Myanmar: blackouts, witchhunts and moustaches

From Avaaz.

The Blackouts
The Myanmar military has seen the power of global solidarity for the demonstrators--and has moved to shut down all communications with the outside world. As the images and stories have slowed, global media coverage of the Myanmar crisis has lost its urgency.

But people power can beat the blackout. Donate to send crucial technical support and equipment to Myanmarese civil society groups, and help return Myanmar's voice to its people. 100% of funds donated will go to Myanmar groups--Avaaz will keep no portion.

How you can help:

• Check out this great message Avaaz delivered to the Chinese government on behalf of the Myanmarese people via an Ad in the Financial times.
• Stand with the Myanmarese protesters by signing this petition.
• Help beat the blackout.
  
  

The Witchhunts
From Amnesty International.

Photo: Racoles

Yesterday, Amnesty International released proof of the brutal injustices going down in Myanmar. First hand accounts of ongoing night raids, arrests and appalling detention conditions in Myanmar have been captured on new video and audio commentary.

"The current arbitrary arrests, secret detention and widespread reports of ill-treatment and torture make a mockery of promises made by the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with the United Nations, when the Security Council last week called for early release of all political prisoners. The international community must act with greater urgency to increase the pressure on Myanmar's authorities to immediately halt arrests of peaceful protesters, open up detention centres to independent observers and release all prisoners of conscience," said Catherine Baber, Head of Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Programme.

How you can help:

• Bring Myanmarese asylum seekers to Australia
• Email the Myanmar Ambassador in Australia to release Myanmar protesters

The Moustaches

Link: sevenload.com


According to an article in today's The Age, even comedians can't escape the tyranny of the junta regime in Myanmar at the moment. The Body Shop has been über successful in campaigning for justice in the past and with your help, we will again!

As one of Myanmar's most beloved comedy acts, the "Moustache Brothers" have made a living by risking prison every night with their biting parodies of the ruling junta.
But their luck ran out recently when the military clamped down on anti-government protests that posed the biggest challenge to the regime in nearly two decades.

Security forces swept into the ramshackle home where they perform in Mandalay and arrested Par Par Lay - the most outspoken of the trio, also known as Moustache Brother Number One.

"They said nothing," his younger brother and fellow performer Lu Maw said of the raid on their home.

During his last detention, he was sent to a labour camp where he was forced to work with iron bars across his legs, the group said. Imprisoning Par Par Law and Lu Zaw turned out to be a public relations disaster for the junta. The Moustache Brothers became a cause celebre for famous Western comedians and actors, even earning fleeting reference in a one-liner in the hit Hugh Grant movie, About a Boy.

According to my sources, The Body Shop International also joined in. We ran a campaign in '98 called Make Your Mark with Amnesty International to highlight the plight of human rights defenders around the world. It was to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Body Shop encouraged customers to ‘Make their Mark’ for human rights. The launch was supported by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This successful campaign saw three million people sign up in 34 countries in support of 12 human rights campaigners who defend fundamental human rights. The Body Shop stores generated so many letters that 17 out of the 30 prisoners of conscience were allocated were released one of the prisoners was Par Par Lay.

By taking part in one of the above campaigns you can help break a Moustache Brother out of unfair imprisonment...again!


Adam Valvasori - Values Manager - The Body Shop