60th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva.

 

Agenda Item (9)

Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world.

Oral Intervention made by Mr. Soe Aung

Worldview International Foundation

29 March, 2003.


Mr. Chairman,

 

Burma’s military junta (also known as the State Peace and Development Council – SPDC) claims that it is working to achieve "disciplined democracy" with a "seven-point roadmap" but continues to arrest and detain democracy activists. Leaders of the election-winning party, the National League for Democracy, remain under detention. High-ranking officials of the military junta try to paint a rosy picture but refuse to cooperate with the United Nations' call to improve the situation of the country.

 

In the junta’s map, the ‘road’ to democracy has become a ‘roundabout’.

 

Soon after saying that it was committed to human rights at the Commission last year [59th Session], the junta committed one of its biggest political crimes. The National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party members were brutally attacked by the regime and its thugs near Tabayin (Depayin). 265 persons were arrested, killed or disappeared during the incident and the ensuing crackdown on pro-democracy groups.[1]

 

According to Amnesty International (AI), 10 people were massacred on 30 May 2003. AI takes note that 64 people were detained after the massacre and 53 disappeared, most of them believed to be affiliated to the NLD.

 

The resolution on Burma adopted at the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly expressed its grave concern at “[t]he events of 30 May 2003, the corresponding, subsequent and continuing violations of human rights which constitute a serious setback for the human rights situation in the country, and the apparent involvement of the Government-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Association in these events” and at “[t] he detention and the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the persistent denial of her human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of movement, as well as the continued detention of other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy”

 

Mr Chairman,

 

The junta continues to ignore the resolutions adopted in previous years by the General Assembly and relevant bodies. It blatantly ignores the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General and his envoy to facilitate a national reconciliation process in Burma. Violations of human rights, including arbitrary killings, rape, looting, force relocation, and destruction of villages continue, particularly in the border areas where military offensives are launched against ethnic nationalities. The Burmese people continue to be held hostage under the military's corrupt, brutal, inhumane, and undemocratic policies.

 

In November, a Myanmar court sentenced nine persons to death for high treason for connections with the ILO (the court was presented with alleged evidence of contacts, communications or information on ILO matters entertained by some of the convicted persons).[2] In addition, there were deaths in custody, including 4 hunger strikers shot dead in Bassein prison.[3] At least 19 people have been sentenced to up to 17 years’ jail for political activities.[4]

 

Mr Chairman,

 

The Burmese junta’s road map lacks a timeframe. Their so-called transition process is NOT inclusive and transparent. There has been no significant improvement in the human rights situation either.

 

We need a transition that respects human rights, that involves all interested parties, especially those who have already gained the mandate of the people in the last elections. This is the same position held by the UN Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur.[5]

 

All political prisoners must be released. Military attacks against ethnic groups must cease. All groups must be allowed to engage in dialogue with each other. Any road map to democracy in Burma must reflect the will of the peoples of Burma. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

Thank you Mr Chairman.

 


[1] Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

[2] International Labour Office, Governing Body, GB. 289/8/2. 289th Session, Geneva, March 2004

[3] DVB (16 Sept 03) Prisoners shot dead in Bassein prison

[4] DVB (13 Nov 03) Nuns given 13 years each for protesting in front of Rangoon City Hall; DVB (16 Sept 03) NLD youth sentenced; DVB (26 Sept 03) Democracy party youth leader sentenced to three years in jail; AP (12 Dec 03) Myanmar democracy demonstrator sentenced to seven years in jail & Irrawaddy (9 Jan 04) Students Sentenced to 15 Years

[5] Statement by Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights, Item 9, Geneva, 26 March 2004 and Item 9 of the provisional agenda. QUESTION OF THE VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD, Situation of human rights in Myanmar, Report of the Secretary-General, Advance Edited Version E/CN.4/2004/30, 3 March 2004