In-page Links:

 
• National League for Democracy’s Special Statement on the Report of Former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu, Calling the UN Security Council to Act in Burma
 
• National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
 
• Members of Parliament Union (MPU - Burma)
 
• Special Announcement of 11 Ethnic Nationality Parties that won 67 Seats in the 1990 General Election
 
• Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP)
 
• 88 Student Generation
 
• KNU STATEMENT ON THE CALL FOR UNSC INITIATIVE ON BURMA
 
• RESTORATION COUNCIL OF THE SHAN STATE
 
• Two Ethnic Cease-Fire Groups, KIO and MNSP, Support A Call of President Havel and Bishop Tutu, Asking the UN Security Council to Act in Burma
 
• Chin National Front General Headquarters
 
• 40,000 People from Burma Appeal to the UN Security Council
 
• Karen Women’s Organization Pleads for Immediate UNSC Action on Burma
 
• Women’s League of Burma Call on the UNSC to Act
 
• NCUB welcome US initiatives on UNSC
 
• Karen Civil Society Organisations
 
• 92 Burmese MPs letter to UN Secretary General
   
• The DPNS supports the U.N. Security Council’s Decision on Burma

National League for Democracy’s Special Statement on the Report of Former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu, Calling the UN Security Council to Act in Burma
21 September 2005

National League for Democracy,
97(B) West Shwegondine Road,
Bahan Township, Yangon.

1. The National League for Democracy states its views regarding the call by former President of Czech Republic Vaclav Havel and Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu for Security Council intervention in Burma.

2. The cardinal objective of the National League for Democracy is to create and establish democracy and human rights in Burma. It has always welcomed any and every effort or process that will bring about political change which in turn will work for the solution of the dire problems that Burma is now experiencing.

3. The National League for Democracy is therefore grateful to the former Czech president and the Archbishop for the detailed and accurate report they have submitted. We believe that the report has been prepared out of genuine and sincere motives.

4. Moreover, in their report, these two outstanding and respected world figures have not in anyway cast a slur or blemish on any organization or country. The report focuses on Burma’s problems and its needs and the way to solve them. For theses reasons we are convinced that this is the outcome of genuine goodwill.

5. When this subject is brought before the Security Council we urge and solicit all members to unite and cooperate and work together for a successful outcome and to refrain from exercising their veto powers.

In accordance with the resolution taken at the Central Executive Committee Meeting of the National League for Democracy on the 21 September 2005;
Central Executive Committee National League for Democracy

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Office of the Prime Minister

Letter to Ian Pearson
Minister of State for Trade
Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

August 31, 2005

Your Excellency,

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Your Excellency and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for joining the call at the closed door session of UN Security Council on 24 June to secure the release of our leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has been detained since May 2003. Although the issue of Burma was not included in the official agenda of the Council due to objections from some member countries, the call by well-meaning member nations to draw the attention of the Council to the problem was a great moral encouragement to the people of Burma struggling for democracy, peace, and justice.

Since then, Burma has been experiencing increased poverty, the spread of contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and degradation of the environment in both the urban and rural areas of Burma. A general feeling of insecurity is permeating throughout the country because of the absence of rule of law and the lack of respect for the fundamental rights of the people. By October, Nobel Peace laureate and leader of the democracy movement Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent a total of 10 years under detention by the Burmese generals who are tightening restrictions against political opponents. Yet, the generals are still not exhibiting any political will to seek, through dialogue with all political stakeholders, a common course of action to address the economic and social needs of the people. The existing deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation is aggravated by the increasing restrictions imposed on international humanitarian agencies and NGOs whose access to project areas as well as their direct dealings with the people at the grassroots are being curbed by the regime.

We are, therefore, deeply disappointed that the generals are continuing to ignore the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to revive the UN’s role as a facilitator. There are clear indications that Burma is getting close to the threshold of collapse and this is confirmed by recent studies conducted by independent think tanks—Foreign Policy and the Fund for Peace. In their reports on “The Failed States Index 2005”, Burma is ranked 23 out of 60 countries. Such a situation is not only a threat to the people of Burma but also to neighboring countries.

The time is ripe for the international community to consider applying the concept of “responsibility to protect” and find ways and means to protect the people of Burma.

In such a situation, I would earnestly like to request the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to use its diplomatic weight and influence to bring Burma on the agenda of the UN Security Council and adopt a resolution which will strengthen the mandate of the UN Secretary General in his efforts to reach a political settlement in Burma. We understand that the consent of China is crucial to transform this request into reality. In that regard, we request the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to convince China that a peaceful political settlement in Burma is in the best interests of the region.

