Burma – Struggle for DemocracyBurma – Struggle for DemocracyBurma is ruled by a brutal and corrupt military dictatorship.

The Burmese Army has been allowed to torture, rape and kill civilians, including children, without facing prosecution.

Burma has an appalling human rights record. Opponents of the dictatorship are tortured or even murdered.

People are not allowed to gather together in groups to protest and trade unions are banned

Elections are not free and fair. In 1990 elections were held in which the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi (left), won 82% of the seats in Parliament.

The dictatorship refused to accept the election and held Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest until last year.

Elections were held in 2010, but they were not open and the NLD were not allowed to stand. The result was that the military dictatorship became a civilian dictatorship.

Aung San Suu Kii imprisoned

The Burmese government spends most of its money on the Army with very little on proper healthcare, education or supporting many people who are in poverty.

The NASUWT supports Burma Campaign UK to promote human rights and the growth of democracy. In recent years this has included donations, targeted protests, contacting politicians in the UK to remind them that these problems still exist in Burma and inviting speakers to discuss their problems.

An NASUWT activist is due to spend a year in Burma developing links and promoting human rights with the support of the Union.

Poor infrastructure in Burma

Left: Burmese monks

Right: Burmese schoolchildren

Life in BurmaLife in Burma

ActivitiesActivities

You could use the information and photos in the You could use the information and photos in the presentation to produce a fact file of the key issues in presentation to produce a fact file of the key issues in Burma.Burma.

Use the information and photos you have researched Use the information and photos you have researched to write a letter to your MP about the issues in to write a letter to your MP about the issues in Burma.Burma.

You could use the information and photos within the You could use the information and photos within the presentation and on the linked websites to produce a presentation and on the linked websites to produce a campaigning leaflet or poster identifying why people campaigning leaflet or poster identifying why people should support a campaign for human rights in should support a campaign for human rights in Burma.Burma.

LinksLinks

For further information, visit: For further information, visit: www.burmacampaign.org.ukwww.burmacampaign.org.uk

For further information on the NASUWT’s For further information on the NASUWT’s campaigns visit campaigns visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/Burmawww.nasuwt.org.uk/Burma

To write a letter to your MP visit To write a letter to your MP visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/ContactYourMPwww.nasuwt.org.uk/ContactYourMP