The ‘Change For Burma’ Campaign Launched
Change for Burma, a campaign that highlights the current crisis in Burma and calls for urgent and meaningful change in the country was launched yesterday by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) in partnership with Premier Christian Media.
The campaign, endorsed by Bishop Desmond Tutu, aims to mobilise Christians to join the worldwide campaign for freedom and human rights in Burma. It highlights three immediate steps which the international community should take to address the political and humanitarian emergency in Burma.
The first step is to act without delay to ensure the immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis, with whatever means necessary. The second is to categorically reject the results of the sham referendum held in Burma earlier this month. The third is to put pressure on the UN Security Council to refer a case of crimes against humanity against Burma’s ruling generals to the International Criminal Court.
Nobel Laureate and Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Bishop Desmond Tutu, added his support to the Change for Burma! Campaign with a challenge to Christians to stand with the people of Burma. Bishop Tutu said: “We follow the Christ who always stood with the oppressed, the weak and the marginalised; ’inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these ye have done it to me.’ Let us join with Christ with those suffering in Burma. Let us support them in their plight.”
CSW’s Advocacy Officer for Burma, Benedict Rogers, has recently returned from a visit to the Thailand-Burma border. He said: “It is imperative that Christians take up our clear biblical mandate for justice and join with others around the world to pray, protest and provide for the suffering people of Burma. We must campaign and put pressure on our governments to respond to the chronic emergency in Burma today. We must not rest until Burma and all its people are free. We believe in a God of freedom, justice and human dignity, and so I hope every Christian in the free world will join this campaign.”
The campaign’s website, www.changeforburma.org, launched yesterday, will contain updates on the situation and online petitions.
