BURMA WATCH INTERNATIONAL

A society for human rights

"We are seeking a political revolution simply through political means. By doing politics which is what we are doing, and which is what the government is trying to prevent us from doing. So if a revolution breaks out, it will not be of our doing. It will be because the government has more or less blocked all other paths to political change."

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

• General Secretary of the Burmese National League for Democracy
• 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

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For Coverage of Current News From Burma

Burma Watch International recommends: •BurmaNet News •Democractic Voice of Burma •Mizzima News •The Irrawaddy

2007 November - Burma Watch International Executive Committee Meeting

The newly elected executive of Burma Watch International will meet to plan activities for the coming year and to organize how Burma Watch will carry out those activities.

October 17, 2007 -- Canadian government moves to grant honourary Canadian citizenship to leader of democracy movement in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi

Prime Minister Stephen Harper tabled a motion in the House of Commons today to confer honourary citizenship status on Aung San Suu Kyi, the world-renowned advocate of freedom and democracy in Burma. The Prime Minister called upon all Members of Parliament to back the motion as a demonstration of Canada's support for the people of Burma in their struggle against the brutal military dictatorship that rules their country.

The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the government's motion to confer honorary citizenship on Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, for her ongoing struggle to promote freedom and democracy in Burma:

• Aung San Suu Kyi is an inspiration to all of us. A political prisoner for most of the last 18 years, she has never wavered in her pursuit of freedom and democracy for Burma. Prime Minister Harper has presented a motion in Parliament to confer on her an honorary citizenship to recognize and support her long, courageous battle.
• Canada stands alongside those who share our founding values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada has repeatedly condemned the use of force by the Burmese regime against peaceful protesters. Today's motion by the Prime Minister reinforces our consistent calls to the government of Burma, through the United Nations and other means, to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Burma, and to engage in a genuine dialogue with the democratic opposition.
• Canada strongly supports the visits of Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, to Burma and to the region. We call on the government of Burma to facilitate his work.

September 24, 2007 -- Canada calls upon Burmese regime to engage in dialogue with democratic opposition

In a statement issued by Canada's Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier on September 24, Mr. Bernier said that "Canada calls upon the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition" and "to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the protestors and the people of Burma."

August 22, 2007 -- Canada condemns detention of prominent Burmese pro-democracy activists

In a statement issued by Canada's Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier on August 22, Mr. Bernier said that "Canada condemns the detention of the leaders of the 88 Generation Students Group, including, among others, Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Kyaw Min Yuu, known as Jimmy." and that "Canada calls for their immediate and unconditional release."