Myanmar activists condemn President Thein Sein visit in Australia

Photo: ABC

About 100 people in Sydney Australia have assembled outside the Department of Foreign Affairs offices addressing the federal government to stand firm on the issue against reported human rights abuses in Myanmar, AAP news reported.

The protest incident occurred during the official visit of President Thein Sein to Sydney a day after he met Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Canberra.

The Prime Minister disclosed that an amount of $20 million two-year aid program will be provided in Myanmar in support for the reforms the government is undertaking as well as assigning a resident defence attache and a trade commissioner in Yangon. She further added that there is a lot of work to do in terms of national reconciliation and human rights improvement.

However, Burma Campaign Australia coordinator Zetty Brake said that the people of Myanmar is losing hope from the federal government since they are more focused on sending defence attaché to Burma instead of encouraging President Thein Sein to completely work on reported human rights' abuses and violations and stop the hostilities in his country, said news report from AAP.

According to Mr Brake, there were 250,000 people who were relocated and were forced to leave their homes because of fear for their lives and safety since the conflict and hostilities in various regions continuously occur since The President took power.

Original source: http://www.betweenonline.com/2013/03/19/myanmar-activists-condemn-president-thein-sein-visit-in-australia/