Support Breasts, Not Dictators

The country of Burma is rich in natural resources and home to people of many different cultures. Since 1962 Burma has been under military dictatorship. The 45 million people of Burma suffer under one of the world's most brutal and oppressive regimes - living without protection of their human rights and in extreme poverty.

Reports by the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other groups have repeatedly detailed a gruesome litany of abuses, including torture, rape, detention without trial, massive forced relocations, and forced labour. Amnesty International reports that torture and ill-treatment have become institutionalised in Myanmar (Burma), where police and the military regularly ill-treat political prisoners, criminals and members of ethnic minorities. Free Trade unions are not permitted.

In such an environment is it possible to conduct business ethically? Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratic opposition leader, requests that transnational companies withdraw their business and investments until justice, democracy, freedom and human rights are restored to Burma.

It is generally recognised that business in Burma can only be done by collaborating with the military regime. This gives them legitimacy and financial support.

The Fair Wear campaign recently targeted Triumph International (a Swiss based lingerie company) who have been manufacturing bras in Burma. These bras, labelled 'Made in Myanmar', retailed in Target, Grace Bros and Kmart. Myanmar is the English name given to Burma by the military regime without any public consultation. It has been rejected by Burma's democratic opposition.

Groups around the world have been involved in lobbying Triumph to stop their operations in Burma. This campaign sent a strong message to Triumph: support breasts, not dictators!

For more info on how this campaign progressed, see the accompanying page in the 'global' section of our site.

Given the success of the campaign, it is now perhaps appropriate to write to the company applauding their action in withdrawing their production from Burma. Letters can be written to Triumph International's Australian office or to any of the retailers who were selling these Triumph 'Made in Myanmar' bras (See below for address details).

Letter to Triumph International

Who to write to:

• Mr David Gow
  Managing Director
  Triumph International (Australia) Pty Ltd
  PO Box 527
  Wynnum Central
  Queensland 4178

• Gunther Spiesshofer, President
  Triumph International Head office
  #133 Hoi Bun Road
  7th floor Piazza Building
  Kwun Tong
  Kowloon, Hong Kong

Letter to Target, Grace Bros or Kmart (who used to sell the Made in Myanmar bras)

Who to write to:

• Ms Jackie Wroblewski
  Apparel Manager
  TARGET
  PO Box 41
  North Geelong
  VICTORIA 3215

• Mr Robert Desinan
  Merchandise Manager / Apparel
  KMART - State office (NSW)
  PO Box 209
  Ermington
  NSW 1700

• Ms. Georgina Walker
  National Buyer for Intimate Apparel
  Myer Grace Bros
  3rd Floor, 246 Bourke St
  Melbourne VICTORIA 3000

What's the Australian government doing about the situation in Burma?

The Australian government "neither encourages nor discourages" investment in Burma. They do however have an AusTrade officer based in the Australian embassy in Rangoon. Letters to the Foreign minister could encourage the government to revise their official fence-sitting stance on Burma.

Want to know more about Burma?

Amnesty International's report 'Myanmar, the Institution of Torture' can be seen at www.amnesty.org