Last year’s budget allocated just 1.3 percent of the government budget to health, and just over 4 percent on education. Almost 25 percent was allocated to the military. There is believed to be additional military spending outside the official accounts.

“Thein Sein has promised reform and to prioritise development.” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “This budget will be a test of how serious he is. There needs to be substantial increases in spending on health, education and agriculture, and major cuts in military spending.”

Thein Sein’s government has asked for more international support to tackle poverty, promote development, and build the capacity of government departments. Burma Campaign UK has successfully campaigned for increased British aid to Burma, and supports further increases. However, support for increased aid to Burma could be undermined if the government continues to spend almost 20 times more on the military than it does on health.

Burma’s health, education and agriculture sectors have been neglected for decades. They need substantial upfront investment to build basic infrastructure and train professionals, in addition to a general long-term increase. Given the desperate state of health and education, the government should be laying out a plan for the next few years on how the balance of spending between health and education, and the military, will be reversed.

“If we see increases in health and education budgets of just one or two percent, and no significant reduction in military spending, it will raise real concerns about how serious Thein Sein’s government is about turning promises of reforms into concrete change,” said Mark Farmaner.

The ability of Parliament to make significant changes to any proposed budget should also be watched closely. Constitutionally, the Parliament has very little power, but does have to approve the budget.

In June last year the Burmese government broke a ceasefire with the Kachin Independence Organisation, an armed political party in Kachin State, north-east Burma.

“While the EU’s Baroness Ashton calls President Thein Sein ‘courageous’, his soldiers are shooting unarmed pregnant women”, said Zoya Phan, Campaigns Manager at Burma Campaign UK. “There has been good news from Burma recently, but there is still more bad news than good news. It is time the international community took a more balanced approach to what is really happening in Burma.”

The Burmese Army has been deliberately targeting civilians since resuming conflict. Villages are being attacked, women gang-raped by Burmese Army soldiers, and civilians shot on sight. The attacks by the Burmese Army have forced up to 50,000 people to flee their homes. The military-backed government continues to block international aid from reaching these people.

Mangshang Ying Wang was shot by Burmese Army soldiers on 11 January 2012 at 9am. She was shot on Hpakan Road, Kachin State. It is believed that soldiers from battalion 58 under the command of Lieutenant Ye Min Twi, Lieutenant Ko Ko Latt and Colonel Htun Naing are in charge of soldiers in that area.

Mangshang Ying Wang was four months pregnant. She was taken to hospital where she died later that day. Another woman, Gawlu Seng Hkawn was shot and injured in the attack.

“The soldiers who carried out this attack should be arrested and put on trial”, said Zoya Phan. “For decades these kind of attacks have taken place with no action taken against the soldiers and their commanders.  The scale of this indicates this is Army policy, not individual soldiers behaving badly.”

“The breaking of the ceasefire in Kachin state was predicted but the international community took no action to try to prevent this happening, and no action to ensure aid could reach those who would have to flee attacks”, said Zoya Phan.  “Attacks like this should remind the EU that they shouldn’t get carried away by the good news and relax sanctions too soon. Those EU members whose diplomats are privately arguing that even the arms embargo should be lifted in April, should come out publicly and explain why they think it’s a good idea to sell arms to a government that shoots unarmed women.”

However, Burma Campaign UK is deeply concerned by proposals being made privately by some EU member states and the External Action Service of the EU for much deeper or even complete relaxation of sanctions, even the arms embargo. EU sanctions on Burma are due for renewal in April.

EU Foreign Ministers met on 23rd January to discuss Burma policy. The Council conclusions issued by EU Foreign Ministers are relentlessly upbeat, glossing over or ignoring potential problems. This appears designed to pave the way for a much deeper relaxation of sanctions, which cannot be justified by steps taken so far by the military-backed government. Premature relaxation of sanctions risks marginalising European influence.

Burma Campaign UK has produced a Briefing Paper analysing the Council conclusions, available at:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/burma-briefing/title/analysis-of-eu-conclusions-on-burma

The EU does not have the broad scale and depth of sanctions which the USA has, and so has additional reason to be careful in calibrating its response. To give away too many sanctions too soon removes what little leverage the EU has.  This will more likely discourage further change, rather than encourage it, and the EU will be sidelined in its influence. The EU has flexibility to change its sanctions regime at any time, not just in April when the annual renewal takes places. There is no need for a premature rush to remove all or most sanctions in April.

“Sanctions are an important tool for encouraging further change in Burma, but to give away too many sanctions too soon could undermine incentives for deeper and more fundamental political reforms in Burma,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK. “There are reasons for hope, but reasons to be cautious as well. Ignoring every lesson they should have learnt in dealing with Burma over the decades, many EU members appear to be throwing caution to the wind.”

There are welcome changes in Burma, but so far no repressive laws have been repealed and no power or control relinquished by the government or military. There is not yet any inclusive political process for dialogue towards a transition to democracy and national reconciliation, or to tackle the root cause of conflict in ethnic areas.

