ANTI-DICTATORSHIP, PEOPLE'S FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN BURMA
(London, Great Britain) Global Action, Aung San Suu Kyi Awareness Campaign
Honorable Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron
Prime Minister's Office,
10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
We are Burmese students and activists calling London, Great Britain, home today.
At present, we are based in London and campaigning under the banner - ANTI-DICTATORSHIP, PEOPLE'S FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN BURMA (London, Great Britain) - showing displeasure on and waging political defiance against military rule in Burma in front of the Burmese military regime's embassy in London.
First and foremost, we hereby expressed our profound gratitude on the Prime Minister for his confirmation - continue to press for change in Burma as a key part in his foreign policy.
And Foreign Secretary, William Hague saying "continued detention of more than 2,100 other political prisoners in Burma contravenes international human rights law and urging the military regime to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally" earned our appreciation no less.
The Burmese military regime led by Than Shwe has successfully stolen the elections - crafted, engineered and executed as well - in favor of its proxy party (Union Solidarity and Development Party) securing nearly 80% of the seats in the parliament last November 7th; many Western governments cited the election as neither free nor fair, much less all inclusive nor transparent at the least.
Hence and most disastrously as well Than Shwe heading the ruling military junta in Burma is now in a position to enshrine his 2008 military dominated constitution to further entrench military rule in Burma under a civilian guise of course and hoodwink the global community.
At this juncture, we take this opportunity to point out the fact Than Shwe's constitution would not lead to an ultimate civilian rule in future as some believed; hence, waiting to deal with the post-election ruling body emerging out of the sham elections like the European Union led by Germany, China, India and ASEAN countries as well.
The fact that the existence of so-called National Defense and Security Council holding absolute power, the President vested with clout to disband the parliament at his whim, not to mention 25% of the seats reserved for military personnel in the parliament and lately a decree signed by Than Shwe himself threatening to imprison any member of parliament who tried to make a move to amend the constitution summed up all, certainly strengthening the fact and belief the ruling military junta has no will nor desire to change for the better much less pave the way for a representative rule in Burma.
And Min Ko Naing and his colleagues of the 8888 Student Generation still languishing in the dingy cells of various prisons in Burma without proper medical care and attention until today despite the global community calls for their release from unlawful and unjust detention, further added much credence to the fact.
Than Shwe's handpicked Election Commission headed by an ex-military officer also is instrumental in adding much impact on the ploy; sidelining the National League for Democracy (NLD) party led by its charismatic and most popular leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (1991 Nobel Peace Laureate) which won the 1990 elections by a landslide (82%) victory and prior to holding the elections as well; the ruling military ignored the election results until today but is replacing it with its ill-gotten election results as worldwide known today.
And Daw Aung San Suu Kyi winning her freedom - much gratitude for your substantial part for that matter as well - only a week in the wake of the conclusion of the 2010 farce (election) also was well orchestrated since day one no doubt.
And United Nations Secretary General pulling his legs in Burma's case, draw the line - press for definitive and decisive position against Burma's generals - and failing to secure any hope or prospect out of the elections for the better on his part as well has served no purpose much less change the current political landscape of the military ruled country.
Requiring 75% majority to change the constitution is another point in case, impossible for any democratic reform in Parliament other than assure military supremacy in the system and country no doubt; the constitution stipulates 25% of the parliamentary seats reserved for military personnel and the military proxy part (Union Solidarity and Development Party) has just stolen the election by a landslide (80%) victory.
The Parliament in fact as well is largely powerless as the military remaining a dominant institution in reality; the power rests with the President, the Commander in Chief and the New National Defense and Security Council, all personnel from the military.
Hence, the post - election system as crafted and engineered by Than Shwe and his lot is just plain unfair, unjust and certainly undemocratic, subject to change only with the tacit approval of the military, next to impossible in military ruled Burma as well.
And the people of Burma would continue to suffer severe deprivations and human rights abuses - rape, torture, executions and acts constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity - in future and no less.
It is apparent the Parliament could not serve as forum for any genuine democratic change in Burma without the military agreeing to changes.
The United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations Secretary General, European Union, ASEAN and USA have stated the only way to bring genuine change in Burma is via a DIALOGUE between the NLD, genuine ethnic representatives, and the military dictatorship the ONLY ANSWER for national reconciliation and peaceful transition to democracy in Burma.
Hence, a determined UN-led effort in this direction - a dialogue - with strong backing from world leaders and the United Nations Security Council no less - would certainly augur well and pack much greater and faster prospects in bringing change in Burma than accepting the 2010 fake election results at their face value and waiting to recognize and lend legitimacy on the post-election ruling body, certain to bring further chaos and woes in the country.
In this view, we earnestly urge you to declare the outcome of the 2010 elections NULL and VOID and refuse recognition, much less render legitimacy on the emerging ruling body in Burma for lacking in inclusiveness and transparency to say the least.
And your active and substantial part in pushing the UN chief to put his maximum weight behind UN led efforts to affect a meaningful DIALOGUE - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's persistent call since day one until today - would be greatly appreciated and immensely helpful in restoring freedom and democracy and hasten the debut of a representative rule in Burma of course.
And you voice and substantial part in calling for release of Min Ko Naing, his colleagues (8888 Generation Students) and more than 2200 political prisoners would serve better in Burma's cause for freedom and democracy and command much appreciation of the people of Burma as well.
Lastly and most importantly as well, while taking this opportunity we cite Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's personal security and safety are in present and clear danger, given the fact she has been subjected to an assassination attempt back in 2003; a repeat in this case could be in order, if caution is thrown to the winds lest you forget.
Tin Thu Zar Swe (Miss)
Action Planning Committee
London
December 16, 2010
