By  H.E. Dr. Sein Win

Human rights violations, a regular feature of the military regime that goes by the name of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), have shown little sign of easing in Burma. The violations connected particularly to politics have shown a marked increase in Burma proper. The noticeable increase in abuses, harassments, and coercion relating to politics started since the leader of democracy movement, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also the general secretary of the National League for Democracy, began touring different regions in the country. Thousands of people thronged the streets to welcome her despite the threats and blatant obstructions by the military and its affiliated associations.

Frustrated by the situation, the generals in the SPDC ordered an attack on the supporters and the NLD to stop the growing mass support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Thus, on 30 May, the worst kind of overt state-sponsored massacre of innocent people took place near Tabayin in Upper Burma.

As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her entourage were continuing their travel after a tumultuous welcome by the people in Monywa, the military and its affiliated thugs launched a brutal attack on the supporters and members of NLD in a remote location near Kyi village. Scores of supporters and NLD members were killed when, according to official figures, "5,000" soldiers and hired hands using iron rods, bamboo stakes, wooden clubs, and catapults set upon unsuspecting innocent people.

The SPDC arrested all NLD leaders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, closed down all NLD offices, and blamed the NLD for the "clash between NLD and anti-NLD supporters."

The international community, including ASEAN countries, has condemned the attack and called for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. But, the generals after committing the worst crime in Burmese political history to eliminate political opposition are not giving up their plan easily. They reshuffled the leadership positions and announced a "roadmap" to "disciplined democracy" — a plot to consolidate military domination in the political future of Burma.

With that backdrop in mind, it becomes apparent that ad hoc and random international actions are not helping the efforts to end human rights abuses in Burma. A concerted international action is urgently needed to pressure the generals into ending human rights violations in Burma. The suffering of the people in Burma can only end when there is global resolve to do so.

H.E. Dr. Sein Win

Prime Minister

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

 P.O Box 14536 , Ben Franklin Station

Washington, D.C. 20044, USA

Tel: (202) 639 0639,  Fax: (202) 639 0638

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ncgub.net