More than 100 people arrested and detained, with fear of being tortured, 500% arbitrary increase in diesel and gasoline prices and a military government that is either unable or unwilling to reform, a dreadful human rights environment—this is the sorry state of Burma today.
More than 100 people arrested and detained, with fear of being tortured, 500% arbitrary increase in diesel and gasoline prices and a military government that is either unable or unwilling to reform, a dreadful human rights environment—this is the sorry state of Burma today.
The rare wave of protests inside Burma against the draconian fuel price hike started August 23 in a quiet march of about 40 demonstrators led by members of the opposition National League for Democracy. They were blocked by pro-junta thugs of the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) in Rangoon’s Bahan Township and were then beaten up using bamboo sticks. About 30 people of this motley but brave group were arrested. The demonstration against fuel prices rippled to other cities and townships after this day.
As of this writing, the military junta of Burma is “too pre-occupied” on how to supress all protest actions and hunt down those who oppose the price hike instead of initiating a dialogue to explain the fuel price hike. As usual, the junta is employing its brute force and hired thugs to intimidate anyone who opposes them. Compromises and dialogue are not among the virtues the generals in Burma possess. What prevails in Burma is the rule of the jungle: Might makes right.
What is sadder is the fact that, for years, the United Nations and the ASEAN have never done anything to quell the situation apart from issuing their usual feeble rhetoric of calling on “all parties to exercise restraint” . They are fond of issuing mild statements everytime there is a crisis in Burma and skirt the roots of the problem. In most of their press releases, they simply express “disappointment”, “disgust”, which the generals in Burma simply ignore. In the end, the generals can simply get away with anything because those who are supposed to do – and can do – something are not doing enough.
UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, on Thursday urged the Burmese junta to exercise restraint and called for a “constructive dialogue” with pro-democracy supporters. The secretary-general needs to go beyond calls on the authorities to exercise maximum restraint in responding to any demonstrations and encourages all parties to avoid any provocative action.
For the nth time, the UN is issuing a statement like this on Burma as if it is unaware that a UNSC resolution on Burma is a pending matter to unravel. The inclusion of Burma in the formal agenda of the UNSC failed last year because China and Russia vetoed the resolution along with South Africa. The undemocratic “numbers game” in the UNSC reigns over the desire of the international community to see concrete reforms in Burma.
Now who is to be blamed? Where is China’s voice- the avowed champion of oppressed peoples- the number 1 supporter of Burma, in all these arrests happening in that territory? Where is the ASEAN which wants to build a caring and sharing community?
This new political upheaval in Burma augurs well for Burma’s eventual liberation and the world must not be silent as it did with Darfur. Surely, change is about to unravel in Burma and it can be hastened if those who are supposed to act wake up from their deep slumber.
Egoy Bans
Spokesperson
Free Burma Coalition-Philippines
#15 Door 15 Casal Bldg.
Anonas Road, Quezon City
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