Enclosed is our concept paper why Burma should be addressed by the UN Security Council. We look forward to closely working with the Permanent Mission of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations and are hopeful that an initiative on Burma can be taken in October.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Sein Win
Prime Minister
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

Members of Parliament Union (MPU - Burma)
29 September 2005

Dear Hon. Parliamentarians,

Firstly, please allow me to express my deepest appreciation to you for championing the cause of democracy in Burma. At the moment we are launching a campaign to bring Burma on the official agenda of the UN Security Council so that Burma’s problems can be discussed and appropriate measures taken for a UN-facilitated democratic transition in the country. We are hopeful that you will extend your kind support for our campaign.

In October, Romania will assume the presidency of the UN Security Council, and because of its past, it is quite familiar to the problems associated with authoritarian rule and democratic transition. Since Romania has always been sympathetic to the cause of the Burmese democracy movement, we have planned our campaign to coincide with Romania’s presidency of the UN Security Council.

We would therefore like to request you to help our campaign.

As you are also aware, the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights have been discussing the situation of human rights in Burma and passing resolutions every year since 1992. Regrettably, despite the concerns of the international community, conditions have deteriorated further in the country because the Burmese regime is refusing to comply with the recommendations of the United Nations and to cooperate with the UN Special Envoy and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. These UN officials have repeatedly been denied permission to visit the country and perform their mandate to assist the process of national reconciliation, democratization, and improvement of human rights. Meanwhile, increased poverty, the spread of contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and degradation of the environment are worsening in both the urban and rural areas of Burma. The existing deteriorating humanitarian situation has also been aggravated by the increasing restrictions imposed on international humanitarian agencies and NGOs whose access to project areas as well as their direct dealings with the people at the grassroots are being curbed by the regime.

A general feeling of insecurity is permeating throughout the country because of the absence of rule of law and the lack of respect for the fundamental rights of the people. By October, Nobel Peace laureate and leader of the democracy movement Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent a total of 10 years under detention by the Burmese generals who are tightening restrictions against political opponents. They are still not exhibiting any will to seek, through dialogue with all political stakeholders, a common course of action to address the economic and social needs of the people.

There are clear indications that Burma is getting close to the threshold of collapse and this has been confirmed by recent studies conducted by independent think tanks—Foreign Policy and the Fund for Peace. In their reports on ‘The Failed States Index 2005’, Burma is ranked 23rd out of 60 countries. Such a situation is not only a threat to the people of Burma but also to neighbouring countries. The time is ripe for the international community to consider applying the concept of ‘responsibility to protect’ and find ways and means to protect the people of Burma.

Hence, my request to you is to help:

- Raise questions to the government of the United Kingdom about its foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives at the UN Security Council aimed at addressing the deteriorating political and human rights situation in Burma.

- Take a lead in introducing and adopting at the Parliament of the United Kingdom a motion which calls on the UN Security Council to immediately address the situation in Burma.

Thanking you for the support.

Yours sincerely,

Teddy Buri
President
Members of Parliament Union (MPU- Burma)

Special Announcement of 11 Ethnic Nationality Parties that won 67 Seats in the 1990 General Election
September 24, 2005
Rangoon, Burma

We cordially welcome the report of former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, calling for the UN Security Council to address Burma. We specially thank President Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu for making such a proposal, which has no intention to harm any country, but for the sake democratization and problem solving in Burma.

Therefore, we sincerely hope that if and when the UN Security Council considers to addressing Burma, as suggested by these two leaders, all member states will cooperate fully without using veto powers and objections.

We, members of parliament elected from the ethnic nationality parties, also request for the implementation of tripartite dialogue among the military government, the National League for Democracy party and the ethnic nationality representatives, as suggested by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Members of Parliament, elected from 11 Ethnic Nationality Parties in the 1990 General Election

(Note: This statement was read by U Fu Cin Shing Thang; MP Elect from Tiddim Constituency No (2), Chin State, from Zomi National Congress, in Burmese, on behalf of 67 MPs elect from the ethnic nationality parties in the 1990 general election and broadcast from Radio Free Asia-Burmese Service on September 26, 2005. This is an unofficial translation)

[11 Ethnic parties include Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), Mon Nationality Democratic Front (MNDF), Zomi National Congress (ZNC), Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), Chin Nationality League for Democracy (CNLD), National Democratic Party for Human Rights (NDPHR), The Kachin State National Congress for Democracy, Democratic Organization for Kayan National Unity, Mara People’s Party, Shan State Kokang Democratic Party and United Nationalities League for Democracy.]

Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP)

Special Announcement on the Report, “Threat to the Peace; A Call to the UN Security Council to Act in Burma”; Commissioned by former Czech President Vaclav Havel and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa

September 30, 2005

Members of CRPP called for a meeting on September 29, 2005 and discussed on the report, commissioned by former Czech President Vaclav Havel and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, calling the United Nations Security Council to act in Burma. After serious discussion, all members agreed to issue a special statement on September 30, 2005, as follows.

We believe that the report of President Havel and Bishop Tutu truthfully review and present the real situation in Burma and constructively propose a suggestion, calling the UN Security Council to act in Burma. Furthermore, two leaders do not suggest using the economic sanctions, exercising force and pressure, but only suggest to applying the power of the UN Security Council to implement the political dialogue in Burma. This good will of two leaders correctly reflect the will of the people of Burma, including the political parties, ethnic nationality parties, democracy forces and people from all walks of life.

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) (formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council-SLORC) continuously fail to implement the numerous resolutions and suggestion of the UN General Assembly, and as of today, it even stops cooperating with the UN’s Special Envoy. Ignoring the good will of the United Nations, the SPDC is trying to create the future of the country with its one-sided formula. If the authorities continue to move forward with its one-sided path, we will see the future of country and lives of the people of Burma in dangerous situation.

At this critical juncture, we wholeheartedly appreciate former President Havel and Bishop Tutu for making a constructive proposal, calling the UN Security Council to act in Burma. We also urge the members of the UN Security Council to pay serious attention on the recommendations of two leaders for the best interest of the people of Burma, and especially request the member states to refrain from exercising the use of veto power to object it.

Committee Representing the People’s Parliament Rangoon, Burma

[Note: This report was cited by U Than Tun, a member of the CRPP and a Secretary of the NLD and U Aye Thar Aung, Secretary of CRPP and the General Secretary of the Arakan League for Democracy party to the DVB Radio Station. DVB broadcast it on September 30, 2005. This is an unofficial translation.

CRPP was founded on October 1, 1998 to represent the parliament, as mandated by over 250 MPs elect from the 1990 general election, after continuous refusal of the military regime to convene the parliament. All CRPP members, except five members who are in detention and who are away from Rangoon, attended the meeting on September 29 and made the decision together. Four members, Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary and U Tin Oo, Vice Chairman of the NLD, U Khun Tun Oo, General Secretary of the Shan Nationality League for Democracy (SNLD) and U Kyaw Min from Human Rights and Democratic Party are currently under detention. U Yang Kye Maw from Shan State Kokang Democratic Party was unable to attend the meeting.

The Student Generation Since 1988 supports the Report “Threat to the Peace; A Call to the UN Security Council to Act in Burma”, Commissioned by Former Czech President Vaclav Havel and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.

Min Ko Naing: “We see this report as a common strategy, which we have requested since we were released from the prison. There are different ways in approaching to solve the problem. We insisted repeatedly to adopt a common strategy, which all parties can play together. Once I had outlined an example. There will be no move when people push the rock from different directions, from North, from South, etc, at the same time. We believe that now we reach a stage of common action, as suggested by two leaders, which we all can move the stone together from one direction. We also believe that the recommendations from this report still maintain the idea of political dialogue and negotiation. It suggests to increasing the role of the United Nations in Burma significantly.”

Ko Ko Gyi: “We found two major focal points in this report. First, it calls for the UN Security Council’s action, without suggesting sanctions and punitive measure. This should be a focal point for the people, who promote the sanctions and who encourage the engagement. It is also a hub for the military government and democracy forces to work together to obtain the humanitarian assistance from the international community, which is essential for the people of Burma. We would like to urge everybody to meet at these focal points.”

“We also would like to request the countries that hold the veto powers and all international community that we all, the National League for Democracy party that won a landslide victory in the 1990 general election, the ethnic political parties that won the seats in the 1990 election, veteran politicians, ethnic national leaders, student leaders like us, who represent the wider population of the democracy movement and who are the key players of the future of our country, unanimously support the call of President Havel and Bishop Tutu, asking the UN Security Council to act in Burma, and that they should consider our endorsement on this report seriously.

[Note: Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi are prominent student leaders in Burma, who led the 1988 nationwide popular uprising, calling democracy, human rights and an end of the military dictatorship. Both of them spent over 15 years in the prison and were just released last year. This is an unofficial translation from DVB broadcast in Burmese on September 30, 2005.]

OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
KAREN NATIONAL UNION
KAWTHOOLEI

KNU STATEMENT ON THE CALL FOR UNSC INITIATIVE ON BURMA
September 25, 2005

1. The repressive and arbitrary rule of the Burmese military dictatorship, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has been pushing the country relentlessly towards the brink of social, economic and political disaster. The ruling clique’s economic mismanagement and corruption, the massive military build-up, gross human rights violations in its war of genocide against the ethnic nationalities and severe political repression have made the entire people of Burma to face increasing poverty and lead a life of constant fear.

