China and India must act against Burmese Junta

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 6th Oct 2007

Burmese flag

Ahead of tomorrow's Global Day of Action for Burma, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Michael Moore MP, has written to the Chinese and Indian governments to demand tougher action against the Burmese junta. A UN envoy has told the Security Council that there are continuing and disturbing reports of human rights abuses in Burma. Ibrahim Gambari was speaking after a four-day visit to Burma.

Michael Moore said "These protests in London and across the globe highlight the world's disgust at the actions of the junta and the continued impotence of the international community in the face of its barbarity. As Burma's biggest neighbours and trading partners, the role of China and India in bringing pressure to bear on the junta is crucial and the world is looking to them for action. The Security Council must show decisive leadership. Those who have been shielding the junta from international censure, particularly Russia, must stop obstructing. The UK and the EU must put their own sanctions regimes in order."