Human Rights Abuses In Burma

Conference is appalled at the continued widespread oppression and grave human rights violations inflicted on the people of Burma by the military junta and undemocratic Government. We continue to witness the development of a silent humanitarian crisis that leaves the general population and workers of Burma in extremely vulnerable conditions. Those at greatest risk are the ethnic nationality groups, for example the Karen people and also the members and activists of political groups and trade unions that speak out against the human and workers rights abuses perpetrated by this dictatorship. We have widespread drug addiction and the increase of HIV/AIDS, that leaves the more vulnerable members of any society at even greater risk. Members of free trade unions find themselves imprisoned, these individuals also facing an uncertain future as membership to such groups remains punishable by death. There continues to be forced labour, torture, ill treatment, sexual violence and child labour, together with starvation and forced migration. This is totally unacceptable to us all living and working in a free and democratic society and we need to be acting now to prevent the continuation of such violations. We call on the Executive Council to lead a political campaign of FBU activists and members, together with TUC affiliates to lobby the British Government to apply by whatever means possible the political pressure to prevent the continued oppression of the Burmese people. In particular, we call for ● All human rights abuses inflicted on the people of Burma by the military junta to end ● That the people inflicting such abuses should be held fully accountable for their actions ● Forced labour and migration should cease ● The immediate release of all political prisoners, including members of Trade unions ● The commencement of a political transition that will lead to a democratically elected government In addition we ask that contacts and working relationships are developed between the FBU and Burmese Trade Unions to provide whatever assistance available that will better able them to continue with their very difficult and dangerous work.