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Canadian action needed to end military dictatorship in Burma

Naresh Raghubeer and David Harris - 9/27/2007

Ottawa, Canada - On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier condemned Burma's military junta for the regime's escalating assaults on freedom, democracy and individual liberty. The junta has long detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, abused other pro-democracy leaders and protesters, and denied free expression and free association to its citizens.

"Canadians applaud Minister Bernier's firm support for democracy in Burma," said Alastair Gordon, President, Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD). "The Minister must now demonstrate Canada's commitment with decisive action aimed at ending the dictatorship, and restoring freedom to the Burmese people."

In the 1980s, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney played a significant role in bringing South Africa's apartheid regime to an end. In this tradition, Prime Minister Harper has an opportunity to advance his "democracy agenda" by helping to restore democracy in Burma. To achieve this, CCD urges the Government to:

* formally recognize Burma's pro-democracy government-in-exile (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB) and convene an international meeting in Ottawa of democratic governments to arrange necessary financial, political and other support for its efforts;
* increase financial support to humanitarian groups working within and outside Burma to alleviate its citizens' distress;
* provide material support to pro-democracy Burmese activists in Canada and abroad;
* expand Canada's travel visa ban on regime officials, their families and their financial supporters;
* toughen economic sanctions on the regime by prohibiting all imports from Burma;
* encourage Canadian firms to divest from Burma until democracy is restored; and,
* call on China to end its support of the military junta in Burma.

"Minister Bernier has taken an important first step in expressing support for the people of Burma," added Gordon. "But for the expressed support to translate into meaningful change, Canadians and their Government must take concrete action.

"As the people of Burma risk their lives and call out for support from democratic nations, we have a moral and strategic obligation to answer their call."