Burma solidarity conference demands democracy

By Trish Corcoran

MELBOURNE -- Up to 100 people attended the Activist Conference for a Free Burma on July 18 and 19 to discuss the political situation in Burma and the prospects for democratisation.

Participants came from many organisations involved in solidarity with Burma: the All-Burma Students Democratic Organisation, the Burmese Women's Union, Burma Writers and Journalists Association (Australia), the Australia-Burma Society, National Union of Students, Resistance and various other non-government organisations.

In 1990, Burmese people, for the first time in three decades, voted in elections. The National League for Democracy (NLD) won 82% of the seats but the result has not been recognised or implemented by the military regime. The winners of the 1990 elections are still being harassed, threatened, tortured and jailed by the dictatorship.

The regime attempted a facelift last year by changing its name from the State Law and Order Restoration Council to the State Peace and Development Council, but there has been no change in its dictatorial rule.

NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has called for the convening of the Burmese National Parliament by August 21. The conference supported this call and solidarity actions prior to this date are being organised.

The day after the conference there was a protest outside Parliament House and a march through the city. Protesters demanded the regime convene the parliament, engage in dialogue with Suu Kyi, free all political prisoners and reopen all universities and colleges in Burma.

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