BurmaNet News Special Issue

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The BurmaNet News: SPECIAL ISSUE - BURMESE STATEMENTS
	AT UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

Issue#235
September 23, 1995

Noted in Passing:
Violence against girls and women is pervasive under the command of the
 State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC):  rape during military 
offensives against ethnic nationalities and democratic forces; rape of female 
porters, who are forced to serve as human mine sweepers and to carry arms 
and ammunitions for the army; and trafficking of girls and women into 
prostitution. (quoted in STATEMENT BY BURMESE WOMEN UNION 
AND NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL)


Headlines:
========
UN WOMEN'S CONF: STATEMENT BY MAJOR-GENERAL SOE MYINT 
BWU PRESS RELEASE: SLORC CLAIMS WOMEN IN BURMA ENJOY
	 FULL RIGHTS: NO NEED FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS 
UN WOMEN'S CONF: STATEMENT BY BURMESE WOMEN UNION AND 
	NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL
REUTER: PROTEST AT BEIJING WOMEN'S MEET AGAINST RULING 
	BURMESE JUNTA  
**************************
Editor's Note: These statements were only received by the editor yester-
day, so they are just being posted now.  Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi's Statement at the NGO Forum was already posted on September 1
-Issue #212 - so it is not reposted here.

*****************************

UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE: STATEMENT BY MAJOR-GENERAL SOE MYINT 
4-15 September 1995             Beijing 

Statement by H.E. Major-General Soe Myint, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief 
and Resettlement and Leader of the Delegation of the Union of Myanmar to the 
United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women:  Action for Equality, 
Development and Peace

Mme. President,
	Allow me to extend, on behalf of my delegation and on my own, my 
warmest congratulations to you upon your unanimous election as president 
of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women.  My delegation 
firmly believes that your wealth of experience and wisdom will prove invaluable 
in guiding us successfully through the deliberations.
	My delegation would also like to express our deep and sincere appre-
ciation to the People's Republic of China for hosting this historic gathering 
and also for the warm hospitality extended to us all.

Mme. President,
	We have gathered here in Beijing on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary 
of the founding of the United Nations and at the threshhold of a new millenium 
to review our achievements as well as our limitations in the field of the advance 
of women.  In particular, we are here to examine how far we have progressed to 
reach the goals set by the Nairobi-Forward-Looking strategies aimed at Equality,
 Development, and Peace for Women.

Mme. President,
	The United Nations has already held four World Conferences on Women 
including this one.  The year 1975 was designated the International Women's Year, 
and the period 1976-1985 was proclaimed the United Nations Decade for Women.  
In 1979, the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All 
Forms of Discrimination against Women which is a major international legal 
instrument safeguarding women's rights.

Mme. President,
	Though the United Nations has been promoting advancement of women, 
we are of the view that there is still much to be done.  Poverty, unequal access to 
educational opportunites and health services and inequality in sharing responsi-
bilities and decision-making are some of the problems that beset the women today.  
We are gathered here at the Beijing Conference, to adopt a platform for action, 
addressing the (11) critical areas of concern and recommending steps to 
overcome them.  Myanmar is prepared to contribute its share for a successful 
adoption of a draft Platform for Action in solidarity with the international community.

Mme. President,
	May I also take this opportunity to appraise the Conference of the 
status of Myanmar women including some of their efforts in national 
development.  In the world today, women are constantly battling against 
inequality and discrimination.  In this context, I feel proud to say that 
Myanmar women have been bestowed equality with men as an inherent 
right.  Since the inception of Myanmar civilization 2000 years ago, there 
has been historical evidence that Myanmar men and women did enjoy 
equal rights.  Myanmar traditions and customs, Dhammathats, or 
customary law, religious beliefs and practices have all along safeguarded 
the equality of Myanmar women with men in such crucial areas as marriage 
and inheritance.  Women have played distinguished roles in administration 
since the days of Myanmar Kings.  According to royal court practices, the 
coronation ceremony of a Myanmar King would not be complete without 
the presence of his chief Queen.  The death sentence passed by the king can 
be commuted by the request of the queen or princess to whom this privilege 
has been accorded.  Similarly, Myanmar women were in the forefront, together 
with the men, in the struggle for national independence.  In the history of 
Myanmar, many women who were well-versed in literature, law, and religious 
doctrines rendered distinguished services to the country.  In the contemporary 
era, having equal employment opportunities, women educated within the country 
and abroad are also working alongside men in the fields of administration, law, 
judiciary, and medicine.  Evidence shows that based on their own skills and merit, 
these women rise up to the top decisionmaking and management positions.  I 
would like to emphasize here that there exist no barriers in the form of social
 norms or practices that restrain the Myanmar women from playing prominent 
career roles in the Myanmar society.  In Myanmar. Wives have been categorized 
as "wives who are like mothers," and "wives who are like sisters," indicating the 
respect and devotion that men have towards their wives.


