Uprising looms unless world community acts now on Burma

Burma’s repressive regime is once again, and assuredly not for the last time, cracking down violently on its own people as they engage in peaceful protests. And again, the oppression has prompted statements of condemnation and concern from the international community, notably the UN, US and EU.

Unfortunately for the people of Burma, however, the world body is too concerned with another geo-political agenda, the fight against international terrorism, to react effectively to the military regime’s systematic state terrorism against its own population.

The regime’s use of state-organized thugs to crack down on peaceful demonstrations in Rangoon and other cities against drastic increases in the price of fuel and other staples is a violation of existing laws. These physical attacks on innocent civilians are clearly terrorist acts committed by the state itself.

No legal action has yet been taken as a consequence of these attacks, even though the thugs wear no uniforms and have no legal authority to beat and detain other members of the public. The regime actually names these thugs “dutiful citizens.”

At its 99th plenary session on September 8, 2006, the UN condemned “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes.”

The resolution on the “United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy” stated that “acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations are activities aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy.” By this definition, the Burmese junta’s use of organized groups of thugs to attack peaceful demonstrators is nothing short of terrorism.

Yet, while such terrorist acts are deemed to constitute one of “the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the only response to emerge from the world body are statements of concern and condemnation.

The regime’s use of bullies in plainclothes to counter democracy movements actually began in 1996, when thugs armed with swords, iron bars, sharpened bamboo sticks and catapults attacked the motorcade of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she returned from a visit to the late National League for Democracy leader Kyi Maung.

Aung San Suu Kyi was again the target of regime-backed thugs in 2003 when her motorcade was attacked near Depayin Township, resulting in the violent deaths of scores of NLD members and innocent civilians. The perpetrators have never been brought to justice.

Among the international reactions to the latest outrages, an appeal has been directed to the British government by the opposition Conservative Party, calling on it to bring the issue immediately before the UN Security Council.

Such a move by Britain could, theoretically, result in the UN spotlight falling on the situation in Burma, since Rule 2 of the Provisional Rule of Procedure of the Security Council states: “The President shall call a meeting of the Security Council at the request of any member of the Security Council.”

But the chances of the British government taking it this far are slim, following the failure of the joint US-British proposal on Burma that was vetoed by China and Russia, two UN Security Council members with business interests and close relations with the Burmese generals.

The Burmese regime knows full well how weak the UN is in the face of the combined might of China and Russia, and feels free to step up its oppression at home, caring nothing for international criticism and pressure.

In the present state of affairs, Burma’s peaceful transition to democracy won’t occur while extreme militarism and state-sponsored terrorism hold the country in sway. The world community will surely see another bloody uprising unless international efforts are urgently stepped up to tackle the Burma issue concertedly and effectively.