Email your representative to free Burma's political prisoners

Dear Mike,

Please call your representative to co-sponsor H. RES. 1768, calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma.

Good news! Last week, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), along with sixteen other Representatives introduced a resolution calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma.  He said, "I was pleased by the release of Aung San Suu Kyi last month from Burma's military regime and strongly urge her release to be permanent and unconditional.  This is a step towards democratic progress, but there is still much more that needs to be done."

While welcoming Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release, the resolution also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Burma.  Congressman Hastings stated, "We must not rejoice.  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has called on all world leaders to stay focused on the plight of each one of the millions of Burmese struggling against the military rule, on the over two thousand two hundred political prisoners suffering unjustly in Burmese prisons, and the thousands of women and children being systematically raped and taken as sex slaves and porters for the military whose rule they suffer under."

We would like to urge you to email your Representative to please raise their voice and co-sponsor H. RES. 1768, calling for the release of all prisoners of conscience, to stand firmly in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and the millions people of Burma who are still suffering at the hands of Burma's military regime.

In Gratitude and Solidarity,

Myra
Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

My jump for freedom

Dear friend

I am 21 years old and a refugee from Burma. I work as a Campaigns Officer for the Burma Campaign UK.

On Saturday 16th October 2010 at the O2 Arena in London I am doing a 160 feet bungee jump. I am scared of heights and I am fearful about the jump.

But my fear is nothing compared to what my father, Mya Aye, the more than 2,100 political prisoners in Burma and of course, Aung San Suu Kyi have gone through.

I want to raise money for the Burma Campaign UK so that we can campaign to free all political prisoners in the country. Please support me in my jump by sponsoring me now at: www.bmycharity.com/V2/jumpforfreedom <http://www.bmycharity.com/V2/jumpforfreedom>

My father is in jail for trying to get freedom and democracy for his people. He was arrested over three years ago, at the start of the democracy uprising, which became known as the “Saffron Revolution”. He is serving a 65 year prison sentence because he wants what you and I want - democracy and freedom in Burma.

When I think of my father in jail I cry. I feel like I will never see him again. Like any daughter, I love my father – but I am also very proud of what he has done to stand up for the people of Burma.

That is why I am telling you my story and need to ask you to please to sponsor my jump for the Burma Campaign UK now - www.bmycharity.com/V2/jumpforfreedom <http://www.bmycharity.com/V2/jumpforfreedom>

My father was one of the leaders of the democracy uprising in 1988 and he was in prison then for 8 years. He was in jail when I was born in 1989 and the first time I saw him was through iron bars in Insein prison. I was a little girl, just four years old.

I grew up without my father, and now I face the possibility of never seeing him again. I am determined not to let this happen. I know that together, we can work to free the prisoners if we can put enough pressure on the generals, but I need your help. Please support our campaign - please sponsor me now by clicking: www.bmycharity.com/V2/jumpforfreedom <http://www.bmycharity.com/V2/jumpforfreedom>

Thank you.
Wai Hnin

La lista negra de Shanghai

Feng Zhenghu no está en la lista. La de invitados a Shanghai 2010, esto es. Desde la ventana de su apartamento en uno de los suburbios de la ciudad se puede ver a los agentes de la Oficina de Seguridad que vigilan todos sus movimientos. 24 horas al día. Siete días a la semana. A los ojos de la dictadura china, el activista es un peligro para la seguridad de la Exposición Universal después de haber propuesto una exhibición alternativa: la Exposición de Injusticias del Gobierno chino.

"Entraron en mi apartamento y se llevaron mis ordenadores� dice Feng. �e vigilan todo el tiempo".

La lista de personas que han visto coartada su libertad por intentar empañar la puesta de largo de Shanghai es larga. El Gobierno ha encarcelado a familias que han protestado el derribo de sus viviendas para hacer sitio a las nuevas infraestructuras, ha puesto bajo arresto domiciliario a decenas de disidentes locales y ha expulsado de la ciudad a mendigos y campesinos inmigrantes, muchos de ellos utilizados meses atrás para construir las nuevas carreteras y puentes de la ciudad.

Mientras las televisiones mostraban este viernes el espectacular show de fuegos artificiales que inauguró la Exposición Universal, cientos de policías forzaban a los habitantes de barrios cercanos al recinto a permanecer en sus casas.

Los mercados de la zona llevan días cerrados para hacer sitio a las limousines de las autoridades -los comerciantes dicen estar amenazados con la ruina- y los accesos a varias calles permanecen cerrados incluso para los residentes.

"Llevamos meses igual. Dicen que es la Expo del pueblo, pero nosotros somos el pueblo y no podemos verla", protesta Hu, un vecino indignado por las redadas policiales de la pasada anoche.

China ve en Shanghai 2010 otra oportunidad para mostrar al mundo sus logros en las últimas tres décadas de apertura económica y confirmar su status como nueva gran potencia internacional. Los líderes chinos no están dispuestos a que nada estropee un evento que, al igual que los Juegos Olímpicos de 2008, tiene el objetivo adicional de exaltar las cualidades del Partido Comunista y legitimar su monopolio en el poder.

