Oct 09, 2007

Nonviolent Civil Resistance in Burma


Though the protests may have dissipated, activists still endure arbitrary arrests, and Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest.

Nonviolent Civil Resitance in Burma

Though the protests may have dissipated, activists still endure arbitrary arrests, and Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest.

Though the violent crackdown in September [2007] has given an appearance of Junta control on the streets of Burma, the underlying problems have not been resolved, and the people of Burma, none more so than Aung San Suu Kyi, are still awaiting reforms that will see democracy and the respect of human rights come to their country.

Originally a civilian response to massive government-imposed increases in fuel prices, the nonviolent protests outgrew this issue to encompass the wider cause of human rights, freedom, and democracy in general.

The authorities initially responded by detaining key activists, who committed no crime other than peaceful protest, but towords the end of September 2007, they cracked down violently on the protester.

The Dalai Lama, on receiving an award for nonviolent protest on 08 October 2007, reminded the world of the situation in Burma, stating that “rapidly changing events in Burma are giving us a vivid reminder of the courage and fortitude required to conduct ourselves in a non-violent and peaceful way, especially in the face of brutality. I offer my own heartfelt support to the peaceful movement for freedom and democracy in Burma, and take this opportunity to appeal to other freedom-loving people all over the world to support such non-violent movements wherever they occur”.

These views were echoed by Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu, who stated that “The courage of the people of Myanmar (Burma) is amazing and now they have been joined by their holy men. It is so like the rolling mass action that eventually toppled apartheid…We admire our brave sisters and brothers in Myanmar and want them to know that we support their peaceful protests to end a vicious rule of oppression and injustice.”

UNPO Statement:
In solidarity with all the religious figures and civilians of Burma, the General Secretary of UNPO, Mr. Marino Busdachin, has made the following statement:

“The time is coming for, public opinion makers, the international community, and the UN Security Council to take a firm and strong position on defending human, civil, and political rights of the people of Burma. The call for democracy and the rule of law is supported by all those that identify with Nobel Peace Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has the backing of the vast majority of the country.

The Ethnic Nationalities Council (Union of Burma), representing UNPO Members Karenni State, Chin State, Shan State, and Mon State, and also Arakan State and Kachin State fully supports Aung San Suu Kyi and the call for democracy in Burma.

The Ethnic Nationalities Council (Union of Burma) repeats its call for a three-party dialogue between the Junta, the Ethnic Nationalities Council, and Aung San Suu Kyi that could initiate the transition to democracy.

UNPO fully endorses the statement by His Holiness The Dalai Lama expressing his support of the people of Burma and appealing to the Junta to refrain from the use of violence that has been used in the past, killing thousands of innocent and peaceful citizens.”


European Parliament Resolution:
In response to events in Burma, the European Parliament adopted the following resolution on 26 September 2007:

The European Parliament,

     having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma, particularly that of 6 September 2007[1],

     having regard to Rule 103(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.   whereas the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks has led a massive wave of peaceful demonstrations against the repressive military junta in Burma and demanded  freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners,

B.    whereas the demonstrations have continued to grow in spite of arrests and fears of a violent reaction by government forces,

C.   having regard to the appeal of 23 September 2007 by the Dalai Lama, in which he urged the Burmese authorities to avoid violence toward Buddhist monks and other protestors,

D.   whereas, on 20 September, the situation in Burma was only briefly discussed in the UN Security Council,

 

1.    Applauds the courageous action of the Burmese monks and tens of thousands of other peaceful demonstrators in confronting the anti-democratic and repressive regime in Burma;

2.    Reiterates its call for the immediate release and full freedom of movement and expression for Aung San Suu Kyi;

3.    Urges the authorities in Burma to avoid any violent response to the demonstrations, to ensure that there is no repeat of the appalling scenes of carnage witnessed by the world in 1988, but instead to recognise the legitimacy of the demands that are being made and to release arrested demonstrators and other political prisoners;

4.    Calls for the cessation of the current illegitimate constitutional process, and its replacement by a fully representative National Convention including the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties and groups;

5.    Calls on the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma as a matter of urgency and to empower the UN Secretary-General to take action in order to facilitate national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma, and for the UN General Assembly to take appropriate action;

6.    Calls on the UN Security Council to ensure that the UN Special Envoy, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, makes his planned visit to Burma as a matter of urgency and is given unfettered freedom of movement and access;

7.    Calls on the EU Council, as a matter of urgency, to liaise with the United States, ASEAN and other members of the international community in order to prepare a coordinated series of additional measures, including targeted economic sanctions, that might be taken against the Burmese regime if it resorts to violence and does not respond to the call for a return to democracy;

8.    Asks the Commission to make the appropriate means available in the framework of the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights in order to actively support the pro-democracy movement and NGOs that work for the restitution of good governance in Burma;

9.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the governments of the ASEAN nations, the National League for Democracy, the State Peace and Development Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.