By Lisa McElherron from NICVA
Published on 12 Oct 2007
Up to 200 hundred people attended a rally in Belfast to show support for the peaceful protests calling for democratic change in Burma.
Sally Taylor speaking at the rally
Standing in the afternoon sun under the impressive Ring Of Hope sculpture beside the river Lagan, participants heard details of how the illegal military junta controlling Burma had violently repressed the protesters.
Belfast based Buddhist Sally Taylor explained how the monks who have been leading the protests are being massacred, tortured and imprisoned. Sally then read out a special Buddhist prayer in a show of solidarity with her co-religionists in Burma.
"We can't turn a blind eye to Burma"
The rally was organised by Trocaire and supported by NICVA and ICTU. Trocaire has been working in Burma since 1995 and regional manager Eithne McNulty said that there must be more pressure on the junta to change.
"We can't turn a blind eye to the atrocious human rights abuses happening in Burma. Despite the widely acknowledged illegitimacy of the ruling government inadequate pressure has been applied from the international community."
Lisa McElherron NICVAs Policy Manager said
"What happened here today, and in cities across the globe, was very symbolic and powerful.
"NICVA supported this event because we believe that social injustice is social injustice wherever it occurs and want to let the people of Burma know that the world is with them and send a clear message to the leaders of Burma that the world is watching them"
Video from the rally
Headliners have a report on the rally on their website with video from the event including an interview with Sally Taylor.
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