This is not a Game

Those who know me know that I am involved, albeit in a small way, in the campaign for justice in Burma. Few people would have missed the protests in Burma on the television where thousands of monks took to the streets in peaceful protest, many of whom were met with violence from the police and armed forces. I hope that you were moved as I was when you saw the images. Therefore, I hope that you will join me in committing to keep your television off on August the 8th, 2008.

Burma has one of the most oppressive military governments in the world. It is actively involved in violent oppression of the countries ethnic minorities, violent suppression of any campaigners for democracy or freedom of speech, and persistant use of forced and child labour including in its military. Unfortunately, although there has been great international support for Aung Sang Suu Kyi (Burma's rightful leader and the only living imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner) and the rest of the pro-democracy movement, any meaningful attempts and international pressure have consistently been blocked by China, Burma's biggest financial, military and political support.

China has a shameful human rights record of its own. Even the Olympic building programme has been criticised for its alleged use of forced labour, forced eviction and diversion of water from villages. This is why I ask you to boycott watching the Olympics or supporting it in any way (e.g. avoid buying Olympic branded products or buying products from Olympic sponsors). PLease encourage your friend sna dfamily to do the same.

In 1936 Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany got tremendous publicity by the displays of "international solidarity" at the German-hosted Olypic games. Please do not allow China to do the same.