Simply just opening this web page could have you arrested, detained by security personnel and imprisoned for years without trial.

I continue the theme of political inequality from my last post, only this case is somewhat more extreme, the country I talk about is of course; Burma.

The current events in neighbouring Thailand reminded me of the incomprehendable chaos, controversy and inequality that has shadowed Burma for the past 48 years. A chaos which has wrongly been ignored by British government and media. It seems it has been given up as a 'lost cause'.

Over 250,000 Muslims fled to Bangladesh as a result of a major army offensive in 1989. A similar amount followed as a result of further offensives in 1997.
No, this isn't the BNP. This is the Junta; Burma's brutal military government.


The unjust targeting of Muslim communities isn't the only horrific crime the Junta have to boast about...


The Junta have imposed forced labor on 800,000 people, massacred thousands of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators, driven more than 1million people into exile and have carried out murder, rape and torture whilst depriving the Burmese of many basic human rights which we take for granted.

In Burma; torture has become an institution.

So, who are the Junta?

The Junta is the name given to the military government in Burma who overthrew the last democratically elected government in 1962. Since seizing power, the Junta have corrupted Burma Stalin-style; ruling through terror and injustice.

Political gatherings are banned.
The opposing political party; the NLD (National League for Democracy) won the last election with an 80% majority; but the Junta refused to move from power.

Up to 20years imprisonment can be given for simply opposing the Junta's policies; whether this be through peaceful demonstration, simply 'having a moan' or violent protest.
Censorship is heavy - even art exhibitions have to be approved of by the military authority.
And all computers, fax machines and modems (anything that could be used to communicate with the outside world) have to be licensed so only those who are deemed 'trustworthy' by the government can possess them; otherwise it's 15 years in jail.

Perhaps it isn't entirely true to say Western countries have given Burma up as 'a lost cause'... Gordon Brown promised to maintain the pressure on the Junta in 2007 whilst the UN and other international organisations such as Amnesty International have made moves towards taking action.

But, the current economic crisis in Europe and America has brought problems closer to home and many people remain blissfully unaware of the situation in Burma.

I am not saying we launch a full-scale intervention into Burma, although it is needed.
But I am asking for people to strip back their ignorance:

Next time you complain about the government's spending cuts, the NHS waiting lists, the MPs expenses, the deficit, immigration e.t.c, e.t.c... and you realise that our government and society is far from perfect - just think to yourself it could be a whole lot worse - because in Burma; that single complaint could completely change your life; and it wouldn't be for the better.





More information about the situation in Burma and how you can support the campaign to stand up to the Junta can be found through this link:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11780