Media Release

From the Burma Campaign Australia

Burma still crying out for democracy - calls on Rudd to cut all Australian
support to the military regime.

August 8th, 2009

Burma Campaign Australia on the 21st anniversary of mass public protests in Burma that were brutally
crushed has condemned the Australian Governments lack of support for Burma’s democracy movement.

Burma Campaign Australia spokesperson Thomas Soe, who was involved in the 1988 uprising, said that
the nationwide protests on August 8th, 1988 where people from all walks of life – students, workers,
mothers, teachers and members of the military – took to the street calling for an end to the dictatorship and
for democracy.

“1988 was the first time the people of Burma had united in calling for an end to the military dictatorship and
for democracy. Those voices were violently silenced by the military regime; however the aspirations of the
people of Burma were not. Twenty-one years later the people of Burma are still struggling for freedom and
democracy,” Mr Soe said.

“Whilst the people inside Burma are suffering under the oppressive military regime, it is vital that the
international community take practical action to support the democratic aspirations of the people and cut all
sources of support to the dictatorship. Australia has not done this.

“The Australian Federal Police train Burma’s police force despite the government acknowledging the police
are part of the military regime in Burma. The AFP cannot guarantee that the skills they are providing the
Myanmar Police Force are not being used against the people.”

On June 18th, 2009 the Australian Senate, including members of the Rudd-Labor Government, passed a
motion calling on Australia to support a global arms embargo against the regime. The Rudd-Labor
Government is yet to respond.

Mr Soe said Australian companies are also propping up the regime with vital financial support.

“Australian companies, such as Twinza Oil, are bankrolling the military dictatorship by investing in Burma,”
he said.

“Australia as the only western democracy in the region needs to take a lead in supporting Burma’s
democratic struggle.”

Burma Campaign Australia calls on the Rudd Labor government to:

1. Withdraw the AFP from Burma;

2. Publicly support a global arms embargo against the military dictatorship; and
3. Introduce targeted trade and investment sanctions.

For media interviews please call Thomas Soe on 0421418449 or Zetty Brake from Burma Campaign
Australia on 0416289235

Burma Campaign Australia

c/- Burma Office, Labour Council Building
Suite 6, Level 8, 377 – 383 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
www.aucampaignforburma.org
admin@aucampaignforburma.org
02 9264 7694