Burmese aim for sanctions with vigil

The local Burmese community is hoping a candlelight protest this week will urge Prime Minister John Key to push for extended sanctions against Myanmar and keep up the pressure on the junta in the midst of its showdown with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"In silence, we will be saying our own prayers in the hope that world leaders will be the voice of the Burmese people who lost our voice to the military regime," said Naing Ko Ko, spokesman for Burma Campaign New Zealand, an activist group opposed to the junta.

The vigil-protest at Auckland University will also be held in support of Ms Suu Kyi, Myanmar's pro-democracy icon, who is defending herself against new charges by the military junta that have triggered condemnation from countries around the world, including New Zealand.

President Barack Obama last week formally extended US sanctions against Myanmar and Mr Naing wants New Zealand to do the same.

Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won a landslide election victory in 1990 only to be denied power by the military, which has ruled Burma since 1962.

Mr Naing is today seeking permission from Auckland University to hold the vigil there.