Look To The Stars News: US Campaign for Burma

Desmond Tutu Calls For Action In Burma

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu is calling on people to sign a petition to the U.S. and U.K. Ambassadors to the United Nations asking for a UN Security Council Commission of Inquiry and a global arms embargo on Burma.

The timing on this is crucial: the United States (and United Kingdom) have an unparalleled opportunity to take action. In August and September, the UK and US will serve consecutively as President of the UN Security Council. The UK and US ambassadors to the UN, John Sawers and Susan Rice, have the power to propose a Security Council resolution creating this investigation (also called a “Commission of Inquiry”).

About six weeks ago, 55 members of Congress sent a letter to the Obama administration urging him to call for an official UN Security Council investigation into crimes against humanity in Burma. So far, the administration’s verbal calls for change in Burma are falling on the deaf ears of Than Shwe’s military regime.

Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient, recently echoed the calls of the 55 members of Congress, stating: “Burma’s generals are criminals, and must be treated as such. Than Shwe should be held accountable for abominable atrocities: his soldiers rape ethnic women and children, they torture, mutilate and murder at will. In eastern Burma, more than 3,300 ethnic villages have been destroyed, more than in Darfur. Civilians are deliberately targeted and shot on sight. The UN must establish a commission of inquiry, with a view to compiling evidence for prosecution. Failure to do so amounts to complicity with these crimes.”

Congress and Tutu aren’t the only ones calling for urgent action. The former United Nations expert on human rights in Burma, made the exact same call in an article in the New York Times stating: “The Security Council must establish a commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity and impunity in Myanmar. The Security Council took similar steps with regard to Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The situation in Myanmar is equally as critical.”

At the same time, five of the world’s leading judges — including those that served on the International Criminal Tribunals on Rwanda and Yugoslavia — just released a report calling for an end to crimes against humanity in Burma, and urging the UN Security Council to create a commission of inquiry.

The United States and United Kingdom have an unparalleled opportunity this August and September to help stop crimes against humanity in Burma. To sign the US Campaign for Burma petition, click here.

Joan Baez to Sing for Burma

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:30:00 -0000

On May 1st, in remembrance of the first anniversary of Cyclone Nargis, an extraordinary Burmese choir will bring the gift of their music to the Cowell Theater in San Francisco. Their stories of courage and hope will honor the strength of the human spirit through song, and the evening will include a special guest performance by Joan Baez.

Tickets for the event begin at $25 for general admission, and go up to the $500 Saffron Supporter level, which includes admission for 2 at the pre-event Mingala Reception with the Gitameit Choir, 2 reserved tickets, plus $350 tax deductible donation to Foundation for the People of Burma.

For more information on the event, visit the Foundation for the People of Burma website. To purchase tickets, click here.

May 3rd, 2009 marks the first anniversary of the day that the storm hit ground in Burma. Burma’s Emergency Assistance Team (EAT-Burma) estimates at least 2.4 million were displaced, killed, or affected by the storm and its aftermath. A number of relief workers, including comedian Zarganar, remain locked-up for their efforts.

EAT-Burma was established in 2008 through the collaboration of Burmese community-based organizations. They have been working to deliver food, water, health services, and rehabilitation aid to the people affected by the storm. This week they have called for communities around the globe to participate in a day of remembrance on the one-year anniversary of the cyclone.

Participate

Other events are planned around the world to commemorate this day and you are welcome to organize your own vigil or remembrance event on Sunday, May 3rd. Here are a couple of other events that have already been planned:

New York City
Khetmar, co-founder of Zagawa Environment Network, will share her experience saving the lives of Cyclone Nargis victims and the oppression they faced. April 30th at 7pm. 80 Park Avenue Apt. 20B. Space is limited, please RSVP to Moe Chan oway_student@yahoo.com.

Washington, DC
Vigil in front of Burma’s military attache (2300 California St. NW). May 3rd at Noon. For more information contact Mike at mike@uscampaignforburma.org.

If you would like to organize your own event or would like U.S. Campaign for Burma to let our members know about an event that you have already organized, please contact Mike at mike@uscampaignforburma.org.

Take Action

The regime’s reaction to the cyclone proves that a political resolution is needed to solve Burma’s humanitarian problems. For more information on the regime’s response to the storm see the new report, After the Storm: Voices from the Delta, released by John Hopkins University and Mae Tao Clinic.

The release of the the Junta’s 2,100 political prisoners would be a vital step toward creating a government that is responsive to the will of Burma’s people. You can sign the global petition to voice your support to release all political prisoners and set Burma free.

