Activists to Hold Global Actions Against Military Elections in Burma
By Burma Partnership | October 20, 2010 Burma Groups and Supporters Show their Support for the People of Burma’s ResistanceIn the final two weeks before the military regime’s elections, Burma’s exiles and their supporters will be holding a series of actions around the world to show their solidarity with the people of Burma and their resistance against the elections.
Burma’s military regime has been using any possible means to ensure their victory in the 7 November elections. Using state resources, the regime-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has employed intimidation and bribery to buy votes and sideline independent political parties and candidates. The regime, their hand-picked Election Commission and the USDP have deprived the people of the basic characteristics of a truly democratic election: freedoms of expression, assembly and association.
Despite the military regime’s severe restrictions, the people of Burma have demonstrated their opposition to the elections in various ways. The National League for Democracy has been traveling across the country, building public support for the boycott of the polls. Activists in ethnic areas have posted flyers in public places with the words “2010 Elections” crossed out, also urging people to “Boycott the Elections.” Generation Wave activists in Rangoon put up posters emblazoned with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s quote, “You have the right not to vote.” Monks have also been stamping money and distributing flyers opposing the elections in their alms bowls. The regime has responded with threats and crackdowns; in September, six university students were arrested for passing out leaflets calling for a boycott.
These two weeks of actions will be visual expressions of support for those who continue to strive for genuine democracy in Burma, even in the face of imprisonment and torture under the military regime. The actions will also include calls for national governments to refuse to recognize the results of these elections.
Video and photos from the global actions will be uploaded to an online file sharing site. Please contact us for more information about how to access this multimedia content.
Manila, Philippines:
Demonstration at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on 22 October @ 10:00
Contact: Gani or Lyn at 63 911 0205 or 63 435 2900.
Seoul, Korea:
- Demonstration at SPDC Embassy on 24 October @ 11:00
- Press Conference on 26 October @ 12:00
Tokyo, Japan:
- Demonstration at UN Building on 20 October @ 15:00–16:30
- March from Mikawadai Park to Hibiya Park on 27 October @ 14:00–16:00
- Demonstration at SPDC Embassy on 6 November @ 15:00–17:00 and 7 November @ 9:00–16:00
Than Swe (Election Boycott Committee – EBC) +81 90 4964 9718
Phone Hlaing (EBC) +81 90 5318 5054
Mai Kyaw Oo (EBC) +81 90 9831 7192
Arata Kumazawa (Amnesty International-Japan) +81 90 7182 5594
Paris, France: Demonstration on Sunday, 7 November @ 3pm
Contact: Isabelle Dubuis at info_birmanie@yahoo.fr or +33 01 46 33 41 62
Stockholm, Sweden: Demonstration on Sunday, 7 November @ 2 pm
Contact: Karin Valtersson, info@burmakommitten.org or +46 70 615 61 62
United States: Demonstrations will be held in several cities as well as on more than a dozen university campuses over the coming three weeks.
Contact: Nyi Nyi Aung at freeburma18@gmail.com or +1 703 731 1167
(For University events) Myra Dahgaypaw at myradah@uscampaignforburma.org
Events will also be held in Hong Kong, India and Malaysia.
Online: Individuals can also take action online by sending photo and written messages to the people of Burma, or by writing to their national government or local representative.
Learn more about these online actions and the solidarity events here.
For more information, contact:
For interviews – Khin Ohmar, Coordinator – khinohmar@burmapartnership.org or +66 (0)818840772
For logistical information – Jessica Stevens, Media and Communications Officer – jessica@burmapartnership.org or +66 (0)884307032
