Dignity and Fortitude Behind the Iron Curtain

“It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.”
- Aung San Suu Kyi

No work of fiction could come as close to striking a chord within us as the stories recounted by those who experienced it first hand, their tales featured in this series of documentaries constituting human rights violations, land grabs, foreign and domestic government and corporatist corruption, genocide, and environmental abuse. On the cusp of Burma’s by-election on April 1, Taiwan has not forgotten – we turn the spotlight again on Burma to understand her peoples’ dignity and unwavering fortitude under the brute force of oppression.

At the conclusion of each evening screening special guest speakers will lead discussion panels and deepen our knowledge on human rights. Let us armed ourselves with this knowledge and guide ourselves towards a better future for all!

Four films in rotation will be:
Burma’s Secret War: http://youtu.be/xyrcZkHK4aE
Total Denial: http://youtu.be/2Xb4eZZwKGE
Burma VJ: http://youtu.be/V08EBWQLzyU
This Prison Where I Live: http://youtu.be/s59KpLA0dvU

For the schedule and description of the films showing please download our PDF here.

For more info or schedule please head to our Facebook event here
https://www.facebook.com/events/336846016367617/

Locations
3/19-21 at Insomnia Café No. 8, Lane 60, TaiShun Street near Taipower MRT Station Exit 3 TEL : 02 23640002
http://goo.gl/lYzTM

3/22-24 at Café Philo No. 3 ShaoXing North Road near Shandao Temple MRT Station Exit 6 TEL : 02 33221096
http://goo.gl/oiODY

If you can’t make it to the film festival, we still strongly urge you to learn about the history of Burma and you can still take action by writing a letter! Click here to download the case of Khun Kawrio.

The official Event Invitation from the Chairman of Amnesty International Taiwan, Freddy Lim, who is also the front man of the admirable Taiwanese Metal band Chthonic.

[EVENT INVITATION]

SPECIAL EVENING: “The Lady” – The Dignity and Strength Behind the Iron Curtain

Dear friends,
Taiwan is still rallying for Burma!

The Burmese government’s treatment of dissidents—including arrest, detention, torture, and assassination—reminds us of the shadow cast over Taiwan during the martial law period. For the Burmese people, though, this is a daily nightmare. Burma’s natural environment is also suffering as a result of the government’s cooperation with foreign investors, whose unethical development projects exploit and destroy the land on which so many Burmese depend. This has led to cases of both forced labour and forced relocation; violations of ecosystems, land and local peoples’ rights.

Following a global campaign in which Amnesty International and its supporters played a key role, last year good news began to emerge from Burma. At the end of 2010, Aung Saan Suu Kyi was released. This January, it was announced that the two Burmese prisoners of conscience, Mie Mie and Khun Bedu (who were the subject of AI Taiwan’s “Taiwan Will Not Forget” chapter and the Asia-Pacific chapters) have been released. We’ve been reminded that when it comes to letter-writing campaigns, the pen really is mightier than the sword.

Although there are glimpses of reform, the human rights of Burmese people continue to be violated, and there are still 600 prisoners of conscience waiting for release. Burma clearly still has a long way to go.

And so, AI Taiwan is organizing a special evening, with a screening of “The Lady” (director Luc Besson) on the eve of its general release in cinemas. Supporters and members of AI Taiwan can be first to see this film, which tells the story of Nobel Peace Prizewinner Aung San Suu Kyi’s remarkable life. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Amnesty International, helping to fund future Urgent Appeals.

On behalf of Amnesty International Taiwan, I ask you to join us on March 14th to witness the courage of the Burmese people, and join our campaign to promote the dignity and rights of all Burmese citizens.

Thank you,
Freddy Lim (Chairman of Amnesty International Taiwan)