Upcoming protest in London against ‘propaganda event’ at Myanmar Embassy

Mizzima

The Burma Campaign UK issued a press release on 5 May announcing s demonstration by activists, members of the Burmese community, and human rights defenders in London to denounce a 14 May event organised by the Myanmar junta through its embassy in London.

The text of the press release is as follows.

The embassy is hosting an “Open Dialogue on Myanmar: Past, Present and Future”. In fact, this is part of a strategy by the Burmese military to legitimise itself, despite continuing to jail, torture and murder those who oppose its regime.

“The Burmese military are holding a so-called open dialogue event in the UK while open dialogue is banned in Burma,” said Minn Tent Bo, Advocacy Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “14,000 political prisoners are in Burmese prisons, many because free speech is banned in Burma.”

Burma Campaign UK is joining this action organised by the Stars of Myanmar Friendship, a Burmese community organisation in the UK.

Since the 2021 coup there have been around 30,000 political related arrests in Burma. Many have been arrested for peaceful protests, social media posts and criticising the Burmese military. Many have faced torture.

The Burmese military, fighting for their survival as they face unprecedented domestic and international pressure, are engaged in a major propaganda offensive designed to preserve their rule. They have held sham elections and are attempting to rebrand themselves. The Burmese military want to give the impression that there is a new civilian government ruling Burma. There isn’t. They are the same old generals with new civilian clothes.

The Burmese community in the UK, supported by human rights organisations including Burma Campaign UK, will protest to oppose any attempt by the Burmese military to use the UK as part of its fake rebranding attempt. This is an attempt to garner legitimacy that the Burmese military do not have.

“Invited participants should boycott this event,” said Minn Tent Bo. “This is not about dialogue. It is about giving voice to propaganda.”