Much has been reported about Burmese junta’s continuous restriction to the free entry of humanitarian aid and aid workers in Burma that hit the country weeks ago. The international community, the United Nations, other international agencies including ordinary observers from different parts of the world has one thing to say—this is grossly unacceptable.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Much has been reported about Burmese junta’s continuous restriction to the free entry of humanitarian aid and aid workers in Burma that hit the country weeks ago. The international community, the United Nations, other international agencies including ordinary observers from different parts of the world has one thing to say—this is grossly unacceptable.
While everybody understands that Cyclone Nargis is a natural disaster, the calamity presented a solid evidence of Burmese junta’s ineptness to govern. Lack of preparedness in times of calamity and slow distribution of relief to the victims have been reported; with more than 10,000 casualties in a single town, victims at risk of flood-born diseases, complaints about inadequate food supply, medicine and clean water.
Worse, the junta instead of making itself busy attending the needs of the cyclone victims, spent more time fullfilling all the requirements for their so-called national referendum. Despite international protests pushing for the postponement of the national referendum, the junta still pursued the sham May poll. And the result? High-voters turn out with 92.4 % voting YES in favor of Burma’s constitution according to the junta’s state-owned media.
But the international community advocating for the return of democracy in Burma could not feel even a pinch of discouragement knowing the result of the referendum. We already expected and predicted that the junta will grease all its cheating machineries just to enshrine itself in power through the referendum. Who would believe the junta anyway? The referendum result, without exaggeration, is as incredible as the junta itself; conducting the referendum in the midst of calamity situation.
No less than UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, had urged the junta to focus on the cyclone relief effort instead of using the nation’s scant resources to hold the poll. But the regime acted like a vulture preying on a dying population by still setting up voting booths close to makeshift camps for the homeless, while denying access by international aid workers to deliver supplies to disaster-stricken areas.
Balloting indicates a healthy democracy. But in Burma, the referendum is being employed to legitimize military dictatorship and instill in the minds of the people that democracy can be maneuvered.
Now the junta created another calamity—a constitution that could have long-term effects in the future generation of Burma. And this must be taken seriously. The junta is already insulting not just the people of Burma but the entire world. It is insulting democracy. By stating the referendum result, the junta is sending a message that dictatorship is a good substitute to democracy. Should we allow it? Should the ASEAN leadership and United Nations permit it? The ASEAN and the UN should immediately act now. They should instantly reject the result of the referendum and force the junta to make a clear time-table for reforms and prioritize relief efforts.
Egoy Bans
Spokesperson, Free Burma Coalition-Philippines (FBC-Philippines)
#15 Door 15 Casal Bldg. Anonas St. Quezon City
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