Rev. Danny Fisher

Just a Buddhist Minister Trying to Benefit Beings
May 13, 2009

Help Stop the Sri Lankan Bloodbath

This from Avaaz.org:

    Tens of thousands of innocent civilians are trapped in a shrinking 3 square kilometer (1.6 miles) conflict zone – bombarded by government artillery, and used as human shields by the rebels. The Japanese government, Sri Lanka’s largest donor and closest regional partner has the power to help stop this humanitarian disaster.

    Act now by sending a pre-translated message below to the office of Japan´s Foreign Minister Nakasone. The message calls on the Japanese government to:

  • demand that all citizens are protected from harm;
  • push for UN Security Council access to the conflict zone and the capacity to deliver urgent humanitarian aid; and
  • ensure Japan’s aid achieves real peace and human rights.

Send your message here.

May 13, 2009

Email Your House Member about Burma Today

This from the U.S. Campaign for Burma:

    Please email your member of the House of Representives TODAY and ask them to sign on to the “dear colleague” letter to President Obama being circulated by Congressman Crowley (D) and Congressman Mazullo (R).

    The military junta in Burma continues to use rape as a weapon of war, forced labor, and torture, and has destroyed over 3,300 ethnic minority villages. These actions are not only morally reprehensible, they are crimes against humanity and war crimes prohibited under international law. A United Nations Security Council commission of inquiry into Burma is the first step to securing justice for Burma. This letter asks President Obama to support a commission of inquiry.

    It is time for the court to investigate war crimes in Burma and end the impunity for Senior General Than Shwe and his military regime.

Email your House member here.

May 13, 2009

Burma News (5.12.09)

“Pro-democracy supporters hold a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi in New Delhi, India.” Photo by the Agence France Presse / Getty Images.
Here are today’s stories about Burma:

  • National League for Democracy Party spokesman Nyan Win tells CNN that Nobel Peace laureate and Prime Minister-elect Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s health “has improved, and there’s no cause for concern.”
  • The Irrawaddy, though, brings us the news about a Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP) which states that “many Burmese political prisoners who were recently sentenced to long terms of imprisonment in remote prisons around the country are suffering from physical and mental health problems.”
  • The Associated Press reports that “an American accused of swimming across a lake to sneak into the home of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may have made another secret visit to her last year.”
  • The Irrawaddy also reports on two American journalists who were arrested and deported by the junta. The two, who were teaching a workshop, issued a statement saying that they have “no idea why they were arrested and put on a plane to Bangkok.”
  • The Financial Times has an interesting piece about how Burma, which “may appear cut off from the global economic turmoil,” is greatly effected: millions of Burmese families are “dependent on remittances from relatives working overseas,” and job losses are drying up the cash flow.
  • CNN also reports on Cyclone Nargis survivors suffering from homelessness and debt.
  • Reuters reports that the UN has said that the monsoon season poses a threat to many of these and other survivors.
  • Finally, Jack Healey writes passionately about “The Lady” for The Huffington Post.