In line with the celebration of the Valentine’s Day, Filipino activists today launched their own version of “Lovapalooza” infront of the Burma embassy in Makati City. But this time the Burma activists are not kissing their loved ones but photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the most prominent political prisoner of Burma.
In line with the celebration of the Valentine’s Day, Filipino activists today launched their own version of “Lovapalooza” infront of the Burma embassy in Makati City. But this time the Burma activists are not kissing their loved ones but photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the most prominent political prisoner of Burma.
Bringing with them heart-shaped red baloons and placards, members of the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines and Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) reiterated their demand to free Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma who is still under house arrest despite international pressures. FBC-Phils and APSOC also said that the UN Security Council should now act immediately because of the deteriorating political and social conditions in Burma, officially called Myanmar.
Where is the love?
The groups also surrounded the embassy with “red roses” which according to them symbolizes their love for democracy and justice which are clearly absent in Burma for the past four decades. One of the protesters is holding a placard with a slogan: Where is the Love in Burma? obviously derived from the popular song Where is the Love of the band Black Eyed Peas. The band also joined to call for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release through a concert in Thailand last year.
Some leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and UN undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari have already echoed support for Suu Kyi’s immediate release. The junta chose to play deaf on the demand.
Double-veto of China and Russia
Last 12 January , on 9-3 vote with three abstentions, the UN Security Council rejected a non-punitive resolution seeking to press the Government of Myanmar to speed up democratic reforms. Despite having the requisite nine votes required for the resolution to be adopted, it failed because of a double-veto by permanent Council members China and Russia. South Africa joined the double-veto.
“It’s Valentine’s Day. We just hope that Cupid’s arrows will hit the hearts of the Chinese, Russian and South African governments for them to realize that supporting the illegal regime of Burma is not at all worth it. They should reconsider their position and to take side with the peoples of Burma,” Egoy Bans, FBC-Philippines spokesperson said.
“The double-veto of China and Russia is an open endorsement of military rule in Burma. This double-veto is like signing the death warrant of the already suffering peoples of Burma. It’s sad that number game reigns over the supposed democratic aspirations inside UN Security Council that brags to protect the world from any threats,” Bans stressed.
Bans also added that the Burmese regime is still in power because of the support of a few powerful states like China and Russia. China is the biggest supporter of Burma. Other states, because they cannot afford to severe economic ties with China, have decided to remain silent on the Burma question.
Continuing abuse against women in Burma
The group also slammed the continuing military offensive in Karen State Burma that has already displaced more than 20,000 people. In a report launched yesterday by the Karen Women’s Organization, evidence of widespread terror tactics being employed by the military regime’s troops against women across Burma’s Karen State was very graphic.
The report documents over 4,000 cases of abuse. These include rape, murder, torture and forced labour, mainly over the past few years in over 190 villages perpetrated by troops from over 40 Burmese Army battalions.
FBC-Philippines said the 44 years of military rule simply has made the Burmese regime more brutal. The junta resists international pressure and is more concerned to maintain its hold on to power than to serve its impoverished population largely because of continued support from China and Russia. Bringing Burma in the UNSC is a major and crucial step to
jump start genuine democratic reforms in that country, the group explained.
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