Act now for Burma in the lead up to the elections!
In Burma, the first elections for 20 years are likely to be held towards the end of 2010. The repression of political opposition is on-going. Fundamental rights of association, assembly, and expression are not a reality in Burma. People who show any opposition face harassment, arbitrary arrest, torture, imprisonment and extrajudicial executions. When such oppression is occurring often ethnic minorities face human rights violations that go unnoticed. This is the situation for Burma’s 135 minority groups.
Together we can work for the day when not only the 2,200 political prisoners – but the whole of Burma is truly free.
What are the 3 freedoms?
1. Freedom of Association
2. Freedom of Assembly
3. Freedom of Expression
Restrictions on political activists prevent them from participating in elections. This means that their freedom to associate, assemble and express themselves is not freely granted to them. Likewise, the restrictions on media prevent freedom of expression and large numbers of political prisoners remain imprisoned taking away all 3 freedoms; their freedom of association, assembly and expression.
How do these 3 freedoms relate to human rights?
These freedoms are found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in articles 19 & 20:
Article 19.
• Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
• (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
• (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
For more information on the UDHR, please visit here.
See YouTube clips of the UDHR articles on produced by APYN youth activists!
How do these 3 freedoms relate to what is happening in Burma?
Burma is about to hold its first national election in over 20 years – and we want to use this critical moment to help bring about real and lasting change.
In the last election (1990) the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 80% of the parliamentary seats, but their party leaders were swiftly arrested and imprisoned. Since then the junta has continued to inflict the most horrific human rights abuses on it’s own people.
Repression, intimidation and a raft of new election laws effectively prevent anyone who opposes them from standing in this year’s election. People who oppose these restrictions face human rights abuse. The people of Burma do not have freedom of expression, assembly and association.
What can I do to change these human rights restrictions, you ask?
We believe we have a unique chance to stand up for the rights of the people of Burma and free Burma’s political prisoners.
Act now – sign the online petition!
I predict this would come out better in comparison with any are predicting. We don’t want to jinx it when you’re overly optimistic and the media want to lower our expectations as a way to suppress the vote.