Burma has experienced a brutal military dictatorship for more than 40 years. The country was subject to the world’s attention as the military junta brutally suppressed the peaceful demonstrations that took place in September 2007. The protests followed an unexpected rise in the price of fuel, hitting people hard in the poverty-stricken nation. Pro-democracy activists began the movement, which escalated into a huge demonstration against the ruling junta, led by Buddhist monks.

Many of the pro-democracy leaders and monks have now received lengthy prison sentences, many over 50 years, under harsh conditions. It is estimated that the Burmese junta holds as many as 2.100 political prisoners, including the legitimate winner of the 1990-election and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 14 of the last years in prison or house arrest. The Burmese Junta is determined to pursue its own “roadmap to democracy”, and a referendum on a constitution was pushed through even as the cyclone Nargis brutally hit the country during the spring of 2008 – leaving approximately 140 000 people dead and vast areas devastated.

Objectives

• The long term goal of this project is to contribute to the development of democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. Specific objectives of the Oslo Centre’s involvement are twofold:
• To raise awareness about the situation in Burma by trying to keep Burma on the agenda in Norway and internationally.
• To promote a coherent international approach towards Burma.

Activities

• The OC directed a workshop on Burma at the international conference “Peace and Reconciliation in South East Asia” organised by the International Association for Human Values.
• A letter to the UN Secretary-General encouraging the UN to take new initiatives on Burma for a coherent international policy was sent in the wake of cyclone Nargis.
• Maintained close communication with the Burmese government in exile and organisations working with Burma in Norway and at the international level.
• Through an international campaign, we gathered 112 signatures from former presidents and prime ministers on a letter to the UN Secretary-General encouraging him to visit Burma and pursue the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The campaign attracted attention in international media.

Relevant links

actionburma.com

UN boss rejects Burma visit plea (BBC World)