In Burma & Sudan, Business As Usual -- -- What Must & Can Be Done Now!
By Richard Power
Mia Farrow reports that "the violence is escalating in Darfur: in recent weeks the refugees in Kalma camp, population 90,000, were attacked by the Sudanese army with mortars and machine guns" and as I posted last week, "displaced persons in Otash camp were forcibly and violently moved into the desert-a highly insecure environment."
She further reports that a Chinese official boasted to her, "We are doing normal business with Sudan."
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reports that "Burma's rubies and jade are prized for their beauty but the ugly truth is that the trade in these stones supports human rights abuses ... the sale of these gems gives Burma's military rulers quick cash to stay in power."
It further reports that the Burmese junta has organized an important gem auction is scheduled to be held in Rangoon from 11-14-07 thru 11-26-07.
Farrow is calling for meaningful response on Darfur: We must all shout even louder that this must not be tolerated. Make the upcoming Beijing Olympics our loud speaker. Steven Speilberg should resign without further delay. His continued participation is a disgrace. And while we're at it, let's make it clear we don't want our President -- who represents US -- attending those games under these circumstances. China cannot host the Olympics at home and underwrite genocide in Darfur. I give up on governments; this is the moment for all caring people to stand up and be heard loud and clear. Mia Farrow, 11-8-07
Human Rights Watch is calling for meaningful response on Burma: China, Thailand, the United States, and other countries should completely block the purchase of gems from Burma that help finance military abuses there, Human Rights Watch said today. The group issued its call for targeted sanctions on Burma's gem business ahead of the opening of a major gem auction in Rangoon this week. "Burma's rubies and jade are prized for their beauty but the ugly truth is that the trade in these stones supports human rights abuses," said Arvind Ganesan, director of the Business and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. "The sale of these gems gives Burma's military rulers quick cash to stay in power." ... "The governments and companies that have stopped buying Burmese gems deserve credit for not supporting human rights abusers," said Ganesan. "The rest have the blood of Burmese on their hands." Human Rights Watch, 11-12-07
Tiffany and Leber have refused to buy Burmese gems for a long time. After the recent crackdown, Bulgari, Cartier and several other US and European companies volunteered to boycott Burmese gems. In October, the EU imposed new sanctions to block their import. There is a loophole in current US sanctions. China and Thailand are doing brisk business with the Burmese traders.
Many governments and business interests are being disingenuous in their concerns over the suffering of Darfur and Burma. But Steven Speilberg could make a difference by his own actions, and so could you and I. The Sudan divestment campaign is meaningful. The Olympic action is meaningful. Refusing to purchase Burma's bloody gems is meaningful, so is refusing to purchase Chevron gasoline until it stops lining the Burmese junta's pockets.
"Business as usual" with Burma and Sudan must end.
For a Words of Power Archive of posts on the Crisis in Darfur, click here.
If you want to help save Darfur, here are sites that will show you how:
Mia Farrow
Dream for Darfur
Enough: The Project to End Genocide and Mass Atrocities
Genocide Intervention Network
Divest for Darfur.
Save Darfur!
Seven Most Recent Burma-Related Words of Power Posts
Burma Crisis Update 11-10-07: Amnesty International on "Grave & Ongoing Human Rights Violations"; Alternate Media Vital to Resistance
Burma Crisis Update: An Open Letter to the Executives of Chevron
Burma Crisis Update: Two Weeks Into the Crackdown, China Has Not Tempered the Thugocracy's Hand; Chevron Has Not Even Slapped Its Wrist
Human Rights Update 10-6-07: Chevron, Condoleeza Rice & the Burmese Thugocracy
Human Rights Update: Blackwater, Burma, Darfur & You
Human Rights Watch to Business: "Keeping quiet while monks & other peaceful protesters are murdered & jailed is not ... constructive engagement."
Human Rights Update: Blackwater, Burma, Darfur & You
Hard Rain Journal 9-27-07: Aung San Suu Kyi was Elected in 1990, Al Gore was Elected in 2000 -- Consider What Has Befallen Both Countries Since
Darfur, Africa,Mia Farrow, Steven Spielberg, Chevron, Sudan, Aung San Suu Kyi, China, Human Rights, Olympic Boycott, Richard Power, Words of Power