Mme. President,
	The 1994-95 population of Myanmar is estimated at 44.74 million, of 
which 22.52 million are womenfolk.  It is imperative that the State should make
 use of the potential of women in national development.  The Government of 
the Union of Myanmar is therefore making far-reaching investments in the 
education of women from all strata of society.  Myanmar statistics reveal
 that women enjoy equal access to education as men.  Similarly, in Myanmar, 
health services for women are targetted to provide life-cycle approach to health 
care for women.

Mme. President,
	The State Law and Order Restoration Council promulgated the 
"Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Law" in 1990.  The
 Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, formed in 1991, has 
been engaged in tasks to help women at the grass roots level achieve 
good health and develop good moral character.  It is also helping women 
at poverty level to achieve economic empowerment through credit facilities 
and income-generating activities.  In the social sphere, the Government is 
carrying out social welfare programmes aimed at protecting women, and 
providing vocational training for young women living in border areas 
which traditionally have lagged behind in development.  In the economic 
sphere, women's cooperatives, such as the Myanmar Women Entrepreneur's
 Association have been taking the lead in promoting business opportunities 
for women.

Mme. President,
	Myanmar as a developing country is making use of the wealth 
and resources at its disposal in striving for the betterment of the people.  
As the Union of Myanmar charts its course towards the goal of a modern 
developed state, its ability in fulfilling the needs of its citizens including 
women in the fields of education, health, and economy will be greatly 
enhanced.
	In conclusion I would like to state that women in Myanmar enjoy
 a special status.  Safe-guarded by traditions and customs, as well as 
customary law, religious beliefs and practices, Myanmar women have 
equal pay and employment opportunities.  Special laws are laid in place 
to safeguard women's rights in such critical areas as marriage and inheritance.  
Most important, in the Myanmar society, men and women have a symbiotic 
relationship, mutuallyl depending upon one another.  They believe that
 they have equal and shared responsibilities towards the family and society.
	May I reiterate that the Delegation of Myanmar will be participating 
actively in the discussions and deliberations of the Conference for a successful 
adoption of the Platform for Action.

Thank you, Mme. President.
***********************

BWU PRESS RELEASE: SLORC CLAIMS WOMEN IN BURMA ENJOY
 FULL RIGHTS: NO NEED FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS 
September 11, 1995                      (Burmese Women Union)

	Headed by the Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, 
Major General Soe Myint, Myanmar's State Law and Order Restoration 	
Council delegation is here at the Fourth World Conference on Women to
 present the current situation of women in Burma.
	"Myanmar women are enjoying equal rights with men on political, 
economic, administrative, judicial, and social aspects," said Secretary-1 of
 SLORC Lt.-General Khin Nyunt on February 7 at the preparation meeting 
for the Women's Conference.
	The Burmese Women Union agrees with SLORC that in Burma 
today there is no discrimination against Burmese women, as they are treated 
equally to their fellow Burmese men.  They too are subjected to: 

SUMMARY EXECUTIONS
TORTURE
ARBITRARY ARREST
FORCED LABOR
FORCED PORTERING
DENIAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
FORCED RELOCATION/DISPLACEMENT

In addition girls and women of Burma, especially those who are ethnic minorities, 
receive unique treatment from SLORC:

RAPE DURING MILITARY OFFENSIVES
RAPE DURING PORTERAGE
TRAFFICKING INTO PROSTITUTION

Today human rights abuses continue unabated, and violence against 
girls and women in Burma is pervasive.  Nothing has changed in Burma, 
except for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

We, hereby, call upon SLORC to immediately and unconditionally stop 
committing violence against girls and women of Burma, and to begin a 
process of national reconciliation through dialogue and negotiations 
with the democracy movement and Burma's ethnic leaders.