  2. Though the United Nations resolutions have been urging the SPDC military dictatorship, year after year, for an inclusive political process for national reconciliation and respect for human rights since 1994, it has not only ignored the concerns of the World Body but has blatantly rejected also its effort to facilitate the national reconciliation process. Now the growing problems of refugees, IDPs, illegal immigrant workers, narcotic drugs and HIV/AIDS emanating from Burma have become a regional concern of serious magnitude.

  3. It is only appropriate for the former Czech President Vaclav Havel and retired South African archbishop Desmond Tutu to call for an urgent initiative at the UN Security Council to bring reforms to military-ruled Burma. We, the KNU, fully agree with the proposal of the two World Leaders of Conscience calling upon the UN to intervene in Burma for “implementing a plan for national reconciliation and restoration of a democratically-elected government.”

  4. In conclusion, we would like to affirm our earnest support for the timely action of former President Vaclav Havel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu for freedom, justice, stability and peace in Burma. At the same time, we call on the SPDC military dictatorship to submit to reason, release all the political prisoners at once, cease its attempt to perpetuate its hold on power immediately, accept the decisions of the UN Security Council without hesitation and fully cooperate with the United Nations, before it is too late.

Central Headquarters
Karen National Union

RESTORATION COUNCIL OF THE SHAN STATE

September 27, 2005

STATEMENT ON “THREAT TO THE PEACE: A CALL FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO ACT IN BURMA”

Regarding the report titled “Threat to the Peace: A Call for the UN Security Council to Act in Burma”, made public on 20 September 2005, we would like to support and welcome the endeavour of the former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu for their call.

For 58 years since the independence of the so call Union of Burma, consecutive military government have had done serious damage to the entire people of Burma. Human right abuses, such as forced labour, extra-judicial detaining and execution, confiscation of farming lands, resulting in the growing problems of IDPs and illegal immigrants.

Under the rule of corrupted military authorities, the proliferation of narcotic drugs was not only a direct threat to the society, it also become the epicentre of HIV/AIDS and other drug related diseases, a potential epidemic in store for the whole region.

These man-made disastershave not only ruining the livelihood of the people, but also the tradition, culture, historical heritage and environment of the whole nation. With the prompt action and cooperation of the international communities, this disaster could be stopped.

In conclusion, we would like to affirm our earnest support for the action of former President Vaclav Havel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu for freedom, justice, stability and peace in Burma. And we also call upon the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action on Burmaís Military Regime for the sake of peace and safety for the whole region.

Central Executive Committee

Restoration Council of Shan State.
Two Ethnic Cease-Fire Groups, KIO and MNSP, Support A Call of President Havel and Bishop Tutu, Asking the UN Security Council to Act in Burma

Vice President of the KIO (Kachin Independence Organization) Dr. Tujar spoke to DVB on Oct 1, 2005, regarding with the report of President Vaclav Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu, calling the UN Security Council to act in Burma, as follow.

“We want and support it as a constructive proposal. It encourages the true dialogue, which we always want. The KIO’s national policy is to solve the problem by peaceful mean. The broader we can discuss the better. That will be great, if the United Nations can help that dialogue happens. It is important to be practical. That will be benefit for all if the dialogue happens; otherwise, we will not be reaching anywhere.”

Another cease-fire group, Mon New State Party (MNSP)‘s General Secretary Naing Han Thar also spoke to DVB about the party’s opinion on the report of President Havel and Bishop Tutu as follow.

“The MNSP support the call of President Havel and Bishop Tutu, asking the UN Security Council to act in Burma. There will be better if the UN has better role to involve in Burma. We supported when the UN’s Special Envoy Razali Ismail came in and tried to facilitate the dialogue. As Razali couldn’t come again, we welcome this proposal as another attempt to facilitate the dialogue under the supervision of the United Nations. We welcome and accept it. As we have lack of trust among us, involvement and strong participation of the United Nations in Burma will be better. We believe that the United Nations can implement the tri-partite dialogue which the UN General Assembly’s resolutions suggested. There are a lot of precedence that many conflicts around the world were solved with the help of the UN. We welcome it.”

[Note: KIO and MNSP are two largest major ethnic armed resistance groups, which entered to the cease-fire agreement with the Burmese military regime since 1989. This is an unofficial translation from DVB Broadcast in Burmese on Oct 1, 2005.]

