Take Action: Burma
Trafficking | Human Rights
Leaders of Burma groups have developed effective ways for westerners to support Burma and the Burmese struggle. Here are a few of the best ongoing campaigns and projects. These campaigns make a difference in the lives of Burmese inside Burma and in exile.
Trafficking
Support a U.S. Congressional Resolution on Trafficking
Show this film
This film is a valuable resource to help you spread the word about the recent history and current situation in Burma. Gather a small group of friends in your home, school, church or temple. Show the film and encourage a discussion.
Tell your friends how they can help: become a sponsor, write letters to lobby for change, or make a donation to an organization of their choice. Even a few dollars goes a long way.
Organize a benefit film screening
Organize a fundraising benefit by screening of the film SACRIFICE at your school, church, community center, or public library. It is easy to do and a great way to raise money and educate others about human rights issues in Burma.
Here is a step by step guide to organizing a benefit screening:
Benefit Screening Guide
Schedule a speaker
Many activists are eager to speak publicly on these issues. Find a speaker who is well-informed, lively, and leaves the audience feeling empowered. Or organize a panel of speakers discussing different aspects of Burma: human rights violations, environmental destruction, culture, history, religion, medicine, art, travel, etc. Find a space in your school, church, temple, library or community center. Publicize the event.
Organize a radio show
Contact your local radio station. Talk to a producer and suggest a show on Burma issues. Recommend that they feature a local activist or a member of the Burmese community. Lend the producer a copy of the film SACRIFICE to stimulate their interest and give them background on the issues.
Help educate local students
Local middle and high schools need to be educated about current issues in Burma. Contact your local Burma support group and identify an appropriate speaker, perhaps someone with a slide show to present or a film to screen. Encourage discussion after the presentation. Suggest ways the students can get involved, such as fund raising, sponsorships, and letter writing campaigns. These activities help students feel empowered and let them understand how they can influence government policy.
Learn More
Learn more about Burma so you can educate others and take effective action. Following are some of the best resources on Burma.
Links
Links
Earth Rights International | Website
End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT-USA) | Website
Free Burma Coalition | Website
Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women (GAATW) | Website
Global Fund For Women | Website
Karen Human Rights Group | Website
The democracy movement in Burma is urging people to support their efforts in various ways. A Free Burma movement organizes actions intended to weaken the stronghold of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) on the people of Burma. What follows are ways to educate yourself and to help free Burma.
Human Rights
Support the struggle of Burma's minority people
Burma has more than 100 ethnic minority groups, many which have been involved in long term struggles against the oppressive regime. Some ethnic nationalities have signed cease-fire agreements with the regime, but to no avail. They continue to be brutally oppressed by military troops and suffer gross human rights abuses.
Visit the Orchestra Burma web site to learn more about the struggles of the ethnic people in Burma. This site is dedicated to representing both political and non-political organizations working for democracy and human rights from inside Burma.
Help the activists
Learn more about issues surrounding Burma and what activists are doing to help. Visit the Free Burma web site to learn who is doing what around issues that concern you, such as AIDS, abuses by oil companies, drugs, the environment, refugees, women and grassroots activism. Sign up for the various list serves and get the latest information emailed to you. Join in on the discussions.
Free Burma Coalition (FBC)
The Free Burma Coalition (FBC) is a loosely based umbrella organization for local Free Burma groups. The FBC provides information and resources to help local groups be most effective. To find out about a group in your area and the FBC.
Free Burma Coalition
P.O. Box 19405
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-777-6009
Fax: 202-234-5176
www.freeburmacoalition.org
Pressure foreign companies doing business in Burma
In 1997 the US government passed economic sanctions on new investment in Burma. However, those companies involved in business ventures before1997 are untouched by these sanctions.
The largest US company invested in Burma is the UNOCAL Oil Corporation. Along with their French partner Total Oil, UNOCAL has built a natural gas pipeline running from the Andaman Sea through Burma to Thailand. The construction of this pipeline has resulted in massive human rights abuses, including forced labor, forced relocation of villages, widespread rape, and murder by government troops hired by UNOCAL to protect pipeline construction.