Behind The Barcode

Dear [mpname],

I am writing as a concerned member of your electorate, hoping you can pass my concerns on to our leaders.

On behalf of Australian Baptist Ministries, and Myanmar’s significant diaspora that belongs to the Baptist church in Australia (10K + people) we thank the Federal Government for responding to our, and others request for additional sanctions linked to Myanmar’s military junta–most significantly the two main financial organisations largely responsible for allowing the junta to conduct business.

However, as you are no doubt aware, the people of Myanmar continue to be terrorized by the military junta. Their struggle to see a democratically elected government installed as a truly representative administration of and for their country continues.

That is why we continue to advocate for our brothers and sisters in and from Myanmar. We join them in seeking what is a basic human right–the ability to live with freedom. As such, we urge the Australian Government to use all available means at their disposal to:

• In partnership with ASEAN nations, take all available opportunities and necessary steps to bring an end to the atrocities being committed by the military junta against Myanmar’s own people, rejecting the junta’s claims for legitimacy, and excluding their members from any involvement in official engagements.
• Publicly condemn the ‘People’s Military Service Law’ (conscription) that is seeing young people forced into military service for the junta, increasing access to visa assistance in Australia for those vulnerable to this law’s enforcement, in addition to increasing funding for humanitarian aid to Australian NGOs working in Myanmar.
• Further impose targeted sanctions on organisations and industries that supply arms, equipment, and financial capability to the military junta, including:
  • Oil, gas, mining and logging
  • Gemstones and precious metals
  • Aviation fuel supply chain
  • Banking and finance

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

[first_name]