Aliran Media Statement
Burma's Dictators Not Serious About Reform
Aung San Suu Kyi was said to have received cuts to her face and shoulder during clashes between her supporters and government-linked thugs. The military government said four people were killed in last week's clashes, but the death toll was horrendous and, according to eyewitnesses, more than 60 people died in the incident.
Burma observers say the violence was actually carefully planned to disrupt the activities of the democracy movement and provide a pretext for a nationwide crackdown on its leaders following the tremendous support she generated. The regime also detained seven leaders of Suu Kyi's party, the NLD, shut down the party headquarters and closed colleges indefinitely.
These measures indicate the dictators in Burma have never been serious about reform. We find it difficult to understand how the UN Special Envoy Razali Ismail is going to tackle the obviously recalcitrant Burmese junta during his trip to Burma this month - the tenth he has undertaken so far under UN auspices. It is obvious that Razali has not only misread the junta but that he hasn't a clue as to how to deal with the junta let alone how to make them keep their promises. Is the Special Envoy's inability to understand and thus predict the junta's mindset and actions the basis for further UN-junta talks? If so, the UN's approach is indeed on very shaky ground.
As for ASEAN's constructive engagement policy with Burma, it is a sham. If anything, ASEAN has only discredited itself by admitting an unethical and illegitimate government into its ranks. And for what? Profits for ASEAN companies even as the citizens of Burma bleed?
Instead of toadying up to the Burmese junta and defending their actions as being beyond ASEAN reproach yet again, it is time ASEAN took itself and its international human rights responsibilities seriously. And so too the UN Secretary-General. It is time substantive sanctions were imposed once and for all upon the junta to end their brutal and illegitimate rule in Burma.
Aliran Executive Committee
This statement was sent to the local media including The Star, New Straits Times, and The Sun.
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