Burma situation “significantly worse”
Diet Simon, sourcing from an Avaaz email - 16.02.2008 22:55
The overall situation in Burma has deteriorated significantly since the protests three months ago, with 80% of the leadership of the monk and student networks that led them caught and jailed, reports the international public opinion campaigning organisation, Avaaz. The remaining 20% are on the run, hiding in safe houses and constantly at risk, a circular email from Avaaz says. “The Burmese generals have used torture extensively to work their way through these networks. They have also immediately and viciously cracked down on any street protests."
“One of our original hopes was to break the media and internet blackout that the Burmese generals had imposed on the country. But now, even if we did, there are no significant protests to cover. The public protests have been smothered, for now.”
Avaaz, which claims two million members, reports that three months ago thousands of them donated more than $325,000 in just 4 days “to support the Burmese people's efforts to peacefully promote political change and tell the world about their struggle”.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Ricken Patel, reports on his visit to the region after the fundraiser: “I met with Burmese activist leaders, discussed strategy and took their guidance on the best way to make our members' financial support matter.”
There is hope, Patel writes, “and with all of our support, Avaaz is helping it grow”. He explains the main reasons for hope:
1. “The protests last fall brought a whole new generation of nonviolent activists into politics. Hundreds of thousands of new people are eager to take up the cause.
2. “The brutality against monks, revered by all Burmese, was the last straw for the Burmese generals. They have now lost all legitimacy whatsoever with the people--they are holed up in a jungle capital and rule by force of terror alone.
3. “There are signs of dissension within the Burmese military, as some senior officers refused to crack down on the protesters.
4. “International pressure remains steady. The Junta has been pressured, by the UN Security Council and by China, into fast tracking their (flawed) plan for democratization, and have announced a constitutional referendum to be held in May.
5. “2008 is going to be a big year for the Burmese democracy movement. Plans are being made, the movement is thinking big and planning its return.”
In the email Patel outlines how the Avaaz donation is being spent “to make sure the money made a difference”.
“Avaaz made its first transfers of money, almost $60,000, immediately after the online fundraiser, all of it going to technology that would help break the blackout on media that the junta had imposed.
“However, as we raised 3 times more than requested, we had more than necessary for urgent needs, and took time to consult widely with the community and make sure the money was going to the most crucial needs and the best organizations to meet them.
“I travelled to the region and met with leaders of the resistance movement for 2 weeks. I listened, asked questions, and learned. I have worked for years in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, and Afghanistan for the United Nations, the International Crisis Group and other organizations, and I first got involved in Burma activism in 2001, so I had some experience to bring to understand the dynamics and the groups involved.
“From the start, we recognized that granting money well, monitoring its expenditure, and following up is a demanding activity that requires professional support.
“Avaaz is a campaigning organization and not in this business. So we chose a foundation partner with long experience supporting the Burmese people to advise and administer our community's donation.
“That group is the Open Society Institute, one of the largest and most respected foundations in the world. OSI is taking no overhead on the funds we are granting to Burmese groups, and has also increased its own support to this cause in 2008.
“The priorities and grants that emerged from discussions with Burmese groups and other experts were:
1. “Technology--$92,000--Burmese groups need to be able to communicate with each other effectively both to coordinate their activities and keep links with the rest of the world.
2. “Organizing--$150,000--engaging a new generation of activists, training them in non-violent grass roots organizing and communications, and maintaining organizing links between Burmese activists inside and outside the country was the most important priority identified.
3. “Humanitarian--$20,000--many families and activists have been devastated by arrest, torture, and disappearance. The lack of support to these families is a disincentive for future activists. We allocated $20,000 for support to victims and victims' families, including helping them to get their story out to the world. (Note the smaller size of this grant is due to this area being the most popular among other funders--we wanted to focus where the greatest need was)
4. “International Advocacy--$40,000--many Burmese groups are doing outstanding work pressing foreign governments and organizing Burmese diaspora communities. This is a key piece of the puzzle to keep up international pressure.
5. “Reserve--$25,869--we kept a reserve for upcoming projects and needs that we haven't yet identified. Many plans are being developed for 2008, and this money will help kick-start the best one or two of them.”
The groups receiving Avaaz financial support have asked not to be publicized, many of them operating quietly in countries where governments are afraid to offend the Burmese generals by housing them, and so they would prefer that we don't draw too much attention to them, Patel writes.
“However you can visit the OSI Burma Project website (they are administering our donation) and see a list of all of all their grantees.
This money goes a long way in a region where the average income is just $2000 a year or less.
“Our donations have helped give a massive boost in support to the Burmese people--in some cases we are doubling the amount of money available for a certain purpose.
“This is a serious demonstration of how people power--thousands of us from every country pooling our time and money--can change the world.
“I made a promise to the Burmese groups on behalf of our community that I hope you agree with--I said 'we are with you, as long as it takes'. With a little luck, it may not take that long--2008 will be a big year for Burma. Let's get ready.”
Patel’s mail quotes messages from veteran Burmese activists:
"Our spirit and commitment to strive for freedom, equality and justice is stronger and reassured by the solidarity from the international community. The capability enhanced by the support of Avaaz.org will endure the long awaited victory of our people power movement--the unfinished struggle. We, the people of Burma, feel proud and honored for being a member of the international family who always strive for the freedom of the oppressed. Thank you indeed from friends in need."--Dr. Naing Aung, Secretary General, Forum for Democracy in Burma
"The Burma democracy movement is severely under-funded compared to successful political oppositions in Eastern Europe, South Africa and elsewhere. Grassroots Burmese groups working inside and in exile are completely overextended, but they are committed to keep their struggle on the world's human rights agenda, and their success in 2008 is dependent on support from individuals like Avaaz.org members."--Maureen Aung Thwin, Burma Project Director, Open Society Institute
"As Monks, we should protect Burmese society but the military dictatorship has total disregard for the welfare of our people. Because of the SPDC's rule, the Sangha can no longer perform our Buddhist duties and practices. We will continue our peaceful movement with the support of groups like Avaaz.org. It is our call for change."--U Pamaukkha (Monk leader inside Burma – not his real name)
To contact Avaaz email  info@avaaz.org or send postal mail to 260 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001 U.S.A.
See this report and more, along with pictures and videos, at
 http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_report_back/6.php
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