Forum: Elections in Burma

Twenty years ago, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won the national election in Burma winning80% of the parliamentary seats. However, the military junta prevented the NLD from taking power and arrested its leaders. Since then the junta has continued to inflict horrific human rights abuses on its own people.

Another election has been promised by the junta for 2010 but repression, intimidation and new election laws effectively prevent anyone who opposes them from standing in this year's election. Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly are severe and likely to escalate as the vote draws near.

Given the political situation in Burma, it’s expected that this election will be somewhat of a farce. It’s important for people in the international community speak out against what is happening in Burma and push for the junta to be held to account. Likewise, it’s important for people to be aware of what is happening and speak out within their circles of influence. For these reasons, Amnesty International held a forum last night to talk about the issues in Burma in the lead up to the election.

One of the speakers, Dr Myint Cho, was forced to flee Burma after participating in the 1988 student protests. Before fleeing, he taught fellow students of the importance of democracy and human rights. He has continued to do this along the Thai-Burma border when possible, and more recently has spent time campaigning for democracy in Burma overseas. His name is on the junta’s wanted list and he’s not able to return to his home country. Dr Cho’s positivity and hope for change is inspiring however dire the situation in Burma is.

Benjamin Zawacki, the other speaker, is Amnesty International’s Burma and Thailand specialist having begun his work with them after the ‘Saffron Revolution’ in 2007. His knowledge of the situation in Burma, both in terms of the law and how it has affected the Burmese, was very insightful. Apparently people were forced to vote in favour of the new constitution in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and states that the current government cannot be tried for crimes against humanity.

There are over 2,200 political prisoners in Burma; a figure which has doubled since the Saffron Revolution. There is a great desire for democracy among the people of Burma, and I hope that the junta won’t be able to silence these voices for much longer.