The Women’s League of Burma is urging the UN Security Council to put pressure on Burma’s regime for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, women political activists, ethnic leaders, and all other political prisoners and be willing to take concrete action against Burma’s regime if they fail to cooperate with UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari and the UN Security Council. According to information received by the Women’s League of Burma, at least 82 women protestors have been arrested during the recent crackdown on peaceful protesters, while many women activists are currently in hiding. Wives, mothers and daughters of activists have also been detained.
As the UN Security Council meets in New York on October 23, 2007 to debate the relationship between gender, peace and security, the Women’s League of Burma is hosting a roundtable discussion in New York to call for the immediate protection of women political activists from Burma – many of whom are currently in prison or on the run.
“We are appalled by the abuses of basic human rights experienced by women activists in Burma. This situation has gone on for far too long – more than five decades already, and action is urgently needed,” says Lway Aye Nang, member of the Presidium Board of the Women’s League of Burma.
“We will be monitoring the activities of the UN Security Council, we urge all UN member states joining today’s debate, in particular members of the UN Security Council and of the group of Friends of Resolution 1325, to bring up the situation in Burma and take collective action at the Security Council if Burma’s regime fails to cooperate with UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari,” says Lway Aye Nang.
UN Security Council resolution 1325, on women, peace and security, commits the international community to end impunity for gross violations of human rights, including sexual and other violence against women and girls, and to recognize the role of women in peace-building.
The Burmese regime must live up to its obligations under resolution 1325 by bringing an end to the severe and systematic abuses against women and girls, including rape and sexual violence, and the international community must to live up to its commitments in support of the women and girls of Burma. The women of Burma deserve nothing less.
For further information, please contact:
NAME: Lway Aye Nang (347) 741-7554
Dwelling (347) 741-7554
Nang Yain (66) 89-858-4668