[Greens-Media] Witness inspires renewed call for financial withdrawal from Burma

[Pemberton, Rachel (Sen S. Ludlam)]

Media Release: Senator Scott Ludlam
Australian Greens Senator for WA
Friday, 8 August 2008


WITNESS INSPIRES RENEWED CALL FOR FINANCIAL WITHDRAWAL FROM BURMA


Today Friday, 8 August (08 08 08) marks the twentieth anniversary of the
1988 Burmese uprising, when over 3000 people staging pro-democracy
demonstrations were killed or taken as political prisoners.

"I saw a close friend shot right in front of me and then my brothers,
sister and I were taken into custody," said Noelene, a Burmese refugee
now living in Perth, who was a 15 year old student when the uprising
took place. 

"Other students were attacked with machetes; many were killed by the
soldiers of the Burmese Government. Students were holding placards and
calling for democracy and they were shot by the Junta. Six years later
my family had to flee the country as the situation worsened," Noelene
said.

"The brutal shooting of peaceful protestors led by Buddhist Monks in the
'Saffron Revolution' last September, demonstrates that the situation has
not improved in 20 years of struggle," said Senator Scott Ludlam, who
recently joined the Australian Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma.

"It is time that Australia took a stand.  Australian companies must
withdraw their financial interests from Burma, until such time that
democracy is restored and the military Junta ends its violent and
uncivilised oppression of the Burmese people."

Hundreds of Western Australians have signed postcards stating that
"human rights are more important than gas and oil profits" and are
calling on Twinza Oil, whose director is Perth-man William Clough, to
end their financial dealings with the Burmese Government. 

Noelene and other pro-democracy campaigners will join Senator Ludlam to
deliver the postcards to the Clough business office in Nedlands on
Friday 15 August. 

"We encourage anyone who values democracy and freedom more than profits
to join us in to call for an end to Australian companies from
financially supporting the military Junta and its inhumane practices,"
Senator Ludlam said.

Campaigners and will deliver this message on signed postcards to William
Clough at his office, 117 Broadway, Nedlands on 11.30am Friday 15
August.

For comment from Scott Ludlam or Noelene phone: Denise Brailey on 0417
174 302 or 08 9225 5799 


Rachel Pemberton
Communications and Campaign Officer
(Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday)

Senator Scott Ludlam
Ph (08) 9225 5799

www.scottludlam.org.au