hunger strikers response to Downer

[mmthan@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Statement in response to the Australian  Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander 
Dowers, call for protection of  human rights in Burma.

We, members of the Burmese community and the 9999 Action Committee staging a 
Dawn to Dusk Hunger Strike (from 20 August to 1 September) outside the New 
South Wales Parliament would like to express our views on the Foreign Affair 
Mister statement dated 23rd of August 1999.

We greatly appreciate Mr Downer's  call for protection of human rights in 
Burma. However, we are most concerned and upset that Mr Downer's proposal 
for a Human Rights Commission in Burma would only benefit the military 
regime, that so ruthlessly rules our country. Rather than assisting to 
protect human rights Mr Downer's actions could help to legitimise the junta 
by polishing up its international image .

It needs to be recognised that the last visit to Burma by the Australian 
Human Rights Commissioner did not advance the human rights of people living 
in Burma. After the Commissioner, Mr Chris Sidoti, left Burma over three 
hundred students and other people were arrested. These people has been 
participating in activities promoting the peaceful 9999 movement. 5000 
political prisoners including students and MPs are still under detention.
 .
The Australian government needs to be careful in its association with the 
Burmese military junta. Mr Downer's plans to work on human rights within 
Burma can result in the further violation of human rights.

The regime is made up of unelected generals, who continue to perpetrate 
gross violations against the people of Burma. These people are 
unaccountable. They are an unreliable partner for Mr Downer to consider 
working with as a way to alleviate the plight of Burmese people .

We urge the Australian Government recognise the results of the 1990 
elections. The parliamentarians elected in 1990 formed the Committee 
Representing People's Parliament CRPP. (This body had originally been formed 
in September 1998 by 251 parliamentarians-elect.)

Mr Downer could most usefully promote human rights in Burma by encouraging 
the regime to enter into peaceful dialogue with the CRPP. This would be an 
important step towards reconciliation and the convening of the people's 
parliament.

We hunger strikers thanks the many people of Australia who have supported 
our cause. It is heartening to receive supported for the betterment of the 
people of Burma from here and around the world.

Our hunger strike action outside the New South Wales parliament has been 
supported by over a thousand people. Strong support has been received for 
our petition from a number of parliamentarians including Ms Meredith 
Burgmann, President of the Legislative Council and member of the Australian 
Labor Party); Mr John Marry, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and member 
of the  ALP); Ian Mcdonald . Asistant Minister ( Australian Labor Party) ,  
opposition leader and member of the NSW Liberal Party Ms Kerry Chikarovski; 
former Liberal leader Mr Peter Collins; Liberal member  Mr Chris Hatcher; Ms 
Lee Rhiannon Greens MLC; Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans Democrats MLC; and Ms 
Jennie George, President of the ACTU.  The petition signed by these people 
recognises the CRPP as the highest authority of Burma, and calls on the NSW 
parliament to introduce a selective purchasing law to determine their 
dealings with Burma. Under such a law Australian companies doing business 
with the Burmese regime will not be entitled to enter into any contracts for 
work with the NSW government.

We, the hunger strikers, also demand that the Australian government suspends 
recognition of the SPDC regime. This junta is not the rightful government of 
Burma. By withdrawing recognition Australians will be assisting in the 
democratisation of our country, which has been under dictatorship since 
1962.

We urge that the Australian Government highlight the need to protect the 
human rights of the people of Burma when the 9999 peaceful rallies are 
launched  on the 9th September 1999 . At this time it is vital that Mr 
Downer uses all diplomatic channels to ensure that the human rights of the 
people in Burma are not violated.

We have our right to a democratically elected government. We have a right to 
protest. We call on Mr Downer, the Australian government and all the 
Australian people to assist us. 9999 peaceful protests will be a vital part 
in winning our human rights.


Hunger strikers, 9999 Action Committee
Outside NSW Parliament
26th August 99.


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