Hoping to keep people's focus on problems in Myanmar, local activists have begun a campaign in Hong Kong to call for more freedom and democracy in the military-ruled country, with special emphasis on the rights of vulnerable women and children.
The Asian Human Rights Commission, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the Justice and Peace Commission of the HK Catholic Diocese and 10 other organisations came together to set up a Hong Kong Coalition for a Free Burma [Myanmar] last month.
Last Sunday, the coalition held a candle-light vigil in Tsim Sha Tsui for Myanmese women's freedom and justice. They presented a petition signed by more than 60 people and organisations to the Myanmar consulate on Friday. A conference about physical abuse of women in Myanmar, talks and petitions are planned for the future.
'For Burmese, no matter whether they are inside or outside their countries, it is nearly impossible for them to speak up openly owing to the political conditions [there]. Therefore , it is important to speak up for Burmese from the perspective of being an Asian,' said Chato Olivas Gallo, a human rights lawyer who came to Hong Kong from the Philippines 31/2 years ago.
Agreeing with Ms Gallo is Jackie Hung, who is project officer for the Justice and peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese. 'A Burmese I met in Malaysia told me that it is very important for the international community to do something - so support the UN to put pressure on the Burmese military government,' she said. 'In any human rights violation situations, woman and children always suffer the most. It is no exception in Burma.' She has been to Malaysia several times on fact-finding missions to interview Myanmese refugees, and gained a better understanding of problems in Myanmar.
'Many of these Burmese women have suffered physical violence,' Ms Hung said. 'It is so sad to listen to their stories, repeated again and again from individual to individual. This has not changed for years.