The time is now for Burma: act to bring change

After decades of military dictatorship, the people of Burma are rising. Marches begun by monks and nuns are snowballing: today 100,000 have taken to the streets of Rangoon.

When the Burmese last marched in 1988, the military massacred thousands. But if the world stands up for the protesters, this time it could be different. Below are some actions you can take and more background info.

Photo Monks demonstrating

Send email to EU President and Gordon Brown here and sign petition to United Nations Security Council members here.

For decades the Burmese dictatorship fought off pressure - imprisoning elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy activists, wiping out thousands of villages in the provinces, bringing miseries from forced labour to refugee camps. One-third of children under 5 now suffer malnutrition; millions are down to one meal a day.

But last Tuesday Buddhist monks and nuns, overwhelmingly respected in Burma, began marching and chanting prayers. The protests spread - now they're growing by tens of thousands every day, as ordinary people, even celebrities and comedians join in. They've broken the chains of fear and given hope to 52 million Burmese. However, this hope is hanging by a thread. While hesitating to attack the respected monks, the regime is reported to be organising violence. Demonstrators have already been beaten, shots have been fired.

This is one of those moments where the world can make the difference: standing shoulder to shoulder with the Burmese people, helping to shine a dissolving light on tyranny. Let the demonstrators know the world is with them. Send email to EU President and Gordon Brown here and sign petition to United Nations Security Council members here.

Many years ago before the tourist boycott I was fortunate enough to visit the country and met many of the people there. Since then I have joined the various campaigns to help the Burmese people - put Burma into search facility above to find previous blog entries on Burma from this last year. I hope very much readers of this blog will be able to support this important action .