INDEPENDENT NEWS

Govt: Must Speak Out Over Burma Crackdown

Published: Mon 4 Sep 2000 01:37 PM
Locke Urges Govt. To Speak Out Over Burma Crackdown
Green MP Keith Locke wants the Government to speak out against the latest crackdown on pro-democracy opposition in Burma.
"New Zealand should join Britain and the United States in condemning the house arrest of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of her party," said Mr Locke, who is the NZ Green Party's foreign affairs spokesperson.
"There are reports that police have raided offices of the National League for Democracy, Suu Kyi's party.
"If the world doesn't speak out now, the military rulers may be emboldened to conduct mass arrests of NLD members.
"The military is obviously desperate to silence Suu Kyi, who voices the aspirations of most Burmese for an end to dictatorship and a return to democracy.
"After a nine-day standoff, the junta forced Suu Kyi and her entourage to return to Rangoon and put her under de facto house arrest.
"New Zealand shouldn't be overly influenced by the silence of ASEAN nations on this ominous development in Burma.
"We have to be a voice for human rights in the Asia/Pacific," said Mr Locke.
Ends

Next in New Zealand politics

National Should Heed Tribunal Warning And Scrap Coalition Commitment With ACT
By: New Zealand Labour Party
Government Saves Access To Medicines
By: New Zealand Government
Law And Order, Finance, And Defence A Focus For Ukrainian Parliamentary Delegation To New Zealand
By: Office of the Speaker
Fast-track Approvals Bill Presents A Serious Risk To New Zealand Exporters
By: Environmental Defence Society
New Lab To Help Protect Key Pacific Tuna Fisheries
By: New Zealand Government
Ruawai Leader Slams Kaipara Council In Battle Over $400k Property
By: Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media