Burma: is there anything we can do?

Reuters/Stringer. More pictures here.

There is something incredibly moving about watching unarmed protesters defying the iron might of an oppressive state – and incredibly sad about our impotence when we watch them being attacked, beaten up and murdered.

Is there anything we can do?

Here is the trade union response:

The ITUC [International Trades Union Congress] is deeply concerned at the spiraling violence resulting from the regime’s intolerance of any dissent or opposition, and is convinced that now more than ever, the ruling junta must be placed under the maximum possible international pressure, including economic sanctions against the junta. These should cover the key sectors including timber, energy and mining.

Somehow, that’s just not very satisfying. If the best we can do is ask our bosses to stop doing business with Burma, then it really is evidence of our weakness as a movement. But are there any other options?

Timothy Garton Ash in The Guardian’s Comment is Free thinks it’s India and China’s responsibility. He writes a very moving piece, and speaks of the power and moral authority of a movement lead by monks.

I have before me a joint statement from the All Burma Monks Alliance and the 88 Generation Students group which begins with a remarkable sentence: “The entire people led by monks are staging a peaceful protest to be freed from the general crises of politics, economics and society by reciting the Metta Sutra.” The Metta Sutra reflects on the Buddhist virtue of metta, or unconditional love and kindness. (“This is what should be done/By one who is skilled in goodness,/And who knows the paths of peace.”) One demo banner read: “Love and kindness must win over all”.

Despite this, he doesn’t think there’s much we can do to help. Of course we should use every opportunity to isolate the junta – but it doesn’t save lives now.

Our governments, having bloodied themselves in senseless and illegal wars, hardly have the moral authority to be making demands of any one else.

Anyone have a better idea? I’d want to send them my love, regards and best wishes, but I am sure they need something more concrete than that.