Julie Benz To Host US Campaign For Burma Dinner

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of Dexter may like to get down to Beso on Hollywood Blvd later tonight, December 30, as one of the show’s stars is hosting a special charity gala.

Julie Benz, who plays Rita on Dexter, is hosting the Celebrity Foundation Dinner to benefit the US Campaign for Burma and the Human Rights Action Center. The evening will also include a performance by Jose Cortes from the Gipsy Kings, and stars such as Sylvester Stallone, Jason Biggs, Jenny Mollen Biggs, Stacy Dash, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Valerie Cruz are expected to attend.

The US Campaign for Burma aims to help the people of Burma achieve their dreams of freedom, peace, democracy, and human rights. The organization is dedicated to empowering grassroots activists around the world to bring about an end to the military dictatorship in Burma.

Through public education, leadership development initiatives, conferences, and advocacy campaigns at local, national and international levels, USCB works to empower Americans and Burmese dissidents-in-exile to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma and raise awareness about the egregious human rights violations committed by Burma’s military regime. The campaign has recruited stars such as Will Ferrell and Jennifer Aniston to record PSAs encouraging people to stand up against the injustice occurring in Burma, and recently a group of former world leaders, presidents, and prime ministers – including Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair, and George Bush Sr – wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to ask him to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma by the end of this year.

Tonight’s event takes place at 7pm at Beso, 6653 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

World Leaders Ask For UN Help In Burma

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A massive group of former world leaders, presidents, and prime ministers – including Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair, and George Bush Sr – have written to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to ask him to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma by the end of this year.

“We write this letter to applaud your public consideration of traveling to Burma, also known as Myanmar, before the end of the year,” the leaders wrote in the letter. “We encourage this trip because it would illustrate for the world whether or not the Burmese military regime is serious about making changes called for by the United Nations Security Council and your good offices.”

The Burmese military regime is currently trying to silence the people of Burma through a major crackdown on human rights activists, but the leaders from 50 countries have joined the effort to set them free and make their voices heard.

“As you are aware, on October 11, 2007, the United Nations Security Council issued a Presidential statement calling on the Burmese military junta to release all political prisoners in Burma, including the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, [”Aung San Suu Kyi":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1319-aung-san-suu-kyi].

“We urge you to make it clear that all political prisoners in Burma must be released by the end of this year, regardless of whether you travel to Burma. If the Burmese junta continues to defy the United Nations by refusing to make these releases by the end of the year, we urge you to encourage the Security Council to take further concrete action to implement its call for the release of all political prisoners.”

Several human rights groups, including the US Campaign for Burma, are currently trying to get the full letter published in this Sunday’s edition of the New York Times to publicize the leaders’ involvement in the cause and raise awareness of the issue.

“The Burmese people are counting on the United Nations to take the required action to achieve the breakthrough they desperately need to both restore democracy to their country and address the serious humanitarian and human rights challenges that they face.”

The full text of the letter can be read here.

Will Ferrell Launches Human Rights Awareness Month

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Funnyman Will Ferrell launched Human Rights Awareness Month earlier this week with a passionate plea to help Burma.

“You know when you hear about something happening in the world that is so awful, so violent and terrible and evil and wrong and you think wait – I have to do something about this,” he said in a PSA. “But it just seems too big… this month, all that is going to change for you. A human rights crisis is happening right now in the South East Asian country of Burma… Today we’re launching a 30 day campaign for human rights and democracy in Burma.”

Ferrell announced that over the next month, special videos featuring stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Woody Harrelson, and Jackson Browne will be featured on the US Campaign for Burma YouTube page, to talk about the Burmese fight for freedom from an unjust and violent military regime.

“You’ll also get to know one of my heroes, an extraordinary woman called [”Aung San Suu Kyi":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1319-aung-san-suu-kyi], " said Ferrell. “She sacrificed her freedom to lead a non-violent protest movement against oppression in Burma. Stay with us for 30 straight days, alert all of your friends, speak at school, speak at your churches, talk to strangers in the street… invite them to join with us, the US Campaign for Burma, as we build a coalition of millions of people who care about human rights. People power counts. Let this month be the month you join an effort to change the world.”

The full PSA can be viewed here.

Students Launch Fundraising For Burma

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

The US Campaign for Burma is excited to announce the launch of their first-ever Student Fundraising Challenge.

