TIME FOR ACTION OVER BURMA

MERCURY MAILBOX: TIME FOR ACTION OVER BURMA

10:30 - 27 October 2007

Who can forget the blood-soaked images of Burma? Thousands of monks filling the streets of Rangoon in peaceful protest opposing a regime where child soldiers, torture and detention without trial are all commonplace.

The reaction from the Burmese government was brutal. The police and military admitted to killing 10 and arresting 2,000 - independent groups suggest both figures are far higher.

We in Britain take the right to peaceful protest for granted.

On October 24, the United Nations celebrated UN Day and on the same day, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League of Democracy in Burma, completed her 12th year under house arrest. To mark the milestone, Amnesty International named the day in her honour and has called on the UN to implement an arms embargo on Burma. If the UN really wants to be proud of itself, then it has to deliver.

I will be urging the Foreign Office to maintain as much pressure as they can on the Security Council to ensure that the embargo becomes a reality.

But we can all make a difference. At the end of 2006, Amnesty International was aware of 1,185 prisoner of conscience in Burma.

The website of the human rights' organisation has addresses of key Burmese officials you can write to to call for the release of all prisoners of conscience.

A flood of mail or e-mails can make a difference. It says to the Burmese authorities that the eyes of the world are watching.

David Taylor, MP for North West Leicestershire.