We urge the international community to refrain on improving relations 
with SLORC until the Burmese military regime demonstrate a genuine 
commitment to rebuilding a truly democratic and open society.
****************

UN WOMEN"S CONFERENCE: STATEMENT BY BURMESE WOMEN 
	UNION AND NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL
September 1995

Freedom for All People in Burma!
1995 FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN

The pursuit of equality and freedom for Burmese women is inextricably intertwined 
with the ongoing struggle for democracy and peace in Burma.  Burmese women are 
at the forefront of this political struggle as illustrated by the leadership and vision 
of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose courage and unwavering commitment to human 
rights and non-violence disciplines are an inspiration to all women throughout the
 world.  The release of Aung San Suu Kyi  from a six-year house arrest in July 1995
 brought great joy and hope to the women and men fighting for freedom in Burma.  
The release, however, only signals the beginning of a new round of struggle, 
because nothing else has changed in the country.

According to the Human Rights Watch Report of July 1995, today human 
rights abuses, especially those of ethnic nationalities, continue unabated.  
Violence against girls and women is pervasive under the command of the
 State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC):  rape during military 
offensives against ethnic nationalities and democratic forces; rape of female 
porters, who are forced to serve as human mine sweepers and to carry arms 
and ammunitions for the army; and trafficking of girls and women into prostitution.

Women in Burma also bear the brunt of SLORC's policies of forced relocation, 
where families are expelled from their homes to satellite towns which lack 
electricity, clean water, and access to transportation.  Being the primary 
caretakers of families, women face great difficulties meeting the most basic
 needs of the household.  In preparation for the 1996 "Visit Myanmar Year", 
many women, including ones who are pregnant, are among the hundreds of 
thousands of people being forced to work as slave laborers on "beautification"
 projects and construction of railways, roads, bridges, and airports.

It is our firm belief that the violence perpetrated against women and girls in 
Burma cannot be properly addressed until a government that is premised on 
peace, human rights, economic and social justice is in power.  We, therefore, 
call upon the following:

SLORC should start a substantive political dialogue with the democracy forces 
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of the ethnic nationalities.

SLORC should immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners.

SLORC should take immediate steps to comply with the U.N. Economic and 
Social Council's resolution of March 8, 1995 and the U.N. General Assembly
 resolution of December 2, 1994, especially "to put an end to violations of the 
right to life and integrity of the human being, to put an end to torture, abuse 
of women and forced labor, to enforced displacements of the population and 
to enforced disappearance and summary execution" and "to allow all citizens 
to participate freely in the political process."

SLORC should investigate, prosecute, and punish government agents 
responsible for violations, in particular rape and trafficking of girls into 
sexual slavery.

Contacts:  Thin Myat Thu, Burmese Women Union, 
	    P.O. Box 42, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand
	  
	      Kathrine Biering, Norwegian Burma Council, 
			Josefinesgate 9, 0351 Oslo, Norway
****************************

REUTER: PROTEST AT BEIJING WOMEN'S MEET AGAINST RULING 
BURMESE JUNTA  
September 11, 1995

BEIJING, Sept 11 (Reuter) - Three women staged a brief protest during a 
speech by Burma's official delegation to the world's women's conference 
on Monday, unfurling a red banner demanding freedom for Burma.

The three, two of whom were from Norway and Thailand, unfurled the 
banner during a speech to a plenary session by the senior military 
officer heading the Rangoon military government's delegation to the 
United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing Burma's 
Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Major General Soe 
Myint did not falter in his speech during the protest, which lasted less 
than a minute.

UN security guards in pale blue uniforms quickly gathered up the bright 
red banner that read: "Free the People of Burma", and removed one women 
from the conference hall. The other two disappeared into the crowd.

"We want to show the world that nothing has changed in Burma," said 
protester Katherine Biering of the Norwegian Burma Council in Oslo. She 
accused the military government of continued human rights abuses in 
Burma despite its release last July of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San 
Suu Kyi after six years of house arrest.

"The international community should really know that this man standing 
up here, a general in the Burmese army, and this army is violating human 
rights every day in Burma," she said. Soe Myint addressed the session in 
civilian clothes.
**********************