WILPF Statement on the situation in Burma

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom sends greetings, solidarity and support to citizens of Burma, who courageously and non-violently stand up for peace and freedom in their country.

A reign of terror has prevailed in Burma since 1962, the population being brutally repressed by a military dictatorship; women have suffered in terrible and specific ways.

The international community has tolerated this military junta far too long. Its silence has protected a culpable economic exploitation by actors who must be made to cease their profiteering and deal-making with the regime, currently headed by General Than Shwe. The current culture of impunity must come to an end, and those who have committed grave violations of international humanitarian law must be justly prosecuted.

WILPF calls on all Member States of the United Nations to:

Refuse the credentials of the Myanmar delegation to the 62^nd UN General Assembly, recalling the precedent of the GA’s refusal to recognise the apartheid regime as representative of South Africa’s population on 13 November 1970 in Resolution 2636

Utilize the current meeting of the Human Rights Council to re-establish the Special Procedure on Myanmar and call for implementation of the recommendations of Special Rappoteur Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro (Brazil)

Consider the reports of the Special Rappoteurs on Myanmar and call on the Burmese Regime to allow them access to the country for the first time since 2003.

Demand that UN humanitarian actors be given access to provide needed assistance to the estimated 500,000 internally displaced persons,

Demand that Aung Sung Sui Kyi be released from house arrest and permitted to exercise her political and human rights and freely enter the UN house

Exert pressure on the Than Shwe military regime that it respect the peaceful demonstrations for democracy currently taking place in Burma

Call on the military regime to engage in immediate talks with the democracy leaders, who maintain a long-held position of non-violence and support for dialogue and negotiation.

The terror and profiteering in Burma must end – the time for decisive action is now.