Chin National Front General Headquarters
CHINLAND

Chin National Front’s Statement on “THREAT TO THE PEACE: A CALL FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO ACT IN BURMA”

The CNF is grateful to the honorable former President of Czechoslovakia Vaclav Havel and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu for their submission of “Threat to the Peace: A call for the United Nations Security Council to Act in Burma,” a comprehensive report that calls on the august body to intervene in the deteriorating situations in Burma. The CNF would like to announce its total support for the call of the two international figures in urging the UNSC to act upon Burma.

The CNF has always been ready for a reconciliation in order to solve the political crisis in Burma. However, it is the solemn view of the CNF that the State Peace and Development Council’s unilateral and exclusionary approach to national reconciliation through ‘Political Road Map’ has proven miserably ineffective. It did not meet the basic prerequisites necessary to bring about national reconciliation, democracy and federalism in Burma. The process only strengthens the military regime’s grips on power and there is no room for solutions to the ethno-political conflicts and constitutional crisis in the Union.

The continued reign of the SPDC only serves to augment problems of human rights violations, illegal immigrations, internal displacement, refugee exodus, illicit drugs trafficking, prostitutions and spread of HIV/Aids in the country— problems that now transcend to the regions of South East Asia. The contagious effects caused by Burma’s ‘internal affairs’ now become not only a regional problem but a matter of serious international concern.

The CNF strongly appeals to all civilized members of the world community to recognize the urgent need for international intervention in Burma. We especially urge the United Nations Security Council to act promptly and decisively on Burma as recommended by former Czech President Vaclav Havel and the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Central Executive Committee
Chin National Front
Chinland
25th September 2005


40,000 People from Burma Appeal to the UN Security Council

More than 40,000 refugees, migrant workers and civil society organizations from Burma signed the petition calling on the United Nations Security Council to address the issue of Burma at its upcoming meeting in October. This appeal is submitted by Burmaís multi ethnic nationalities, including the Karen, Karenni, Kayan, Mon, Burman, Tavoy, Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Lahu, Kachin, Lushine, Kuki, Wa, Pa-O, and Palaung people, in commemorating the International Day of Peace which falls on September 21, 2005.

The petition highlights the situation of Internally Displaced Persons, refugees and migrant workers, HIV/AIDS epidemic, child malnutrition, child soldiers, and sexual violence that women face as constant threat in conflict areas and in neighboring countries and calls on the UN Security Council to look into the issue of peace and human security in Burma and to take necessary actions for the followings:

The release of 1991 Noble Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ethnic leaders and all political prisoners;  Meaningful dialogue between the military government, democratic oppositions led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and ethnic nationalities; The declaration of nationwide ceasefire and withdrawal of troops from ethnic areas; The end of sexual violence against women by military troops and protection of women and children in armed conflict areas;  For the migrant workers to be able to fully enjoy labor rights adopted by respective host countries; and The right for the people of Burma to return home peacefully and safely.

Starting from 1st September, about 35 workshops on Peace Education were organized with more than 2,000 participants and prayers, vigils, peace rallies, and public forums are held in the border areas of India-Burma, China-Burma, Bangladesh-Burma, and Thai-Burma, and in New Delhi. It is estimated that about ten thousand people will be attending the prayers, vigils and peace rallies tomorrow on the International Day of Peace. Prayers and vigils in some areas will be led by Christian and Muslim religious leaders and in other areas alms will be offered to monks at Buddhist monasteries to be followed by Dhamma recitations about peace.

“As we are holding these prayers, vigils, rallies, and forums, the WLB calls on the SPDC to immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ethnic leaders and all political prisoners; the religious leaders inside Burma to jointly make efforts for the national reconciliation; the SPDC and all armed groups to observe the International Peace Day by ceasing fire on this auspicious day; and the women’s organizations inside the country, including Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation, to urge the Burma army to declare nationwide ceasefire,” said Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Women as Peace Builders Program of the Women’s League of Burma (WLB).
 
The main objectives of these prayers, vigils, rallies, and forums are (1) to publicize and encourage people to participate in the global movement for peace on earth as part of the International Day of Peace for all people around the world; (2) for every human being to have the spirit of peace and to act to eradicate violence; (3) for the people of Burma to realize and be devoted to the true essence of peace; and (4) for the change in current political situation of Burma.

Women’s League of Burma (WLB)


Karen Women’s Organization Pleads for International Women’s Group to Press for Immediate UN Security Council Action on Burma
3rd May 2006

The Karen Women’s Organization today issued a public statement pleading for international women’s organizations to press for an immediate United Nations Security Council resolution on Burma.

