The statement published below was released by Burma Campaign Australia on February 9.
Burma Campaign Australia condemns the Australian government's decision to take part in a regional military exercise that includes Burma's navy and questions if Australia is in breach of its arms embargo.
The Australian navy is taking part in a military exercise with 13 other countries in Indian waters. Burma's navy, an integral part of the country's military, is also participating in this exercise.
Burma Campaign Australia's spokesperson Zetty Brake said: "Less than one year ago, the Australian government announced its support of a global arms embargo against Burma, and now we are participating in exercises that includes a part of Burma's military.
"Australia has a long-standing arms embargo against Burma's military dictatorship — we would not sell them weapons, so why does the Australian government think that it is acceptable to participate in military exercises with them?
"DFAT has previously said Australia does not provide any training to Burmese military personnel. Given these military exercises, we question if Australia is in breach of its arms embargo."
The countries involved in the navy exercises are Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
The exercises cover a range of issues such as piracy, terrorism and disaster relief. Brake said the military dictatorship is the biggest disaster in Burma.
"The military attacks innocent civilians destroying entire villages, systematically violates human rights, imprisoned Burmese citizens providing aid following Cyclone Nargis and stops life saving humanitarian aid from reaching people in eastern Burma.
"The military dictatorship will never allow Burma's navy to use the skills gained from these exercises to help the people of Burma and Australia would be naive, at best, to believe that.
"Yesterday, foreign minister Stephen Smith talked about sending a confusing signal to Burma's military dictatorship. What message is Australia's participation in these military exercises sending to Burma's millions of oppressed men, women and children?"