Brussels, — The conference “We are Burma – A human response to a human disaster” due to be held in Brussels on 12 December at the KVS Flemish theatre will highlight the appalling human and trade union rights situation in the country. The ITUC, which has been active for many years in tackling the dramatic situation in Burma, will be fully involved in the conference. Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the ITUC, and Rudy de Leeuw, President of the Belgian national trade union centre the FGTB, will speak at the conference to present their organisations’ view.

For nearly 50 years, the south-east Asian state of Burma has been in the yoke of a military dictatorship that has subjected the majority of the population to a life of abject poverty. Forced labour, the genocide of minorities, widespread human and trade union rights abuses, forced displacements, child soldiers, rape…all are part of the daily repression.

The ITUC has always protested against the intolerance of the Burmese regime towards any act of dissidence or opposition. Maximum international pressure against the ruling military junta is more necessary than ever. “The persistent repression and blatant attacks on the most fundamental rights by the Burmese junta are simply unacceptable,” stated Guy Ryder.

“We are Burma” is an event that will bring together thinkers, politicians, artists, media and social actors to encourage individuals in their own small way to take responsibility for the situation in
Burma. The dual purpose of the evening is to bring attention to the Burmese situation among European circles and to highlight the work being done in the field by NGOs whose members risk their lives delivering cross border aid, relief, health services and educational programmes inside Burma.

At the “We are Burma” evening event short video documentaries shot inside Burma and first hand accounts from activists will illustrate the desperate situation in the country. As the population face the daily reality of forced labour and the repression of fundamental freedoms, Maung Maung, General Secretary of the FTUB (Federation of Trade Unions – Burma, affiliated to the ITUC) will talk of his own experience of the underground struggle of Burmese trade unionists. Philosophers, artists, politicians and journalists will show how it is possible to get involved and help change the situation. Filip Kowlier, Tom Pintens, Sioen, Pieter-Jan De Smet, Jan Hautekiet and Rick De Leeuw, Dieudonne Cabongo, Willy Claes, Patrick Ouchène among others will provide the musical entertainment for the evening.

All proceeds from the evening event will go to the Thai-Burmese not-for-profit association Blood Foundation, which organises education projects in the country, where access to education is so desperately lacking.

Keynote speakers: Aung Htun (BurmaVJ), Steve Gumaer, Guy Ryder, Maung Maung, Marie Arena, Bart Staes, Rudy de Leeuw, Moe Bu, Robin Ramaekers.

For more information see : http://www.weareburma.net

KVS ( Koninklijke vlaamse schouwburg) BOL 146, rue de Laeken 1000 Bruxelles, à 20h.

ITUC Report : “Burma : Trade unionists brave the tightrope” Despite the risk of torture and imprisonment, trade unionists operate underground to come to the aid of Burmese workers. They inform thousands of people about their rights and help to fight against forced labour, a scourge still widespread under the military regime. Burmese trade unionists also assist migrant workers in Thailand.

To read the full report: http://www.ituc-csi.org/union-view-burma.html

The ITUC represents 170 million workers in 157 countries and territories and has 312 national affiliates. http://www.ituc-csi.org http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

CONTACT: Mathieu Debroux, ITUC
Tel: +32 476 621 018
Tel: +32 2 224 0204
e-mail: mathieu.debroux@ituc-csi.org
e-mail: press@ituc-csi.org
ITUC Press Department
Tel: +32 2 224 0204
Tel: +32 476 621 018
KVS
Tel: +32 2 210 11 12