Australian govt legitimises Burmese dictatorship
A human rights training program, provided by the australian govt to the
Burmese military regime, started today , despite the protests of democratic
leader Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi and Burmese community and the Australian
supporters.
On June 28, the senate passed a resolution calling on the government to
withdraw the $500,000 funding for this training. On the same day , the
Australian council of trade Union Congress condemn the Australian government
for assisting the Burmese regime.
Burmese community groups organised several protests. Last Thursday in Sydney
protesters occupied the NSW Liberal party Hq in Darlinghurst for an hour to
stress their demand for cancellation of the project. They also held meetings
with official of the department of Foreign Affairs and Trade DFAT and
Ausaid, to lodge their protests.
"Today professor david kinley, from Human rights department of law faculty
at Monash university in Melbourne, is running the training for the officers
of military regime," said Maung Maung Than of free Burma Action Committee.
"This is against the will of Burmese people and our leader Daw Aung Sann
Suu Kyi who made public her no-confidence statement on this project. I urge
the Australian public, education unions, trade unions, student unions, and
other supporters for democratic Burma to take action against the government
and Monash university," said Mr Than.
An urgent protest, organised by Free Burma Action Committee, will take
place at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission at 133
Castlereagh street (Picadilly tower) in Sydney, on Thursday 6h of July 2000
Noon.
for further info call Maung Maung Than 0411337816
===== end=====
The President of senate
Parliament of Australia
29 June 2000
The Honourable Alexander Downer MP
Minister for Foreign Affair
Parliament House
Canberra, ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
I transmit to you the text of the following resolution agreed to by the
senate on 28 June 2000:
That the Senate-
(a) notes the call by Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma, and by free Burma Action
committee in Australia, for the cancellation of the Human Rights training
program offered by Australia to the Burmese military regime: and
(b) calls on the Australian government to withdraw funding from the program
unless and until it gains the approval of the democratically elected leader
of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Yours Faithfully,
signed by
Margaret Reid
President of the Senate
LL.NG
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