“Over the past several weeks, 13,000 people have been driven from their homes in eastern Burma, many in Karen state.  Burma’s military junta is on a rampage, killing women, children, and other innocent civilians.  We desperately need women around the world to demand that the UN Security Council take action to end the violence in eastern Burma,” said KWO in a statement.  “If the UN Security Council turns a blind eye, many more women will die.”

Over the past seven weeks, 13,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in villages in eastern Burma, an area of the world off-limit to journalists and non-governmental organizations.  Over the past ten years, 2,800 villages have been destroyed of forced to evacuate by Burma’s military junta, widely recognized as one of the world’s most brutal regimes.

Refugees International, the respected human rights organization, reports that over 1,000,000 refugees have fled from Burma, and over 1/2 million remain displaced inside the country as internal refugees.  In addition to the torching of villages, the military junta has carried out a widespread campaign of rape against ethnic minority women in Burma, including the Karen.  Ethnic women’s organizations have documented these rapes extensively in reports including “Shattering Silences”, “License to Rape”, and others.

The UN General Assembly and UN Commission on Human Rights have passed a total of 28 consecutive non-binding resolutions on Burma, all of which have been ignored by Burma’s military junta.

Recently, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Refugees International, Church World Service, and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions have called for the UN Security Council to act on Burma—unlike the General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights, its decisions are binding.  On December 16th, 2005 the UN Security Council held its first ever discussion on Burma, and now Karen Women’s Organization is calling on the Council to go further and pass a binding resolution demanding the military junta end all attacks on innocent civilians in Burma and begin a process of peaceful negotiations with all ethnic groups and Aung San Suu Kyi, the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

“Eastern Burma is like living hell,” said the Karen Women’s Organization in a statement.  “We can’t understand why the UN Security Council sits in silence while more and more innocent civilians die.  If the destruction of 2,800 villages isn’t enough for them to take action, what is?”

KWO went on to call for support from international women’s organizations.  “We know that women’s organizations around the world talk a lot about the need for women’s peace and security.  Right now, in eastern Burma, women are being killed, tortured, and raped by soldiers of the military junta.  Please break your silence and demand immediate action by the UN Security Council.  Every day that the world waits is one day too long for the women of eastern Burma—one more day of rape, killing, and violence.”
Karen Women’s Organization
www.karenwomen.org

Women’s League of Burma Call on the United Nations Security Council to Act to Stop the Current Attacks on Civilians in Karen State
8 May 2006

The Women’s League of Burma is appalled and sickened by the current Burmese military regime’s offensive against civilians in Karen State. This deliberate and direct targeting of civilians in armed conflict by the military regime clearly violates international humanitarian law and demonstrates that conflict in Burma is not appeasing.

The WLB supports its member organization, the Karen Women’s Organization’s call for urgent action by the United Nations Security Council to stop this reprehensible violence.

The Burmese military regime’s forced relocation campaign on-going in northern and western Karen State since November 2005 is the largest military offensive since 1997. To date, around 13 000 Karen have been forcibly displaced in Nyaunglebin, Toungoo and Muthraw districts as military regime soldiers attempt to forcibly relocate people to military controlled zones. Extrajudicial killings, forced portering, destructions of homes, fields, and food stocks are also reported.

New landmines laid by the regime soldiers along the border are preventing displaced people from seeking or receiving humanitarian assistance. This begins a new round of death and displacement for Karen civilians, with particular burdens on women and children.

Recent decisions at the UN World Summit and by the UNSC now affirm a collective responsibility of all UN members to protect civilian populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in the absence of government protection.

The WLB strongly urges the United Nations Security Council to take urgent and appropriate action regarding the human rights crisis underway in eastern Burma. It urges the UNSC to take action in accordance with its 28 April 2006 resolution 1674, “On protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict” and its 31 October 2000 resolution 1325, “On Women, Peace and Security.”

The current attack on civilians in Karen State is precisely an occurrence for which these two UNSC resolutions were adopted and should trigger immediate UNSC action and place Burma on the UNSC agenda. The WLB also urges the international women’s community to act in solidarity and pressure the UNSC to take relevant action.

Women’s League of Burma
www.womenofburma.org
Statement in support of the United States initiatives for United Nations Security Council action on Burma.

National Council of the Union of Burma
4 September 2006

The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) wishes to thank the American people, the U.S. Congress,  President George W. Bush and Ambassador John Bolton for the initiative the Government of the United States of America has taken in placing the ongoing tragedy in Burma on the formal agenda for discussion of the UN Security Council.

The people of Burma voted overwhelmingly in 1990 for a change in Burma. The military regime responded with brutality.  Today cruel and brutal methods are still used to oppress and intimidate workers, students, politicians, academics and any voices of dissent regardless of ethnicity or gender.

