Burmese protest ends
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, December 21 2012: Declaring a Nation wide ceasefire with ethnic armed groups and cease attack on ethnic community and protect civilians in Kachin State and other ethnic areas of Myanmar were some of the demands raised by the Burmese Democratic Forces in India on the last day of its 5-days sit-in-protest cum photo-exhibition today.

The Burmese Democratic Forces in India launched the campaign from December 17 where over 50 Burmese activists joined the protests condemning the brutal crackdown of peaceful protesters in Burma on November 29 last.

The protesters also demand the authority concerned to suspend Letpadaung copper mine project until present crisis are resolved and local people can participate in decision making process on the use of their local resources They also demanded enactment of laws for NHRC to operate independently and with a broad-based mandate to investigate violations of fundamental human rights.

BDFI further urged ASEAN member nations to review its approval of President Thein Sein led government to chair ASEAN in 2014 as there has been continued harassments and repression against the rights of people by the Burmese military.

Expressing deep concern that India sticks to its democratic and non-violent principles by ensuring that no arms and ammunitions are supplied or sold to Burmese Army, the protesters said today in a statement that a nationwide protest demonstration against the Letpadaung copper mine project in Burma is a timely reminder for Government of India because India's funded Kaladan Multi Modal Project is implemented without conducting Social and Environmental Impact Assessments.

"What is worst is that local people in the project areas were not informed about this project," the statement said.

It urged the Government of India to ensure that both ongoing and future investments in Burma are fair, transparent and accountable, and that there is full local participation in any Indian-supported developmental projects in Burma.

The 5-days sit-in-protest cum photo-exhibition was just a beginning of the movement for protection and promotion of human rights and democracy in Burma, the statement said while reiterating that it would continue the movement till the demands are met.

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