A background Briefing Paper on EU Sanctions on Burma, ‘The European Union and Burma’ is available at: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/burma-briefing/title/the-european-union-and-burma

The Free Burma VJ campaign is delighted to confirm the release of all the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) video journalists (VJs) in an amnesty of political prisoners on 14 January 2012.

Seventeen VJs were in prison on highly arbitrary charges when the campaign began on 3 May 2011. For security reasons, only five of the VJs were named in the campaign. Four unamed VJs had been freed during a separate amnesty on 16 May 2011. On Friday 14 January, the remaining 13 reporters for DVB, some of whom had been serving sentences of more than 60 years, were released.

The Friday amnesty saw around 300 political prisoners freed from lengthy spells in jail, including high-profile dissidents such as Min Ko Naing and Ashin Gambira. In addition, many ex-intelligence, customs and government employees, including former prime minister Khin Nyunt, was released.

Aye Chan Naing, DVB chief editor, said: ‘’ They had done great journalistic work in exchange for their freedom.  We are very happy for them and their families. They are real heroes of DVB and we salute them.”

Géraldine May, the campaign coordinator, said: “The Free Burma VJ campaign won’t stop with the release of the VJs. We need to make sure they are safe and that their release is unconditional. For example, freed DVB reporter Sithu Zeya said conditions were attached to his release: if he commits any crime in the future, he will be forced to serve his full 18-year sentence. We also should keep in mind that more political prisoners remain behind bars.”

Since coming to power last year, Thein Sein’s military-backed government had only released just over 300 political prisoners, less than his predecessor Than Shwe when he came to power. 651 prisoners are being released today. It is not yet clear how many are political prisoners. However, many of those released today are reported to be high profile activists such as 88 Generation leader Min Ko Naing, ethnic Shan leader U Khun Tun Oo, and monk leader U Gambira.

The release of so many high profile prisoners is undoubtedly a major step, and a vindication of the strong line countries such as the UK and USA have taken in insisting that all political prisoners are released before major economic sanctions are lifted.

These releases take place after UK Foreign Secretary William Hague delivered a strong message that sanctions will not be lifted without real progress in key areas, including the release of all political prisoners. Late last year US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a similar message.

“I am so happy that my father and many other political prisoners are free at last,” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, and daughter of Ko Mya Aye, a political prisoner who was released today. “I am also worried though because they freed and then later arrested my father again in the past. The unjust laws under which he was jailed have not been repealed. I don’t feel sure that they won’t jail him again if he carries on his political activities.”

The way in which political prisoners are being released raises concerns that rather than releasing political prisoners because it is the right thing to do, they are being treated as bargaining chips in a tit-for-tat process in getting sanctions lifted and gaining international legitimacy. Some of those released today have been arrested and released on several occasions to try to avoid international pressure. The last time Min Ko Naing was released was on the eve of a debate on Burma at the UN Security Council, where a Resolution on Burma human rights abuses was being proposed.

The military-backed government is also still disputing that political prisoners even exist. Political prisoners are being released but with no apology and no acknowledgment that they should never have been in jail in the first place. They still have criminal records, and receive no compensation, no support for the medical care they need to recover from torture, mistreatment and psychological abuses. They receive no support to rebuild their lives. There is no attempt at reconciliation. Instead they are expected to be grateful for being released. All the laws under which they were arrested remain in place. Some political prisoners freed last year were just put outside prison gates in remote areas with no means of getting home.

It appears some or all prisoners are being released today with conditions that if they are arrested again they will serve the new prison terms, and the old prison term they didn’t finish serving will be added to it.

“Today we have something to celebrate, but the problem of political prisoners in Burma isn’t over yet,” said Wai Hnin. “Even if all 651 prisoners released today are political prisoners, that could still leave over 600 political prisoners in jail. The next step must be for the International Committee of the Red Cross to be able to go into jails to make an assessment of how many political prisoners are still in jail, and then they must also be released. None of these people should ever have been in jail in the first place.”

The Foreign Secretary made clear that the UK and European Union were willing to respond positively to real reform in Burma, but that there was still much more that needed to be done before sanctions could be lifted, including the release of all political prisoners.

“William Hague struck the right note in saying that there is opportunity for change, and that the UK and EU will respond positively if there is real reform, but that there is much more that still needs to be done,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK. “The message that the military-backed government should be judged by its actions, not its words, is spot on. So far they haven’t delivered on their promises, and most political prisoners remain in jail.”

During his two day visit the Foreign Secretary’s meetings included officials from the military-backed government, Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic political parties which are not banned by the government.

The British government has been one of the strongest in supporting international pressure to promote reform in Burma.

