Burma Democratic Concern today called for United Nations to take action on Burma’s longstanding political crisis(30/05/2008)

BDC 30 May 2008 Press Release

Burma Democratic Concern today called for United Nations to take action on Burma’s longstanding political crisis

United Nations must now take action on Burma not only cyclone affected humanitarian crisis but also political crisis because of which 50 million people of Burma are suffering day in and day out. Currently, United Nations seemed powerless and threading into the junta’s game plan. United Nations role in Burma is hypocritical of dealing with junta.

“I would like to question Ban Ki-Moon that how about the plight of the 50 million people of Burma if that is not the case something he would like to engage with junta for the time being and what is the extent will he appraise he think he should intervene in Burma apart from cyclone crisis, will he wait until like Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge massacre million of people and killing fields happen in Burma or will he wait until million of people will be murder like in Rwanda”, said Myo Thein, Director of the Burma Democratic Concern in United Kingdom.

Firstly, only to get visas for international aid workers, UN had to wait for two weeks even though victims of cyclone Nargis are at risk of dying if they do not receive assistance on time. Still, naval vessels from US, UK and France cannot access to do relief works in delta region, which is the worst hit area, and almost all of the infrastructures were wiped out during the storm.

“What is the purpose United Nations standing for if it cannot take effective action decisively and proactively rather than waiting and delaying? It should be the organisation worth trusty. Without UN or International Community intervention, Burmese people will have to pay for the price very dearly to get the freedom and to realize our democratic aspirations”, added Khin Maung Win, Director of Burma Democratic Concern in United States.

In the middle of tragedy, junta conducted planned referendum regardless of people’s lives and welfare. United Nations and International Community must not recognise junta’s sham referendum in which military government manipulated the result, rigged the votes and approved the draft constitution unilaterally.

“We have the reports that military government is intimidating the voters and forced the people to vote YES so as to entrench military dictatorship in Burma. In addition, according to the reliable sources inside Burma, military government is predated ahead referendum result as YES”, said Kyaw Lin Oo, Director of Burma Democratic Concern in Thailand.

On the very day of donor meeting, Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention expired for continuous five years and regime extended another more year even though under 1975 Emergency Law Section 10(b) does not allow anyone to detain more than five consecutive years. At the high of the storm, government shot 36 prisoners who demanded safety of their lives in Insein prison and 4 prisoners accused of instigating prison revolt were beaten to death during interrogation.

NLD youths walking to the Aung San Suu Kyi house were arrested and interrogated because of calling for release of people’s leader and speed up relief work in cyclone-affected area. Before and after Ban Ki-Moon visited to Burma, thousands of refugees were forcibly evicted from temporary camps.

To relieve mounting international pressure, even though junta agreed to allow in aid workers, still they face restrictions on the ground. Forced labour still existence in Burma and the orphans left due to the cyclone are facing very uncertain future. Only quarter of 2.5 millions cyclone survivors received the aid after three weeks cyclone struck Burma.

The solution for the crisis of Burma is to recognize 1990 election result to restore democracy and rule of law where everyone can enjoy the freedom of speech, press, beliefs and assembly that emphasizes the protection of individual rights.

For more information, please contact on,

Myo Thein
00 44 787 788 2386
[United Kingdom]

Khin Maung Win
00 194196126 22
[United States]

Kyaw Lin Oo
00 664107 9352
[Thailand]