Letter submitted by email by Tony Stokle
RE: INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AND DFID FUNDING
FOR BURMA
I understand that the International Development
Committee is to hold an inquiry into how the Department for International
Development operates with regards to Burma. I would like to make
the case that more should be done to support projects which actively
promote transition to democracy in Burma.
Funding of such pro-democracy projects does
address the root cause of poverty and human rights abuses within
Burma and can therefore be justified on both strategic and economic
grounds.
A shift in DFIDs policy, to support pro-democracy
movements both within Burma and on the borders, would bring it
in line with US policy and also show a consistent approach, granted
that DFID is already funding pro-democracy projects in China,
Russia, the Balkans and Kenya.
The transition to democracy and the establishment
of a civil society within Burma will require investment and is
clearly needed for agencies in exile which can facilitate this
change. Specifically, I would like to request you to fund two
such organisations which are currently promoting democratic transition
in Burma , and that I have personal contact with and so can recommend
them as highly reputable and valid organisations:
1. Federation of Trade Unions Karen (FTUK)
The FTUK is a trade union congress with member
unions; it works inside Burma and on the Thai-Burma border to
educate, organize, and strengthen Burmese workers and other pro-democracy
movements.
2. Federation of Trade Unions, Burma (FTUB)
The FTUB is a trade union congress with member
unions; it works inside Burma to educate, organize, and strengthen
Burmese workers and other pro-democracy movements. The FTUB also
seeks to organize democratic trade unions in ethnic areas and
publish teaching materials, in a variety of languages to promote
the concepts of democracy and trade union rights.
I hope the Committee will consider the points
raised above when it considers funding for Burma in the years
ahead. It is essential that due weight is given to the need to
address the causes of deprivation and human rights abuses in Burma
and to support pro-democracy movements which stand the greatest
chance to rectify these problems.
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