24 September 2008

Jakarta

(To be updated)

Kuala Lumpur, Friday: – Leaders from Asia, Europe and Africa have sent messages of support to the Workshop Asean Parliamentarians on the Myanmar Issue that begins tonight in the Malaysian capital. Former Philippines President Corazon Aquino, former Czech President Vaclav Havel and South African Archbishop Reverend Desmond Tutu have faxed messages of support to the workshop organizers, the Pro Democracy Myanmar Caucus-Malaysian Parliament.

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, MP for Kota Baru and Chair of the Caucus said “The messages provide an auspicious start to the event because they recognize the value of our workshop. It is extremely rare for an event in Kuala Lumpur to attract such prestigious support from three continents. They are all leaders who have triumphed against all odds in non-violent struggles for justice.”

In her solidarity message to workshop participants, Madam Aquino said: “The continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi by the State Peace and Development Council and its denial of the public’s right to political dissent are only the most prominent features of its continuing assault on the human rights and freedoms of the Burmese people.”

Madam Aquino said the recent purge of the regime’s leadership has “…raised the specter of a tightening of controls by hard-line military factions. There are renewed fears for the safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the over 1,000 political prisoners there.”

President Havel considered the ‘Nelson Mandela of Europe’ for his leadership of the non-violent movement to free Czechoslovakia from military dictatorship, urged workshop participants to “…play the role of truth-speakers, willing to take a courageous stand on the side of our colleagues in Burma. The people of Burma, with the inspiring leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, have been engaged in non-violent struggle for freedom, and they will also surely support peaceful cooperation and friendship with their Asian neighbors.”

Citing the experience of the struggle for freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe, the renowned writer and former political prisoner emphasized: “The history has proven that the alleged dreamers who listened to the voices of the oppressed were more pragmatic and far-sighted than the politicians who supported the status quo.”

Describing the workshop as “a breakthrough initiative”, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu stated: “I am personally heartened by this significant event and hope it will to greater, concerted effort amongst Asean Parliamentarians to support their Burmese colleagues in their aspirations for peace and democracy in Burma.

“I have often said that I believe truth and justice will prevail, and that the people of Burma will be free. I am convinced that the principled support of Asean’s key players will hasten that day for our brothers and sisters in Burma.”

The workshop will bring together more than 40 Parliamentarians from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The opening dinner will be held tonight at the Banquet Hall of the Carlton Conference Centre (JW Marriott Hotel), Kuala Lumpur. It will conclude with a press conference at 12 noon on Sunday, November 28 at the same venue.

For more information, please call:

Dr Chandran Jeshrun,

Tel: + 6012 268 4758 / 012 268 4758

YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim,

Tel: + 6019 389 4050 / 019 389 4050

Jakarta, Thu – Parliamentarians from almost all of Indonesia’s political parties have formed the Indonesian Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar this week. The Caucus was launched at a dinner held at Jakarta’s Hilton Hotel on February 1st. The event was attended by legislators from other ASEAN countries and featured a solidarity message from Burmese MPs.

So far the caucus membership comprises individual MPs from most of the parties represented in the Indonesian Parliament, the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat. The parties are Golkar, PAN (Partai Amanat Nasional), PBR (Partai

Bintang Reformasi), PD (Partai Demokrat), PDI-P (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan), PDS (Partai Damai Sejahtera), PKB (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa) and PKS (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera).

During the dinner to launch the caucus, Indonesian parliamentarian Mr H. Ade Nasution called on parliamentarians from ASEAN countries to initiate petitions demanding the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for more than 9 of the past 15 years. Mr Nasution, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, said that the prolonged detention of the Nobel Peace Laureate was unacceptable to most parliamentarians.

Ms Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, who hosted the event, hoped that more Indonesian MPs would join the caucus. “This is no longer an internal issue, since Myanmar’s instability has impacts on the entire region. The situation

has dragged on for too long, and it is time we acted in solidarity with the people and elected representatives of Myanmar,” she emphasised.

Malaysian parliamentarian Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), congratulated his Indonesian colleagues for the timely development: “The situation of Myanmar is increasing in urgency. Besides the arbitrary detentions of Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues, there has been serious instability even within the regime leadership itself. With the parliament of ASEAN’s largest state on our side, I am sure our work to support the democratisation of Myanmar will be much more effective,” he said.