Yet the democratic struggle still survives. The political parties are still in the country. Activists still speak out. The atrocities of the military regime are have become well known to the international community.  The legislators from the Asean and Asia that previously tried for over a decade to entice the Burmese regime to change through personal relationships, economic development and cultural exchanges have now given up on the regime. Indeed, many of those in Asia who once advocated constructive engagement now say out loud that the regime does not want change; it does not want to be helped and therefore they will no longer defend it in international forums.

Inside the UN family itself, the International Labor Organization ILO has tried it’s best to have the military regime cease it’s institutionalized practice of using Forced Labor. The regime has agreed to make improvements many times but the systematic use of forced labour by the government has continued. The ILO is now working to move the Burma issue through the EcoSoc Council and is preparing to forward the case to the International Court of Justice ICJ which has a consultative status at the UN Security Council for a recommendation on Burma.

The people of Burma voted for change and the regime responded with thuggish brutality.  The regime in Burma cannot do the same to the international community. The regime cannot intimidate or coerce members of the Security Council.

“There are times when you have to vote. There are times when people have to go on the record and say what their position is ” said Ambassador Bolton. We agree and support this initiative!  It is time that supporters of democracy in Burma demonstrate their support with their votes.

Statement of Karen Civil Societies                                                       
December 18, 2006

We, the representatives of the Karen civil societies the Karen Women’s Organization, Karen Youth Organization, Federation of Trade Union Kaw Thoo Lei, Overseas Karen Refugees Social Organization, Karen Office of Release and Development, Center of Internally Displaced Karen People, Karen Education Department, Karen Students Network Group, Karen University Students Group and Karen Teacher Working Group met on 14th December, 2006, to review the serious humanitarian situation caused by ongoing military offensives by the SPDC troops in the foot-hills and hill areas of Toungoo, Nyaunglebin, Thaton and Papun Districts.

1.  In the massive military offensive in the said areas, the SPDC military regime has been using more than 70 battalions of troops. About 60 battalions are drawn from other military commands while the rest are from the SPDC Central Military Command; which is based in Toungoo District.

2. Since January this year, the SPDC regime has been conducting brutal military offensives perpetrating, against the civilian population, human right violations, which can only be termed as genocide. The human rights violations are in the form of forcibly relocating villages to locations meaning the military camps, without any compensation. The SPDC uses relocated villagers as forced labor for carrying food supplies, ammunitions and heavy weapons for its frontline troops. In forcibly relocating the villages, the SPDC troops burn down the houses, rice barns, loot or destroy the villagers’ valuables, livestock, household utensils, farms and orchards, torture or execute suspects and commit rape of women, in the operational areas.

3. The SPDC troops ban all villagers in the operational areas from traveling to towns or other villages and working on their farms and orchards. Persons found outside of the villages are shot to death. As the SPDC troops shell the villages outside of their area of control with heavy weapons and target the villagers as enemies, more than 25,000 persons have had to desert their villages and become IDPs, hiding in jungles or fleeing towards the Thai-Burma border. The SPDC troops plant landmines on the footpaths, in the deserted villages and on the farms. Now, it has been learnt that the SPDC has started to use helicopters to transport troops, food supplies and ammunition. It appears that the SPDC has the intention to intensify its military operations during this dry season.

4. It is clear that the SPDC has no respect for human dignity and innocent lives. Going on the past record and the present activities of the SPDC, we are very much concerned about the survival of the Karen people in the conflict areas. Accordingly, we earnestly appeal to the UNSC to take immediate action to stop the genocidal war of the SPDC against the Karen people and urge the international community to provide assistance, without delay

92 Burmese MPs write to UN Secretary General
1 August 2007

To:
Hon. Mr. Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General
United Nations

From:
Members of Parliament-Elect, Myanmar/Burma

Re: National Reconciliation and Democratization in Myanmar/Burma

Dear Excellency,

We note that you have issued a statement on 18 July 2007, in which you urged the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) (the ruling military government of Myanmar/Burma) to “seize this opportunity to ensure that this and subsequent steps in Myanmar’s political roadmap are as inclusive, participatory and transparent as possible, with a view to allowing all the relevant parties to Myanmar’s national reconciliation process to fully contribute to defining their country’s future.”

We thank you for your strong and personal involvement in Myanmar/Burma and we expect that your good offices mandate to facilitating national reconciliation in Myanmar/Burma would be successful. We, Members of Parliament elected by the people of Myanmar/Burma in the 1990 general elections, also would like to assure you that we will fully cooperate with your good offices and the United Nations in our effort to solve problems in Myanmar/Burma peacefully through a meaningful, inclusive and transparent dialogue.