“The British government deserves credit for remaining more level-headed and realistic about recent changes in Burma than some other European governments,” said Anna Roberts. “While some welcome changes have taken place, human rights abuses have actually increased in the past year, including the use of gang-rape by the Burmese Army.  The UK must be prepared to block the premature relaxation of economic sanctions by the EU. To remove sanctions now just as they are starting to have a positive impact would be madness.”

Vaclav Havel was a longstanding supporter of human rights and democracy in Burma. He worked publicly and privately to support Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma’s democracy movement. He established human rights as a central tenant of Czech foreign policy, and the Czech Republic has continued to be one of the most robust European countries promoting human rights in Burma.

Burma Campaign UK staff and volunteers were privileged to have met and worked with Vaclav Havel on several Burma related initiatives. He was always ready to do anything he could to help the people of Burma.  Burma’s democracy movement has lost a great friend, and he will be sorely missed.

A series of small political changes during the summer and autumn of 2011, and the release of almost 300 political prisoners, generated much hope and expectation that there would be fundamental reforms in Burma. However, the pace of change has slowed, and expected releases of political prisoners have not taken place.

At the same time in ethnic states the military-backed government has broken ceasefire agreements with armed ethnic political parties, and the Burmese Army has been committing horrific human rights abuses against civilians, including gang-rape, torture, executions, mortar bombing civilian villages, and mass use of forced labour. Women’s organisations have documented more than 80 cases of rape by the Burmese Army, including the rape of a child and a disabled woman. This is likely to be an underestimate because of the stigma in admitting to being raped, and difficulties in accessing areas where conflict is taking place.

“The changes that have taken place are welcome, and people in Burma are hopeful, but so far the changes have largely only affected the Burmese equivalent of the ‘Westminster bubble’,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “At the same time human rights abuses, including rape and sexual violence by the Burmese Army, have increased, and this must not be ignored.”

The European Union maintains economic and diplomatic sanctions on Burma. Some EU members argue that the EU should lift some economic sanctions now, while others want to see concrete changes first, such as the release of all political prisoners, a nationwide ceasefire, and an inclusive dialogue process.

“There is a risk that Burma’s military backed government is only introducing changes in order to gain international legitimacy and get sanctions lifted,” said Mark Farmaner. “President Thein Sein talks about change while his soldiers rape children and burn villages. It is vital that William Hague delivers a clear message that no economic sanctions will be lifted while these abuses are still taking place.”

Burma Campaign UK is calling for a carefully calibrated response from the UK and EU, ensuring that encouragement is given in response to changes taking place, but at the same time not making too many concessions too fast, as this is likely to remove incentives for the military-backed government to continue reforms. 

Eddie Izzard is one of Britain’s foremost comedians and actors.

Eddie Izzard said, “We send our support to the people of Burma and I’m sure that the money raised from this charity gig here at The Dome in Brighton, will be put to good use to help their citizens continue the struggle to finally achieve democracy in Burma.”

When tickets went on sale earlier in November, the event sold out in record time, with all tickets sold in just a few hours.

“We are so grateful to Eddie Izzard for his generous support for Burma Campaign UK. He has helped raise awareness about the campaign for freedom in Burma and essential funds for our work,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director at Burma Campaign UK.

Burma Campaign UK worked closely with Brighton Dome and Festival for the 2011 Brighton Festival when Aung San Suu Kyi was Guest Director.

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Brighton Dome and Festival said, “Aung San Suu Kyi reiterated to us during Brighton Festival 2011 how important our events were in keeping alive the struggle for democracy, human rights and freedom in Burma and we were proud to play a part in that and celebrate such an inspiring woman through some extraordinary events in May.

“We are delighted therefore to continue this important relationship and support the work of Burma Campaign UK with this special event.”

Lu Lu, Hay Li and Maung Naing were released unconditionally and left Port Blair in the Andaman Islands on 18th November to join their comrades in Delhi.

The thirty-four were arrested 13 years ago, on 11th February 1998, on Landfall Island, by the Indian Military. They appear to have been tricked by a rogue Indian Military intelligence official, who had told them they could land there with the permission and support of the military. Although initially accused of gun-running, these charges were dropped, and last year a plea bargain was agreed in which they were told that each of them had to pay a six-thousand rupee fine, and given a three year sentence, which has already been served while waiting for, and during, the trial.

These thirty-four resistance fighters never intentionally broke any Indian law. They thought they were in India with the permission of the Indian government.

Burma Campaign UK and other organisations worldwide have been campaigning for their release. In February 2011, 38 organisations in 18 countries took part in a global day of action in support of the 34.

The thirty-four come from two ethnic nationalities in Burma, they are Arakanese and Karen. Both of these ethnic groups face persecution from the dictatorship ruling Burma. As members of two banned organisations, the National United Party of Arakan, and the Karen National Union, they would face arrest, torture and imprisonment if they were forced to return to Burma.

Burma Campaign UK published a detailed briefing on the case, available at: http://burmacampaign.org.uk/images/uploads/8-34-Freedom-Fighters-in-India.pdf