-rape of four Kachin schoolgirls by Burmese soldiers who jailed the victims after their sordid deed. The schoolgirls plight highlighted demands for justice for all the victims of women rights abuses in Burma perpetrated by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) the name of the military government in Burma.