The situation in Burma

ISFiT 2009 has received a message from the Student Peace Prize 2007 Laureate, Charm Tong, concerning the current situation in Burma. ISFiT supports the movement for a democratic Burma, and we would like to join Charm Tong in condemning the regime's violent response to the ongoing demonstrations.

Charm Tong speaks on behalf of Shan Women's Action Network (SWAN). The message goes as follows:

We strongly condemn the violent crackdown on the peaceful demonstrators by the Burmese military regime, who have completely ignored the will of the people of Burma and the calls of the international community.

The international community must be unified in condemning this brutality. Any form of support, inculding investment, to the regime at this time, is tantamount to supporting their crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, and must be stopped immediately.

Burma's neighboring countries, including Thailand, must prepare themselves for an influx of refugees fleeing the crackdown, and have a clear policy to grant them political asylum.

We also strongly urge China to support efforts for the UN Security Council to pass a binding resolution towards an end of the cycle of suffering of our people.