Glenys Kinnock to join action for Burma rally

6th October 2007

BURMA Campaign patron and MEP GLENYS KINNOCK will tomorrow (Oct 6) meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the situation in Burma before addressing a rally in Trafalgar Square urging international action.

Marking the Global Day of Action for Burma, Glenys Kinnock will call on the EU to move "quickly and robustly" in strengthening sanctions against the Burmese junta. EU leaders have agreed to step-up sanctions against the ruling military regime, but the detail is yet to be agreed.

GLENYS KINNOCK said:

"Twenty days ago the world watched as thousands first took to the streets of Burma in protest at the country's brutal military dictatorship. Tomorrow thousands will take to the streets of cities across the world in solidarity.

"Gordon Brown's leadership on the issue has been very encouraging and I welcome EU leaders' decision to strengthen sanctions against the Burmese junta. Now the EU must ensure it moves quickly and robustly in implementing the sanctions in order to send a strong and determined message to the regime.

"The people of Burma have demonstrated tremendous courage and heroism and we owe it to them to ensure the world's attention does not falter. The international community must exercise every effort to bring about the restoration of human rights and democracy in Burma."

Protests are expected across the globe. They have already been scheduled in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, India, Ireland, France, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, the UK and the US. In the UK, the protest is being organised by 25 organisations including Burma Campaign UK, Amnesty International and the TUC.

Notes

• Timings:
o 11.00: Assemble at Tate Britain
o 12.05: Monks will drop petals over Westminster Bridge to symbolise the lives at threat in Burma
o 12.20: The march will come to a stop outside Downing Street where campaigners will tie their headbands onto Downing Street gates
o 12.45: Rally at Trafalgar Square
• Glenys Kinnock is Patron of the Burma Campaign UK.
• For more information please contact Lisa Stevens at the Labour European Office on 029 2022 7654 or 079 7367 8175

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