The Australian government and the Burmese military junta are being informed with a strong message from the Sydneysiders that they will not tolerate the ongoing abuses, human rights, torture and violence against the peaceful protestors in Burma, said Dr. John Kaye, the protest rally organiser.

After a month of the ongoing peaceful demonstration led by monks in Burma, the military junta starts shooting to the protesting mob. Many protestors have been injured and five monks have been confirmed dead. Hundred of monks have been arrested.

“The military regime begins showing their brutal character” said Dr Kaye, the president of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma and a Greens New South Wales’ Member of Parliament.

Following the gun fire on the innocent monks and civilian in Burma, today, more than three hundred of the angry protesters march from Martin Place to the Prime Minister, John Howard’s office in Central Business District (CBD), holding Aung San Suu Kyi’s picture and various placards of demanding “Free Burma” and urging the government “Act Now”.

The Sydneysiders have been urged to attend an emergency lunchtime protest conducted by Ms Penny Sharpe, the Vice President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma and the Labor Party NSW’s MP.

“As citizens of the world committed to human rights and freedoms, all of us have a responsibility to pressure the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to take a strong stand” she said.

Dr. Kaye says, the Australian government has been silent since the demonstration began last month and they just began to show their little concerns on Burma a few days ago. The Australian government needs to become a leading voice on the international arena calling out for democracy in Burma .

They should make clear to the Burmese regime that there is no future in the military dictatorship, such as systematic abuses of human rights and using violence within legitimate political protest. “It is a high time that the Australian government becomes a leader not a follower and makes clear that we will not tolerate this behavior in Southeast Asia ” he said.

The Australian government is indirectly getting involved with the brutal Burmese military regime in political and economical issues. The Greens leader Mr. Bob Brown urged the government to stop aids and training of military officers in ‘counter-terrorism’. “Howard should stop Burmese military training and technology” said in his statement.

Similarly, the Greens Senator Kerry Nettle has pointed out in her Media Release that there are several Australian oil companies and timber interests operating in Burma . She urges the Foreign Minister, Mr. Alexander Downer to check the Australian companies in Burma .

“The Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma is planning to make a protest around the Australia to a level where the Australian government and the Burmese dictatorship can no longer ignore the outcry that is happening in Australia and around the world for democracy in Burma” Dr. Kaye said.

In an interview this evening, the Prime Minister John Howard condemns the regime and announces that the Australian government will give sanction on the Burmese military junta. This is Mr. John Howard’s first time condemnation since the demonstration on fuel oil price crisis began last month.