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Activists say “ there’s blood in the ballot”; reiterate call to probe junta’s crimes against humanity
By Free Burma Coalition - Philippines • September 24, 2010
About a hundred of Filipino solidarity activists under the Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils) today joined the international commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of the historic Saffron Revolution in Burma where thousands of peaceful demonstrators led by Buddhist monks, nuns, students and ordinary citizens took to the streets of Rangoon and provincial centers as they demanded social, economic and political changes to the Burmese military junta.
It will be remembered that the whole world witnessed on Sept 26, 2007 the brutal, repressive and undemocratic nature of the Burmese military regime as the army opened fire into the protesting monks and civilians.
FBC-Phils reiterated support to the international clamor for the creation of the UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to crimes against humanity in Burma. Members of the group displayed placards bearing the names of victims of crimes perpetrated by the SPDC military junta to dramatize the extent of the military junta’s systematic attack against the people of Burma.
THERE’S BLOOD IN THE BALLOT:
During the rally, FBC-Philippines also denounced the elections planned by the military junta in November as a desperate attempt at showing the region and the world that they are on the right path to democracy.
“There can be no credible, just and truthful elections amidst the widespread brutal crimes being committed by the SPDC junta against the people of Burma. The rape of women and girls, the forced labor, forced recruitment of children to army, and the attacks against ethnic nationalities and democracy activists must all stop; and the junta made accountable for these crimes, before any meaningful electoral process can be held,” Egoy Bans, spokesperson of the coalition, said.
“While the peoples of Burma are struggling for their daily survival, the junta is too preoccupied thinking about its survival in power. Instead of addressing the issues of human rights and poverty alleviation, the regime is excessively concerned on how it could get legitimacy via the election. At this early, indeed, there’s blood in the ballot, “ Bans said.
Representatives of Amnesty International (AI), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), APL-Women, APL-Youth, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Sanlakas, and other groups took turns delivering messages of solidarity to the people of Burma and calls for international community to denounce the SPDC-designed elections.
Capping the one-hour activity, the activists offered josh sticks in remembrance of the martyrs of the Saffron Revolution and all those who perished under the brutal SPDC regime.
For inquiries, kindly refer to: Gani Abunda: (+63)929-4109647, Egoy N. Bans (+63)920 9132472 c/o Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) +632 435 2900; +632 9110205
Tags: Free Burma Coalition - Philippines, Philippines, Saffron RevolutionThis post is in: Press Release
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