ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

by Solomon | New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burmese activists based in Canada and their supporters have called on the Canadian government to assign a special representative to pressure Burma's military regime to implement reforms.

At least 10 Burmese organisations in Canada and their supporters including the Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFB), Burma Watch International (BWI), and Canadian Friends of Burma (CFB) in a joint letter on Friday urged the Canadian Prime Minister to appoint an envoy to Burma.

"With this special envoy, we hope the Canadian government can do more for democratic reforms in Burma," said Kyaw Zaw Wei, spokesman of the groups.

He said, with the Canadian government being supportive of democratic reforms in Burma, it should have a special envoy, who will be able to work together with other envoys, including from the United Nations, United States and European Union to mount pressure on Burma's ruling generals.

Canada has long condemned Burma's military junta for failing to keep its promise to implement changes, and had supported the pro-democracy movement. As a gesture of solidarity towards Burmese refugees, who fled from military persecution in Burma to neighbouring Thailand and India, Canada has accepted thousands of refugees into the country.

The activists also urged Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General to personally pay a fresh visit to Burma and pressure the ruling junta to release political prisoners, a call that has been made earlier by over 110 former world leaders.

Ban, in response to the world leader's call, has said that he does not find it necessary to visit Burma as there are no signs of change in the country.