This fall, on campuses across the United States and around the world, students will participate in an effort to raise $32,000 to increase awareness of 3,200 villages that have been destroyed in Eastern Burma during the military regime’s ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.

In an open letter, a group of university students from across the U.S. has called on their fellow students to participate in the Challenge and to “stand in solidarity with students inside Burma and show that we too can have a positive impact on Burma’s future.”

Prizes will be awarded to the five groups who fundraise the most money, including For the Lady CDs autographed by Michael Stipe of REM and USCB T-shirts. The group that raises the most money will win the photograph of Burmese dictator Than Shwe that Ellen Page drew on during her Burma: It Can’t Wait video spot, plus weeklong recognition on the US Campaign for Burma homepage.

The full letter written by the university students can be found here, and more information about the fundraising initiative can be found at the US Campaign for Burma website.

Aung San Suu Kyi - Birthday Wishes That Can't Be Heard

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

On June 19, Burma’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi will spend her 63rd birthday as a political prisoner in Burma (Myanmar). And to mark the occasion, the US Campaign for Burma have organized over 200 events to help Americans learn more about her and the struggle for human rights and democracy in her military-led country.

Aung San Suu Kyi is a brave and courageous woman whose face is now more well-known than her name. But it is a face etched with sincerity, a face that has retained its youthful vigor despite the hardships it has endured, despite the years spent watching her fellow people suffer, and the lines that now run over it only add a look of wisdom and determination to her dogged drive and dedication.

Hers’ is an incredible and powerful story in a country that is struggling – a story of an academic based at Oxford University in England who returned to her native Burma to oppose the brutal military regime in her homeland, risking her life and leaving her husband and children behind. She led the National League for Democracy to a staggering win – with 80% of the votes – at the 1990 elections, only to have her post as Prime Minister nullified, and she has been imprisoned almost ever since. She even had to wait under house arrest when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. She was prevented from seeing him before he died, not allowed to comfort him at his bedside or help her children through their pain.

Aung San Suu Kyi is a remarkable woman – immortalized in the U2 song “Walk On” and the only Nobel Peace Prize winner kept imprisoned anywhere in the world – her crime was her desire to see her people free. And tomorrow yet another birthday will creep by, its shadow filling the cracks that run through her extraordinary life. But it will not go unobserved, and the US Campaign for Burma – an organization dedicated to empowering grassroots activists around the world to bring about an end to the military dictatorship in Burma – is urging people to join them in marking the occasion.

As part of the organization’s efforts, thousands of their members have pressed the U.S. Congress to award Aung San Suu Kyi the highest U.S. honor – the Congressional Gold Medal; they have organized over 60 former Presidents and Prime Ministers from every single continent to issue a united call for Suu Kyi’s release; they have pressed the United Nations Security Council to issue its first-ever acknowledgement of Aung San Suu Kyi as a democracy leader of Burma in a presidential statement; and they have rallied 30 celebrities to record short videos about Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for human rights in Burma.

To find events the campaign has organized, or to donate to their cause, visit the US Campaign for Burma website.

Celebrities Raising Voices For Burma

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:46:12 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Will Ferrell and Jennifer Aniston have joined the US Campaign for Burma, and are asking others to do the same for the Burma: It Can’t Wait Campaign. Stars are on a mission to raise one million voices in 30 days against the human rights atrocities occurring in the Southeast Asian country.

The people of Burma are being attacked by their own government, and, just as the world stood together to demand the freedom of Nelson Mandela, the campaign is asking people to speak up for the leader of Burma’s democratic party, Aung San Suu Kyi. The world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Suu Kyi has been deprived of her freedom for 12 of the last 18 years. She has appealed to people around the world, saying, “Please, use your liberty to promote ours.”

To make matters even worse, southwestern Burma was hit by a cyclone on Friday, May 2, leaving up to 60,000 dead, with tens of thousands missing and hundreds of thousands displaced or homeless. It is being called the worst natural disaster in Asia since the 2004 tsunami. Despite knowing about the approaching cyclone days in advance, the government did not warn its citizens. The U.S. Campaign For Burma is accepting donations to help with relief efforts in the medium-term, as the Burmese government is currently blocking international aid agencies from offering their support.

Join Woody Harrelson, Sarah Silverman, Julie Benz, Eddie Izzard and the others who are speaking out for the brave young people fighting for democracy and struggling through the wake of Cyclone Nargis. For more information visit the U.S. Campaign For Burma, and to view the celebrity videos, go to BurmaItCantWait.org.

Look To The Stars News: US Campaign for Burma

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