Activists plan to petition visiting UN sec-general

General News : Monday December 10, 2007

Activists plan to petition visiting UN sec-general

Achara Ashayagachat

Human rights activists will press for more international efforts to bring democracy to Burma during United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's visit to Thailand, which began yesterday.

A coalition of Thai and foreign activists plan to petition the UN chief when he arrives at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific building in Bangkok to observe Human Rights Day today.

San Aung, an exiled member of Burma's National League for Democracy and a core member of the coalition, said they will protest against the Burmese military regime and urge the UN and the international community to double efforts to bring democracy to Burma.

"There has been no significant and tangible change in the regime since concerns were expressed at the UN Security Council and by special envoy Ibrahim Gambari.

"The junta has smooth-talked the world and made false promises," said San Aung.

"The world should not just stand by and belittle Burma's course for democracy," he added.

Mr Ban's visit follows the statement on Friday by UN human rights expert Paulo Sergio Pinheiro that at least 31 people were killed during the recent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Burma - more than double the number acknowledged by Burmse authorities.

Human Rights Watch also recently published a 140-page report on Burma, in which it said many people were killed and detained in the violent government crackdown on monks and demonstrators.

The report was based on more than 100 interviews with eyewitnesses, both in Burma and in Thailand.

Mr Ban, who arrived in Thailand yesterday on his way to the UN Conference on Climate Change in Bali, will officially unveil the logo for the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights during his visit to the UN office.

The former South Korean diplomat will meet Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont today and will later be granted an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Key issues in Mr Ban's talks with the prime minister will include sustainable development in line with the royal projects, especially the sufficiency economy philosophy, and Thailand's achievements in meeting most of its Millennium Development Goals before 2015, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Thailand is the first Asian country visited by Mr Ban since he took office.

By : Bangkok Post