Burma

A prosperous, peaceful land ravaged by despotic military rule

The Panglong Agreement

Prior to colonization by Britain, Burma was a collection of dynastic kingdoms, princedoms, and fiefdoms

People of Burma belong to tolerant and peaceful ethnic groups adhering to different religions — Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and animism

Burma in its present form is a political creation. Leaders of the Burman, Shan, Kachin and Chin signed the Panglong Agreement in 1947

They jointly demanded independence from the British. The Union of Burma, was founded on the basis of equality and co-independence.

From Parliamentary Democracy to Military Rule

Newly independent Burma was governed under a parliamentary democracy system

The military led by General Ne Win, staged a coup in 1962, scrapped the parliamentary democracy system and introduced military rule

The mostly Burman military leadership abolished democratic institutions, refused to honor the Panglong Agreement reached with non-Burman ethnic nationalities and decided to suppress fundamental rights of all citizens

The Politics of Military Oppression--1

Since 1988 the size of the armed forces has grown from 180,000 to more than 400,000.

The military expansion is made possible through huge revenues from drugs and foreign investments.

Around 50% of the national budget is used for the military.

The unnecessarily huge army is being used to suppress the people, to protect the personal wealth of the generals and to prop up the regime itself.

The Politics of Military Oppression--2

Military oppression has forced ethnic nationalities to fight to defend their homes against military columns that burn, loot, and kill indiscriminately

There are about 500,000 internally displaced persons

A further 120,000 are languishing in refugee camps in Thailand as externally displaced persons

There are more than a million Burmese migrant workers in Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and India.

The strife in Burma is not one between different ethnic groups but between the people and the military

‘Unity in Diversity’

The ethnic nationalities who co-founded modern Burma together with Aung San, the father of Aung San Suu Kyi, are committed to keeping Burma together.

They are faithful to the “unity in diversity” vision of the Union of Burma in accordance with the spirit of the Panglong Agreement

The ethnic nationalities aspire for a federal arrangement in

Burma, but the military has falsely accused them of attempting to break up the country

1988 People’s Power Uprising & 1990 Election-1

In 1988, the people launched a protest movement against the brutal military-socialist regime with hundreds of thousand marching on the streets to demand freedom and democracy.

The military staged a come-back coup, killing several thousand unarmed protesters.

It set up a junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council/SLORC.

Thinking the political party it supported would win, the military junta held an election in 1990. It promised to hand power over to the winning party.

1988 People’s Power Uprising & 1990 Election-2

Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the leaders in the “people’s power” uprising, became a national heroine.

Her party, the National League for Democracy, won a landslide victory in the election.

The junta refused to honor the results of the election and continues to rule with an iron fist.

The Struggle for Democracy Continues

Despite the oppression, people continue to aspire for change.

Both the Burman and the non-Burman ethnic nationalities continue to oppose the military and fight for democracy, freedom, equality, and self-determination

The junta’s massacre of thousands of unarmed and peaceful protesters and its refusal to honor the 1990 election has prompted the international community to support the democracy movement and Aung San Suu Kyi

International Pressure

The United Nations has passed resolution after resolution calling upon the junta to honor the 1990 election results and to engage in a tripartite dialogue as called for by Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic nationalities for a peaceful settlement of the strife in Burma.

International pressure, economic and other sanctions have left the regime, now known as the State Peace and Development Council/SPDC, isolated and without legitimacy and international economic and financial support.

As a result the junta started engaging in secret talks with Aung San Suu Kyi in October 2000

Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi advocates a peaceful solution to the Burmese political problems.

She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.

She has won 60 international awards and honorific titles so far

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is regarded as the main hope of the country as she is respected and trusted by both Burman and non-Burman ethnic nationalities

The Talks – 1 (October 2000)

Today’s Situation

The Talks - 2 Today’s Situation

Positive Indicators UN involvement Military leadership involved in talks Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s optimism Foreign visitors’ optimism

The Talks - 3 Today’s Situation

Negative Indicators

No substance known, no announcement in Burma Limited participation--a cause for concern No repressive laws repealed No guarantees for released political prisoners No laws to ensure democracy and human rights Forced labor, forced relocations, rights abuses

continue Over 1,800 political prisoners are still in prison Military offensive against ethnic peoples continues

Strengthening the dialogue process

Concerted and active international efforts to support the democratization process in Burma

International pressure and sanctions to be maintained until

Talks lead to real political issues

The parties are able to talk in freedom as equals

Goal of the Democracy & Ethnic Movements

The democratic and ethnic nationalities forces and Aung San Suu Kyi are determined to pursue a peaceful and orderly change through political dialogues with the military junta.

The democratic movement seeks a “win-win” solution for everyone, and does not seek vengeance.

The people of Burma are hopeful that the military will be able to overcome its fear of retribution, put their trust in the people, and come to respect the will of the people