Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB)

CFOB is a federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma since 1991. Our primary objectives are to raise awareness about political and economic conditons in Burma. During ongoing reform process in Burma, Our focus will be more emphasized on peace, development and capacity-building of civil society organizations inside the country.

Please support CFOB’s work and join in force. Download the membership form.

Canadian MPs meet Aung San Suu Kyi

A 14-member Canadian Parliamentary delegation was in Burma from Feb. 16 to 22, 2013. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade released some photos including the one above – the group meeting one of the world’s most famous women, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Front row, left to right: Costas Menegakis( MP); David Christopherson(MP); Stella Ambler (MP); Deepak Obhrai (MP and and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs); Aung San Suu Kyi;  Wayne Marston ( MP); Jocelyne Therrien (Senior Principal, Parliamentary and International Relations, Office of the Auditor General of Canada)

Second row: Unknown (Christopherson in the way!); Bob Richardson (political adviser to the Liberal Party of Canada); John McKay (MP), unknown, unknown.

Third row: Yaroslav Baran(political adviser to the Conservative Party of Canada); Ivo Balinov (Director, Parliamentary Centre); unknown, unknown; Anne McGrath (political adviser to the New Democratic Party of Canada)

Source: David Akin, National Bureau Chief, Sun Media – Photo: DFAIT

Latest news: Burma/Myanmar delegation expected in Canada – read the Embassy Magazine’s news report

Annual Reports: Accomplisments and Challenges

Please see annual reports including the lastest 2012:

2012 Annual Report

2011 Annual Report

2010 Annual Report

2009 Annual Report

2008 Annual Report

2006 Annual Report

2005 Annual Report

National Consultation/General Members Meeting

On Dec. 15, 2012, CFOB facilitated a multi-sited Consultation and a General Members Meeting to seek guidance from the membership at large. See the statement! The General Membership democratically acclaimed a board of directors to serve a 2 year term. See details of a Board of Directors here.

CFOB in Crisis resulted from policy dispute

• Dec. 12, 2012 – News Article: Friends of Burma head says he may step down. Read here!
• Dec. 07, 2012 – Join Statement: Burmese CVOs supporting CFOB. Read here!
• Nov. 21, 2012 – News Article: Conflict in [Burma] breeds homegrown turmoil in Friends of Burma group. Read here!
• Oct. 12, 2012 – Action Alert! CFOB is under enormous pressure. Read here!
• July 18, 2012 – Clarification: CFOB Executive Director on recent communal conflict in western Burma – read here!

Activity Update:

• CFOB Policy Statement -‘Navigating the thaw: Burma-Canada Relations 2012 and beyond’- Read online or download PDF
• Kachin Advocacy Work in Canada – more
• Press Conference of Parliamentary findings on human rights situation in Burma – Watch video here
• Parliamentary hearings: Tin Maung Htoo (CFOB) and Aung Din (USCB)
• Special Publication on 20th Anniversary of CFOB, download – here

News Update:

• Asian Correspondent: Canada stands by to support Burma’s democratic reform –More
• Open Letter on Doing Business in Burma by Ministers Fast and Baird – More
• iPolitics: Burmese government takes former NDP leader McDonough off travel blacklist – More
• Irrawaddy: Burmese in Toronto Protest Media ‘Misinformation Campaign’ – More
• Mizzima: Burmese natives demonstrate in Toronto – More
• Toronto Star: Pro-Rohingya rally urges Ottawa to help end persecution in Burma – More
• Minister Jason Kenney made Burmese community surprised with a special announcement – More
• Parliamentary Testimony with CFOB on Canada-Burma relations and policy – More
• Canada Marks Democratic Milestone in Burma – Minister John Baird’s statement – More
• Canada Suspends Economic Sanctions Aganist Burma – More
• Minister Baird Makes Statement on Burma’s By-elections – More
• Statement by Liberal Leader Bob Rae on Aung San Suu Kyi’s By-election Victory in Burma – More
• Statement by New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic on historic elections in Myanmar – More
• Canada Sends Witnesses to Burmese By-Elections – More
• Corruption Scandal in Burma: The Canadian Connection – More
• John Baird offers Burma democracy leader Suu Kyi honourary Canadian citizenship – More
• Complete video coverage of the 20th Anniversary of CFOB, see below

Foreign Minister’s visit to Burma

• CBC: Baird makes landmark visit to Burma
  "Minister Baird will go to Burma to reaffirm the importance of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. While we’re not at a point of lifting sanctions, we want to make sure advances made are not reversible," the official said. More

• Postmedia: John Baird to meet Aung San Suu Kyi on historic visit
  "Canadian Friends of Burma executive director Tin Maung Htoo said Baird should ask Myanmar’s leaders to release 500 political prisoners currently in custody, declare a nationwide ceasefire, and repeal laws used to oppress democracy activists." More

• CTV News Channel: What will the visit mean?
  "Tin Maung Htoo with Canadian Friends of Burma says the visit by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will further encourage the ongoing political reform in the country." More

20th Anniversary of Canadian Friends of Burma

• Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) celebrated its 20th  anniversary on February 29th , 2012 in Ottawa. The day began with a mass seminar at Carleton University with a live video conversation with Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and wrapped up with a celebration at the National Arts Centre (NAC). Speeches of Minister Jason Kenney and MP Olivia Chow can be watched here

