Rights and Democracy campaign denounces forced labour in Burma

A media campaign against forced labour in Burma was launched by Rights and Democracy on the occasion of the presentation of the 2006 John Humphrey Freedom Award to human rights advocate, Su Su Nway of Burma.

Su Su Nway

Su Su Nway, 34, came to the world's attention in 2005 for her inspiring efforts to see the junta's representatives in her village brought to justice for forcing her and her neighbours to repair a road without pay. Conscious of the dangers inherent to confronting Burma's military authorities, Su Su Nway's determination paid off last year when a judge sentenced the village Chairman and a deputy to eight months in prison under an untested law passed in 1999 that bans forced labour.

The verdict was the first ever against the military regime's long-standing practice of forced labour. Su Su Nway's legal victory was short lived, when a few months later she was charged with defamation of the village's replacement Chairman. She was sentenced to 18-months in prison in October 2005. Su Su Nway, who suffers from a heart condition, endured nine months in Insein before authorities finally bowed to international pressure and released her on June 6, 2006.

Su Su Nway's defiant struggle for human rights and dignity has made her a symbol of resilience and courage to the people of Burma, who now honour her with the title, "Courageous Su Su Nway."

While the laureate was unable to travel to Canada to accept her award, Rights & Democracy also launched a national campaign with ads in 14 newspapers across the country to help end the use of forced labour practices in Burma. The campaign was supported by the Canadian Auto Workers Union, Confédération des syndicats nationaux, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, Public Service Alliance of Canada, and the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The SJF committed $1,500 to the campaign and received a matching grant from the AEC in order to provide Rights and Democracy with a $3,000 contribution. 

SJF funding $3,000    December 2006