The humanitarian work in Burma is becoming increasingly challenging as further restrictions have been put on international and local organizations the last year. The junta´s mismanagement and lack of respect for human rights have caused the difficult situation for the Burmese people. The Norwegian Burma Committee invites you to listen to Charles Petrie, right, from the United Nations Development Programme and Richard Horsey from the International Labour Organisation in Rangoon views on and visions for Burma. (02-MAY-07)
This text is based on the invitation sent out by the Norwegian Burma Committee. It has been edited by HRHF / Nina Luhr. Photos of Petrie and Horsey: The Norwegian Burma Committee. 
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the tripartite UN agency which brings together governments, employers and workers of its member states in common action to promote decent work throughout the world. Richard Horsey, left, is ILO´s Liaison Officer to Burma. Charles Petrie is UN´s Humanitarian Coordinator in Burma and will give us an account on the humanitarian situation which is defined by increasing impoverishment and the growing inability of social service structures to address the essential needs of the population. They both have many years experience from working with humanitarian aid and human rights respectively in Burma. For short biographies you can see here.
Ethnic minorities particularly vulnerable
ILO´s mandate in Burma is elimination of forced labour in the country, which is one of the many human rights violations the junta is infamous for. An important and necessary part of this work is to protect persons making reports about forced labour. In spite of previous agreements between ILO and the junta, people have been put in prison for this. There have been many obstacles to ILO’s work in Burma, but 26 February 2007, ILO and the junta concluded an agreement designed to provide a mechanism to enable victims of forced labour to seek redress. The ethnic minority groups are especially vulnerable.
The Norwegian Burma Committee invites you to an open meeting on Burma
Thursday 3 May 16.30 – 19.00 at the Human Rights House in Tordenskioldsgate 6B, Oslo.
Please feel free to forward the Invitation to meeting about Burma
If you want to come to this meeting, please send a message to: info@burma.no