Current Campaigns and Actions

• Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is investing in many companies that are connected to Burma. We are especially concerned with some companies investing in Shwe Gas and China-Burma Pipeline Project due to serious concerns about human rights abuses connected to the development of the project. Take action!
• Urge your MPs and Senators to join the Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFOB) – re-launching the parliamentary friendship group is now underway. Please urge your MPs and Senators to join PFOB. CFOB has been working with MPs and Senators from all political parties in Canada since 1990s. Please download the info sheet here.
• Join the call for the release of ALL political prisoners in Burma. More than 500-600 political prisoners still remian in prison! We can’t forget that many of the unjust laws which saw these people imprisoned are still in effect, and those released over the past few months could be jailed again at any time as there is still not a truly democratic system in place in Burma. Campaign postcard can be downloaded here or sign online petition

Statements by the Government of Canada

• March 8, 2012 (DFAIT) Statement by Minister Baird on historic visit to Burma
• Jan. 13, 2012 (DFAIT) Statement by Minister Baird on Burmese Political Prisoner Release
• Oct. 13, 2011 (DFAIT) Statement by Minister Baird on Situation in Burma
• Jan. 28, 2011 (DFAIT) Canada Disappointed by Dismissal of National League for Democracy Appeal
• Dec. 27, 2010 (PMO) Canada to invite Burmese democracy leader to Canada
• Nov. 30, 2010 (CIDA) Canada supports families impacted by Cyclone Giri in Burma
• Nov. 13, 2010 (PMO) Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi
• Nov.8, 2010 (DFAIT) Minister Cannon Expresses Concern over Burmese Elections
• Nov. 5, 2010 (DFAIT) Statement by Minister Cannon on Upcoming Elections in Burma
• Sept. 16, 2010 (DFAIT) Canada Concerned by Dissolution of Political Parties in Burma
• Aug. 14, 2010 (DFAIT) Canada responds to release of election date in Burma
• March 11, 2010 (DFAIT) Canada Deeply Concerned by Burmese Election Laws
• March 6, 2010 (CIDA) Canada Renews Support for Burmese Refugees and Displaced People
• Feb. 26, 2010 (DFAIT) Canada Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal

Ambassador Presenting Honours to Suu Kyi

Canadian Ambassador Ron Hoffmann presenting Carleton University’s honorary doctorate degree to Aung San Suu Kyi. He also presented another doctorate degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Photos Slideshow

Côte Saint-Luc honours Aung San Suu Kyi

• Video message from Aung San Suu Kyi – click here
• The ceremony proceeding video – click here
• Event Photos Slideshow – click here

A ceremony unveiling a plaque in honour of Aung San Suu Kyi in Côte Saint-Luc City on Canada Day – July 1st 2011. Photos: Kyaw Zwa/CFOB

Carleton University honours Suu Kyi

• Video Message of Aung San Suu Kyi – click here
• Statement of Carleton University – click here

Awarding ceremony for Aung Sun Suu Kyi – Former Canadian Foreign Minister Flora MacDonald giving a key note speech on Feb. 22, 2011 – Photo Credit: Carleton University

Related News:

• Canadian University Honors Suu Kyi – Irrawaddy
• Carleton gives honorary degree – Metro Ottawa
• Commentary of Clarleton University Presidetn ‘On the edge of history’ – Ottawa Citizen

A historic moment for Burma and Canada

 

Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets Burma’s Prime Minister in exile Dr. Sein Win on May 7, 2008.

Read News

Honorary Canadian Citizenship to Aung San Suu Kyi

Canada presented the Honorary Canadian Citizenship to Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on May 5, 2008.

Learn more and Read related news

Aung San Suu Kyi’s message to Canada

“I deeply appreciate the award of Honorary Canadian Citizenship. Canada has never faltered in its support for the democracy movement in Burma for which I am very grateful.”

 

“I have always felt a particular closeness to Canada because of my French-Canadian mother-in-law who was always proud to be Canadian and always kept her Canadian passport through living in England for over 60 years.

"I look forward very much to the day that conditions in Burma will allow me to be free to visit Canada myself and thank the Canadian people in person. Thank you very much.”

Canada imposed ‘toughest’ economic sanctions towards Burma

The new sanctions include:

• ban all goods exported from Canada to Burma, except humanitarian goods
• ban all goods imported from Burma into Canada
• Freeze assets of any designated Burmese connected with the Burmese State
• Prohibit the provision of Canadian financial services to and from Burma
• prohibit the export of any technical data to Burma
• ban new investment in Burma by Canadian persons and companies
• prohibit Canadian-registered ships and aircraft from docking or landing in Burma
• prohibit Burmese-registered ships or aircraft from docking or landing in Canada or passing through Canada

See more detailed measure on government document, Canada Gazette

Read related news

Canada-Burma relations

If you want to know more about Canada-Burma relations click here…

If you want to know about an historic Burma Motion passed in Canadian Parliament click here…

Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) founded in 1991 is a federally incorporated non-profit organization working for the establishment of democracy and human rights in Burma.CFOB’s committments include:

• monitoring Canada’s relations with Burma
• raising awareness in Canada about the political and social-economic situation in Burma
• encouraging the federal government, organizations and citizens to pressure the Burmese government to restore democracy, and respect human rights.
• working closely with Burmese exiles, democratic movements and human rights organizations in Canada and around the world.