When we all are relentlessly working for political dialogue, we would like to declare clearly that we will not accept any solution made by one-sided action of the SPDC with use of force, threat, pressure and manipulation. As you are aware, the SPDC has been embarking on the path to legalize its military rule with a new constitution through the seven-step road map, in which the national convention with its selected delegates is the first step.

The peoples’ representatives are not allowed to participate in this constitution drafting process. All delegates are forced to agree on the SPDC’s pre-written chapters and basic principles, which grant the military’s Commander-in-Chief the supreme power. General populations are threatened not to raise their voice about the future of their country with the SPDC’s decree No. 5/96, which is designed to punish lengthy imprisonment to those who dare to criticize the national convention.

If the SPDC continues to implement its seven-step road map without cooperating with the peoples’ representatives and without listening to the real desire of the people of Myanmar/Burma and repeated requests from the international community, including your good-self, the SPDC’s orchestrated constitution would be surely challenged by the people of Myanmar/Burma, including ethnic nationalities. We will be joining with them to oppose this sham-constitution and leading to educate and organize the people of Myanmar/Burma to vote against it in the referendum. We promise to the people of Myanmar/Burma who voted us that we will not let them down.

Before we reach to that boiling point, we hope that the United Nations and your good offices might play important role to avoid the upcoming national crisis in Myanmar/Burma. We want to propose the followings to modify the current seven-step road map, with the help of your mediation.

(1) The SPDC should finish the national convention as soon as possible. Outcome from the national convention should be regarded as proposals made by the SPDC and national convention delegates to consider in drawing a state constitution.

(2) The step two of the road map should be modified as a meaningful political dialogue between the SPDC and the elected representatives from the NLD and ethnic political parties. In the dialogue, various national issues and procedures and time frame to implement the rest of the road map, as well as the role of elected representatives from the 1990 elections during the transitional period should be discussed and agreed.

(3) In step three, constitution drafting committee should be formed with equal number of representatives from the SPDC, the NLD and representatives from ethnic political parties and cease-fire groups. Constitution should be drafted based on the outcome from the national convention and suggestions from the other groups. Draft constitution should be presented to the people of Myanmar/Burma for their understanding, discussion and input, which should be incorporated into the final draft constitution.

(4) Step four should be convening the Parliament meeting with MPs-elect from the 1990 elections to approve the final draft Constitution.

(5) Holding of free and fair elections according to the new constitution should be step five.

(6) Step six should be convening the new Parliament, elected from the elections according to the new constitution and forming the new government, which is to assume the executive power immediately.

(7) Step seven should be abolishing of the SPDC and its associated organs and activating of all administrative, legislative and judiciary bodies at every administrative levels according to new constitution.

Dear Excellency,

We sincerely believe that you will increase your effort to help realizing of national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar/Burma by presenting the proposals mentioned above to the international community, which you are now trying get consensus on the situation in our country. We also hope that you will be able to convince the SPDC to modify the current seven-step road map to become an internationally acceptable process, as suggested above, and work together with the elected representatives from the NLD and ethnic political parties to achieve sustainable national reconciliation and democratization in foreseeable future.

Please note that the SPDC will be sole responsible for the upcoming and avoidable national crisis if it continues to ignore the real desire of the people of Myanmar/Burma and good will of the international community.

Best regards,

Members of Parliament-Elect
(Click [here] for full list of signatories)[PDF file]

The DPNS supports the U.N. Security Council’s Decision on Burma
4 December 2005

The Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) warmly welcomes a significant decision of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the situation in Burma. The 15-member UNSC reached a consensus agreement of its member countries on Friday (2 December 2005) to ask UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to brief the Council on Burma.

The DPNS acknowledges that this agreement of UNSC members to hold a briefing on the situation in Burma is a pragmatic decision, and is in particular aware of this as giving an attach importance to the appeal made by the National League for Democracy (NLD) on 28 October 2005 to the members of UNSC.
From this UNSC’s move, the DPNS looks forward to a realistic approach for a political dialogue between the NLD and the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the Burma’s ruling military government, as suggested by Bishop Desmond Tutu and former Czech president Mr. Vaclav Havel.
The DPNS would like to point out that a dialogue for political solution to the Burma’s crises is what the NLD has at all times asked for and also what all the people of Burma is overwhelmingly willing to see.

Thus, the DPNS would like to request all the members of UNSC and UN Secretary General H.E Mr. Kofi Annan to act on Burma aiming at the materialization of a political dialogue that the Burmese military government has by all means ignored.

Central Committee
Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS)
For further information:
Aung Moe Zaw
Chairperson
Tel: 66 5 0522362 (Mobile)
E-mail: amzaw@dpns.org