Las organizaciones de Derechos Humanos han denunciado la contradicción de elegir una dictadura para exhibir lo mejor que el mundo tiene que ofrecer. Pekín es el país que más reos ejecuta en el mundo y aumenta regularmente la represión sobre sus disidentes en las fechas previas y durante la organización de grandes eventos. Sucedió en los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín hace dos años y se ha repetido en Shanghai 2010.

Una operación llevada a cabo por más de 30.000 agentes el mes pasado terminó con el arresto de 6.000 personas, muchas de ellas detenidas con la única intención de retenerlas hasta que la Expo hubiera sido inaugurada.

El férreo control sobre la percepción que el público chino debe tener sobre la Expo ha llevado al Departamento de Propaganda a enviar circulares a todos los medios con estrictas normas sobre lo que pueden y no pueden contar. Zhu Di, editora del sureño diario Nanfang Dushi Bao, fue sancionada el pasado 17 de abril por escribir un artículo bajo el título "Amar a tu país no quiere decir amar a tu Gobierno". La pieza no contenía críticas al Gobierno: Zhu sólo perderá su empleo.

La prensa local pues sólo ha tenido la opción de alabar la organización de la Expo y ocultar los fallos �argas colas, falta de servicios y protestas de los visitantes- surgidos en los ensayos previos a la apertura del recinto. Ninguna pregunta sobre los costes (más de 32.000 millones de euros) o la posibilidad de haber empleado el dinero en desarrollar zonas más necesitadas del oeste de China.

La censura ha afectado incluso a Hong Kong, que supuestamente disfruta de autonomía. Los periodistas del 'Apple Daily', uno de los mayores diarios de la ex colonia británica, han sido vetados y sus visados denegados ante la posibilidad de que fueran críticos con la Exposición Universal o el gobierno chino. "Ciudad Bajo Vigilancia. Vidas Vigiladas sería un eslogan más apropiado para el evento", aseguran desde Reporteros sin Fronteras, negando el lema oficial Mejor Ciudad, Mejor Vida.

U.S. CAMPAIGN FOR BURMA

Dear Mike, We at USCB are ecstatic about the Oscars this year. Burma VJ has been nominated for best documentary film, and James Cameron, a longtime supporter of Burma's freedom struggle, is up for 3 academy awards for his acclaimed film Avatar. This year, during your Oscar-watching get-together, turn this momentum around freedom and human rights in Burma into action. Ask your friends to sign a petition urging your member of Congress to co-sponsor House Resolution 898, which calls for the release of all political prisoners of conscience and an end to the systematic and widespread violations of human rights against the ethnic minorities inside Burma. Click here for more information. Downright gripping and utterly inspiring, Burma VJ hails worldwide recognition for the selfless journalists who courted arrest, torture, and lengthy imprisonments in order to shine a spotlight on Burma's freedom struggle. If you have not had the chance to see Burma VJ, check out the trailer here. We would also like to congratulate , who is a strong advocate for human rights in Burma, for his outstanding work and his Oscar nominations. Check out this video spot featuring James Cameron on the topic of Burma. Films alone will not bring about political change in Burma. Your action can make a difference. Be the voice that contributes to the growing momentum around human rights and democracy in Burma. During the Oscars 2010, take a moment to circulate this petition to your member of Congress asking them to support House Resolution 898. When you are done, please mail the petition to Attention: Michael Haack, U.S. Campaign for Burma, 1444 N Street, NW, Suite A2, Washington, DC 20005. Don't know who your member of Congress is? Find out here www.house.gov. Looking forward to the Oscars! Mike Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma: Become a member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma. Or, make a tax-deductible donation today.

today and ask them to support House Resolution 898

Dear Mike,

Email Congress

today and ask them to support House Resolution 898!

This week, President Obama made his first visit to Asia and publicly called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, one principle of his new Burma policy. The Obama administration's Burma policy has four pillars which the U.S. will work toward:

• Ensuring the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Pressing for an end to conflicts with ethnic minority groups.
• Securing genuine tripartite dialogue between the ethnic nationalities, the democracy movement, and the military government.
• Holding the Burmese junta accountable for human rights violations.

We support the principles outlined in President Obama's new Burma policy. However, the Obama administration has yet to provide a mechanism to hold the junta accountable for their human rights violations including attacks against ethnic minority groups.

Resolution 898 fills this gap by calling for the Administration to support a UN Security Council Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the junta.

Crimes against humanity have escalated as the Junta tries to consolidate power before the sham election planned for 2010. In the past few months, the regime has displaced more than 50,000 people from eastern and northern Burma, sending tens of thousands of refugees over the border into China and Thailand.

Email your member of Congress

today to ask them to support this resolution so that the Obama Administration continues to remain strong on Burma.

Then amplify our voice by asking your friends and family members to support Resolution 898, which was introduced by Representative Joe Crowley (D) and Representative Peter King (R) last week.

Sincerely,

Michael Haack Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

Become a member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma.

Or, make a tax-deductible donation today.