[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

James Mawdsley, What is his Life Wo



Subject: Re: James Mawdsley, What is his Life Worth?

Dawn Star wrote:
> 
> Correction. James Leander (Leo) Nichols, died in Insein Prison June 22
> 1996 three years, not two as stated in error, sorry) . Nichols, an
> Anglo-Burmese, was arrested by Slorc's (SPDC) goons April 5 1996 for
> using unauthorized fax machines and a telephone exchange at his house.
> He was sentenced to three years in prison under a 1933 telegraphic law.
> EU diplomats failed to obtain his release, although he worked as
> honorary consul for Norway, Sweden and some other European countries.
> Later in October, the EU passed sanctions against the junta.
> 
> Dawn Star wrote:
> >
> > There is no price on it. How could anyone put a price on his life,
> > perhaps except SPDC. But he is worth more living than dead, and in
> > prison, and I do not think it is wise to let the EU, UK or Australian
> > diplomats play tit for tat games with the junta to get him out. They
> > didnt get Uncle Leo out two years ago, and he was a lot older, tough,
> > but with medical history that was exploited by his captors until he
> > died. They say he was tortured. James Mawdsley is made of younger, tough
> > stuff, and he is very determined, as determined as ALL of us should be
> > to see that he is released. It could have been you or me. Perhaps it
> > should have been. But he is doing what he felt he had to do and we have
> > a moral and collective obligation to help. None of us in the Free Burma
> > Movement can afford another tragedy by a western humanitarian who has
> > decided to get serious with the junta. Its time all of us, now in these
> > days approaching 9999, get serious too.
> >
> > That is why I have asked for all the UK and Australian embassy contact
> > points, soon to be posted on the net. There should be a concise,
> > coherent and collective solidarity drive to sustain him in prison, to
> > let him know that he has been embraced by the Free Burma Movement, and
> > that we consider him ONE OF OURS AND WE DO NOT AND ARE NOT GOING TO LET
> > HIM DOWN AND IGNORE HIM.
> >
> > Let those of you in the shadows come out and help those who are now
> > willing to do whatever is decided as the most collective and
> > constructive action to take. If he should become a symbol of our
> > occidental committment, here from the European countries, or from
> > anywhere, the UK, Australia,  around the world, his face should be
> > seen and his voice heard. His tragedy must be shared by us all.
> >
> > You know in these prison conditions a young man of his physical strength
> > will probably not last very long. He is not conditioned for these prison
> > conditions. He is no army commando, he is not immune to terrible
> > infectious diseases, like hepatitus which can easily kill you. (I know
> > from personal experience). As long as he is inprison, his days are
> > numbered and it is only a question of time before he dies there, or let
> > us pray, is released.
> >
> > James Mawdsley is a seasoned fighter, no newcomer to the struggle for
> > freedom in Burma. He has been working in the field, on the ground, in
> > harm's way, directly confronting the tragedy, not like many of us, far
> > from the scene, aloof and protected in simulated environments, with the
> > Internet to fight our enemy. He has gone face to face with his
> > tormentors and now he is caught in a trap.
> >
> > Perhaps he more than ever now represents all of Burma today. Caught in a
> > trap. Let him be an example to us all who have been afraid to take on
> > the kind of direct action that he has, or have decided for other motives
> > not to.
> >
> > I should immediately like to see some relay committee begin to organise
> > to become more active and more involved in this case. Let us coordinate
> > suggestions and efforts, and let us do it now.
> >
> > I have not yet heard from the NCGUB or other native Burmese or Ethnic
> > Minority organisations. Where do you stand now on helping your western
> > partners who are helping you.
> >
> > Lets not have another Leo Nichols tragedy. Once was far too much.
> >
> > Thank you,
> > Dawn Star
> > EuroBurmaNet
> > Paris