Liberty Center Launches Regional Initiative
To Support Burmese Democracy Movement;
Mongolian-Burmese Democracy Movement Unite

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia-The Liberty Center today announced plans for a combination legislative and civic campaign to raise awareness and support for Burma's National League for Democracy and imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aunt San Sue Kyi. The campaign will seek to recruit Asian legislators, government officials, and non-government organizations (NGOs) into recognizing the NLD as the legitimate government of Burma, and developing a network of support for Burmese democracy activists and imprisoned political prisoners (many of whom are Buddhist monks). Burma is currently ruled by a military junta that is regarded as one of the most brutal in the world and has been roundly condemned in numerous United Nations resolutions for its repression of democracy activists, human rights abuses, and repression of Buddhists and Muslims seeking peaceful political change.

"We in Mongolia can not sit idly by and say nothing while the Burmese military junta continues its barbaric campaign of destruction against the Burmese people and ethnic groups-many of whom have Mongolian roots," stated former Prime Minister Elbegdorj Tsakhia, the president of the Liberty Center. "Democracy, freedom of speech, the ability to live your life free from the terror of dictatorship are rights that are inherited by each person at birth. These concepts are not native to any one region of the world, they are universal rights given to each of us by the supreme creator of man," he stated. "The Burmese military junta was rejected by the Burmese people in the democratic elections of 1990. The NLD won over 85% of the seats in parliament. "We must raise our collective Asian voices press for peaceful political change in Burma," he said.

As part of the outreach program, Elbegdorj will be briefing Mongolian legislators and government officials on the political and human rights situation in Burma and urging that a resolution be passed in parliament supporting the NLD. Moreover, discussions are underway with Burmese groups on what actions can be taken to support the democracy movement in the country. The project will reach out to other Asian states and build a network of supporters who want to see a change in Burma.

"The military junta is responsible for impoverishing their country, destroying millions of lives, and making Burma an epicenter for the spread of HIV/AIDS, narcotics trafficking and forcing children into the sex industry," Elbegdorj stated. "The junta targets ethnic populations-especially the Chinese-to divert attention from their abuses and spread hatred and mistrust," he said. "Burma's neighbours and even we in Mongolia are forced to pick up the tab for their misrule," he stated.

Elbegdorj finished by stating: "By contrast, a democratic Burma would offer the first real opportunity to deal with AIDS and other social ills, reintegrate Burma into the world community, and have this country become an economic engine for regional growth. Only a Burma governed by the popular will of the Burmese and ethnic nationalities will be able to bring peace and prosperity to this tortured land."

The Liberty Center is an NGO dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights and democratic development in Mongolia and throughout Asia.

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