Press for a Straw vote on Burma

Burma Campaign

URGENT ACTION, PLEASE WRITE TO JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY

Dear friend

If you only do one thing this year to support the struggle for democracy in Burma, please make this the action you take.

Fifteen years after Burma1s military refused to accept the results of democratic elections, we finally have a chance of making real progress in bringing democracy to Burma. However, we urgently need your help in order to seize this opportunity.

On September 20th Vaclav Havel and Desmond Tutu published a report commissioned from global law firm DLA Piper. The report found that Burma fits the criteria for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) intervention. It calls on UNSC members to pass a resolution requiring the regime to work with the United Nations in restoring democracy to Burma, and to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all prisoners of conscience.

You can view the report at: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/reports.php.

Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, has backed the
report, and called on governments to act. The government of the United States of America has responded by saying it will work with other countries to bring Burma to the UNSC in October. However, the British government has been silent on the issue, and we fear that unless it acts, a unique opportunity to begin the process of change in Burma could be lost.

The British government must publicly support this initiative, and use its diplomatic resources to work with UNSC members to build support. Time is running out. Iran is likely to dominate the UNSC from November, and next year UNSC members may not be so sympathetic.

Please write to Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, urging him to throw Britain1s diplomatic weight behind this initiative and to make a public statement in support of UNSC action. For too long Burma has been at the bottom of the international agenda. We have the opportunity to change this. We can1t let it slip through our fingers.

Letters in your own words are most effective. It takes a little longer, but has a much bigger impact. Letters don't need to be long, one paragraph is enough.

Key points to make in your letter:

Burma's regime has ignored all requests from the United Nations and governments to restore democracy to Burma. UNSC decisions are binding on member countries, and the UNSC has the power to enforce its decisions. The regime could no longer ignore the international community.

The British government must use all its diplomatic resources to persuade UNSC members to back a resolution in support of restoring democracy to Burma.

Send your letter to:

Right Hon Jack Straw MP
Foreign Secretary
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles St
London, SW1A 2AH

Thank you for your support.

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