Datuk Zaid is also chair of the Pro-Democracy Myanmar Caucus (Malaysian Parliament). The AIPMC was formed on November 28 last year, at a workshop hosted by the Malaysian caucus.The Indonesian caucus, which is chaired by Mr. Djoko Susilo (PAN), is the 3rd such caucus in ASEAN. The Malaysian caucus was formed in May 2004 and the Thai caucus was formed the following August.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

For the Indonesian Caucus: Ms Nursyahbani Katjasungkana. Tel + 6221 575

5664 / 5 or + 6281 115 1544

For ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus: Datuk Zaid Ibrahim + 603 2087

9838 or + 6012 218 6699

“This is the ASEAN MPs homage to the Light of Burma who is the conscience of ASEAN.” ~ AIPMC Website

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus for Democracy in Myanmar (AIPMC) has launched a web portal for tributes and solidarity messages from serving and former legislators across the globe, to mark the 60th birthday of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Laureate.

The AIPMC is also using the website to facilitate electronic messages to Burma’s Sr-Gen Than Shwe, through the Myanmar Embassies in all ASEAN countries, calling for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate and unconditional release. The e-petition is open to both legislators and members of the public.

Caucus Secretary Ms. Teresa Kok, a Malaysian MP called on both former and current colleagues around the world to visit the group’s website at www.aseanmp.org to lodge solidarity messages for Aung San Suu Kyi.

“We will be collecting messages until June 30. They will be forwarded to Aung San Suu Kyi as soon as circumstances allow,” she explained.

Kobsak Chutikul, former Thai MP and senior diplomat acknowledges the indispensable role of Suu Kyi within the region. He writes, “Aung San Suu Kyi’s significance and value to regional security cannot be underestimated…Her capacity as a conciliator and unifier presents the greatest hope for stability in Burma. … This is why we wish Aung San Suu Kyi her liberty for her 60th birthday, not just for the sake of Burma, but for the sake of stability in ASEAN too.”

H.E. Mrs. Helle Degn, former Danish Minister and MP, writes, “Aung San Suu Kyi is a beacon of hope to her people and an example of civic courage and moral leadership to all of us. In 1989, citizens of the world rallied to free Nelson Mandela on his 70th birthday. In 2005 the world is rallying to demand Aung San Suu Kyi’s freedom.”

The AIPMC, which includes national caucuses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, was formed last November to campaign for the release of Suu Kyi and the commencement of dialogue towards the resumption of democracy in Myanmar.

The Caucus has also released a set of briefing notes about Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar-related issues on the website.

The AIPMC website is located at www.aseanmp.org

Enquiries: MS Teresa Kok, tel: +6019 389 4050

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) unanimously endorsed the report “Threat to the Peace: A Call for the UN Security Council to Act in Burma” commissioned by former President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel and South African Nobel Peace Price Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, during the Steering Committee meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand today. AIPMC Secretary and Member of Malaysian Parliament, Ms. Teresa Kok said the Caucus wanted Myanmar to be included in the coming UN Security Council agenda.

“We urge ASEAN governments to support this move and to lead a multilateral effort to help bring about concrete progress there,” she said.

The Caucus believes it is time to turn up the heat on the regime. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners are not released, and concrete steps towards democratization and national reconciliation are not achieved within the next 12 months, the AIPMC would commence efforts to suspend Myanmar’s ASEAN membership.

“We will campaign in each of our respective governments to have Myanmar suspended from ASEAN,” added Ms. Kok.

Senator Kraisak Choonhavan from the Thai Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar said that stopping Myanmar from taking the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 was just the first step. It was time to step up the action, he said.

Philippines Congressman Mario Joyo Aguja added that despite the many hurdles ahead for the Caucus, its members were undeterred.

“We do not have the illusion that things will change immediately inside Myanmar. But we must intensify the pressure and do what is right,” he said.

Thai Senator and 2005 Magsaysay award recipient Jon Ungphakorn said that the Caucus would also initiate discussions on promoting change in Myanmar with parliamentarians from India and Chinese officials.

The AIPMC Steering Committee meeting was attended by representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and a parliamentarian-elect from Myanmar.

Irrawaddy – Saw Yan Naing

A rights advocacy group within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has appealed to the heads of both Asean and the UN to visit Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and check on her health.

Roshan Jason, executive director of the group, the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that letters had gone to Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asking them to make a personal assessment of Suu Kyi’s condition—“Not just her physical health but also her emotional [state of mind].”

The letter told Surin and Ban: “We remind you that her continued well-being is vital for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Burma.”

Suu Kyi’s political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), says she has been refusing supplies of food to her home since mid-August, but there is no indication that she is on a hunger strike. Her lawyer said after visiting her this week that she has lost weight and is tired but otherwise appears to be in good health.

Suu Kyi has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest.

The AIPMC letter reminded Surin that he had described Asean as a “tapestry of hope,” and said that Burma was a part of this tapestry. The AIPMC urged Surin to act to ensure the tapestry did not unravel.

Jason said Asean had acknowledged receipt of the letter, but nothing had been heard yet from the UN. The two bodies appeared to think Suu Kyi was not “relevant in the democracy process,” he said.