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Media Release
28th May, 2000
Landmark meeting held
in Melbourne, Victoria to Support Burmese Democracy
Melbourne Burmese
Community organised a landmark public meeting at RMIT
University Kaleide Theater on May 27th, 2000 to mark
the 10th Anniversary of the 1990 Elections in Burma
entitled "Burma at the end of 20th Century: Directions
and Dilemmas". The occasion provided the Victorian
and Burmese Victorian community with an opportunity
to critically reflect on Burma's situation at the end
of the 20th century, and to reexamine Australia's foreign
policy on Burma.
More than 150 people
attended the event from a range of community organisations
and groups. Apologies and best wishes for the meeting
were sent by Senator Bob Brown, Australian Greens Senator
for Tasmania, and Senator Vicky Bourne, Australian Democrats
Parliamentary Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs. Additional
apologies from The Hon. Laurie Brereton, Shadow Minister
for Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Hon. Phillip Ruddock,
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
A video entitled
"Ten Years On .... A Parliament Denied",
a series of interviews with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, CRPP
members and other MP's in Burma, was followed by various
speakers from Amnesty International, the Ethnic Communities
Council of Victoria, International Human Rights Organisation,
and the Refugee Council of Trade, The Hon. Alexander
Downer. Main topics of discussions were Australia's
foreign policy directions in regard to Burma, the status
of political prisoners and restrictions placed on the
democratic opposition, and Australia's declining support
and commitment to Burmese refugees in Thailand and elsewhere.
The public meeting
ended with the open discussions where two motions were
passed by a majority vote as follows;
- To lobby the Australian government
to recognise the Committee Representing the People's
Parliament, convened by the NLD, as the legal representative
governing body in Burma.
- To review Australia's foreign
policy on Burma to more sufficiently reflect the aspirations
of Australian community in regards to Burma.
Follow up meetings
will be held by the Burmese community in Victoria and
the participants from the meeting will continue to lobby
government until such a time as foreign policy on Burma
is reviewed.
Burmese Community (Victoria)
The event was organised by;
All Burma Students Democratic Organisation
(ABSDO)
Australia Burma Society (ABC)
Burma Support Group Melbourne (BSG)
Other Individual Community Members
For more information;
Write to PO Box 1371 Collingwood, VIC 3066, or
Telephone;
Toe Zaw Latt - (03) 9419 4489
Patrica Pond - (03) 9568 6425
Minn Sein - (03) 9562 9310
Myo Aye - (03) 9311 0608
Richard Htayreh - (03) 9383 1342
Mandi Scott - (03) 9925 5648
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