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01/02/2005
Prime Minister backs Burma holiday boycott
Tony Blair has lent his support to a campaign, which urges Britons not to travel to Burma because of human rights violations committed by the country's government.
The campaign, launched by the Burma Campaign UK group, is urging people not to visit the country – also known as Myanmar – because of the oppressive military regime, which governs there.
Mr Blair said that the regime in Burma had committed "appalling human rights violations", including torture, extra-judicial killings and rape by soldiers, forced labour, including the use of child soldiers and the forced relocation of villagers. He said: "I would urge anyone who may be thinking of visiting Burma on holiday to consider carefully whether by their actions they are helping to support the regime and prolong such dreadful abuses."
The 'I'm Not Going', campaign has attracted support from over 70 celebrities and politicians, including Conservative leader, Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, as well as Anna Friel, Sir Ian McKellen, Susan Sarandon and Graham Norton.
Yvette Mahon, Director of the Burma Campaign UK, said: "In Burma, tourism doesn't help most ordinary people, instead it finances the regime that keeps them poor and oppressed. Every tourist that visits Burma puts money into the hands of the regime."
Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner and the leader of the National League of Democracy (NLD), has repeatedly requested tourists not to go to Burma.
She has said that slave and child labour has been used to build tourist infrastructure, such as hotels and roads and has claimed that although the regime earns around $100 million from tourism each year, it only spends around 19p per person on healthcare. She also said that the regime spends around half of its budget on the military instead, while more than half the country's population lives in extreme poverty.
The NLD won 82% of the seats in the Burma's 1990 elections, but the regime refused to hand over power. NLD members were imprisoned and tortured. Aung San Suu Kyi is currently under house arrest, following a crackdown by the regime in May 2003, which saw the massacre of up to a 100 NLD supporters. Amnesty International and the United Nations have both reported on the deteriorating human rights situation in the country in the past year.
The Burma Campaign UK is urging people to sign a pledge not to visit Burma on holiday on a new website: www.imnotgoing.com
(KMcA/SP)
The campaign, launched by the Burma Campaign UK group, is urging people not to visit the country – also known as Myanmar – because of the oppressive military regime, which governs there.
Mr Blair said that the regime in Burma had committed "appalling human rights violations", including torture, extra-judicial killings and rape by soldiers, forced labour, including the use of child soldiers and the forced relocation of villagers. He said: "I would urge anyone who may be thinking of visiting Burma on holiday to consider carefully whether by their actions they are helping to support the regime and prolong such dreadful abuses."
The 'I'm Not Going', campaign has attracted support from over 70 celebrities and politicians, including Conservative leader, Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, as well as Anna Friel, Sir Ian McKellen, Susan Sarandon and Graham Norton.
Yvette Mahon, Director of the Burma Campaign UK, said: "In Burma, tourism doesn't help most ordinary people, instead it finances the regime that keeps them poor and oppressed. Every tourist that visits Burma puts money into the hands of the regime."
Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner and the leader of the National League of Democracy (NLD), has repeatedly requested tourists not to go to Burma.
She has said that slave and child labour has been used to build tourist infrastructure, such as hotels and roads and has claimed that although the regime earns around $100 million from tourism each year, it only spends around 19p per person on healthcare. She also said that the regime spends around half of its budget on the military instead, while more than half the country's population lives in extreme poverty.
The NLD won 82% of the seats in the Burma's 1990 elections, but the regime refused to hand over power. NLD members were imprisoned and tortured. Aung San Suu Kyi is currently under house arrest, following a crackdown by the regime in May 2003, which saw the massacre of up to a 100 NLD supporters. Amnesty International and the United Nations have both reported on the deteriorating human rights situation in the country in the past year.
The Burma Campaign UK is urging people to sign a pledge not to visit Burma on holiday on a new website: www.imnotgoing.com
(KMcA/SP)
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29 July 2003
Red Cross meets Burmese civil rights activist
Red Cross officials have been allowed access to Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, almost two months to the day since she was detained by the Burmese military regime. Ms Suu Kyi, who is being held under a law providing her detention without charge or access to lawyers for up to five years, was said to be in good health.
Red Cross meets Burmese civil rights activist
Red Cross officials have been allowed access to Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, almost two months to the day since she was detained by the Burmese military regime. Ms Suu Kyi, who is being held under a law providing her detention without charge or access to lawyers for up to five years, was said to be in good health.
03 July 2003
BAT asked to withdraw investment from Burma
The Foreign Office has upped the diplomatic pressure on Burma today by asking British American Tobacco (BAT) to withdraw their investment from the country. The move comes a week after the Prime Minister declared that trade or investment in Burma was appropriate "when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people".
BAT asked to withdraw investment from Burma
The Foreign Office has upped the diplomatic pressure on Burma today by asking British American Tobacco (BAT) to withdraw their investment from the country. The move comes a week after the Prime Minister declared that trade or investment in Burma was appropriate "when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people".
04 March 2013
Burma Investment Welcomed
The UK has committed £600,000 to support responsible investment in Burma. Minister for South East Asia, Hugo Swire spoke to Human Rights and Burma campaigners at the FCO about the progress being made in Burma. He said: "Burma remains a central foreign policy priority for this Government, and for me personally.
Burma Investment Welcomed
The UK has committed £600,000 to support responsible investment in Burma. Minister for South East Asia, Hugo Swire spoke to Human Rights and Burma campaigners at the FCO about the progress being made in Burma. He said: "Burma remains a central foreign policy priority for this Government, and for me personally.
06 November 2003
Pressure mounts on Burmese junta after BAT withdrawal
British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced that it is to withdraw from Burma, following a request by Foreign Office officials.
Pressure mounts on Burmese junta after BAT withdrawal
British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced that it is to withdraw from Burma, following a request by Foreign Office officials.
06 October 2011
Hague 'Isn't Vague' On Backing Syrian People
Britain will continue to stand side by side with the Syrian people and redouble efforts to work with international partners to increase pressure on the regime. Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was disappointed by Russia and China's decision to veto this week's UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR).
Hague 'Isn't Vague' On Backing Syrian People
Britain will continue to stand side by side with the Syrian people and redouble efforts to work with international partners to increase pressure on the regime. Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was disappointed by Russia and China's decision to veto this week's UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR).
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
