Public
Statement
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DECLARATION OF THE REGIONAL STRATEGY MEETING ON BURMA We,
the participants of the Regional Strategy Meeting on Burma, from 40
organizations in 10 countries, met for 2 days in June in Thailand, AFFIRM THAT: ·
The
democratization of Burma is integral to freedom and democracy in the
entire region. ·
Tripartite
dialogue premised on observance of human rights and democratic principles
is essential to genuine National Reconciliation. ·
Free and
fair elections are a cornerstone to any democratic state, therefore the
outcome of the 1990 multi-party elections organized by the military regime
must be acknowledged. ·
ASEAN is a
key actor in determining the future of Burma, and therefore the future of
this region. ·
ASEAN and
the international community need to focus more effort and resources to
advocate effectively for genuine reforms in Burma. ·
Sanctions,
particularly economic sanctions, are vital non-military options to support
the democracy movement in Burma. Hence, the continuation and expansion of
such sanctions are needed. RECOGNISE THAT: ·
The
National Convention (NC) currently taking place in Burma is inherently
illegitimate. ·
The NC has
degenerated to a mass detention of more than a thousand people, lacking a
shred of credibility. With this, the regime has effectively doubled the
number of political prisoners in the country. ·
The SPDC's
conduct of the NC and the imposition of bizarre rules are desperate
measures designed to prevent any opportunity for delegates to absent
themselves. The junta's fear of further losing credibility over the NC is
proof that it is sensitive to international opinion and pressure. DEPLORE: ·
The SPDC's
continuing abuse of the human rights of the peoples of Burma.
Extrajudicial killings, looting, forced labour, forced relocation and
sexual abuse of women by the military, particularly in the ethnic
nationality areas, continue unabated. Hundreds of thousands of internally
displaced people continue to be denied the right to grow food to feed
themselves. ·
The
regime's continuing complicity in allowing drug production, trafficking
and money laundering to thrive. ·
The junta's
continuing aggressive program of military expansion, including
procurements of arms and expertise from Ukraine, Serbia, China, India,
Russia, Singapore and North Korea, which has exacerbated the severe
problems caused by its economic mismanagement. ·
The SPDC's
refusal to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo, consequently
destroying conditions conducive to meaningful discussion and dialogue,
further, the regime's conduct of the NC, which will lead to greater
domestic polarization and undermine National Reconciliation. ·
The
international community's willingness to allow the regime to play off the
interests of governments against each other, in order to prolong its own
oppressive rule. ·
Actions by
governments of the region that legitimize the Burmese junta, including
recognition of the Burmese generals as heads of state, and provision of
economic and political assistance to the regime. WELCOME: ·
The
flexibility and commitment to dialogue exhibited by the NLD and key
political parties, and their courage to act decisively in the face of
intimidation and harassment when the regime refused to abide by its own
promises. ·
The
cease-fire groups' public criticism of the NC. ·
The
continuing commitment of the pro-democracy movement inside Burma,
including ethnic nationality groups, to democracy, peace and a federal
state. ·
The
continuing efforts of exiled and refugee groups from Burma to promote
democracy, peace and a federal state, despite intimidation and harassment. EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT IN: ·
The United
Nations Special Envoy, for failing to act decisively and effectively. This
has prolonged human rights and political repression in Burma. ·
ASEAN's
practice of unconditional engagement, which has only served to encourage
the regime to further oppress the peoples of Burma. In doing so, the
regional grouping has disempowered itself and undermined capacity to
resolve conflicts in its own constituency. Burma's current situation is
proof that ASEAN's position is a miserable failure. ·
The refusal
of ASEAN member states to recognize the rights of asylum-seekers and human
rights activists from Burma, in contravention of the 1998 UN General
Assembly Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The security threats have
been worsening in the past year, particularly in Thailand and Malaysia.
Further, we are gravely concerned at the inability of the UNHCR to provide
adequate protection to a significant number of asylum seekers from Burma. DEMAND THAT THE SPDC: ·
Halt the NC
and instead, create conditions that will be conducive to a genuine
tripartite dialogue leading to a peaceful, political solution in Burma. ·
Declare a
unilateral nationwide cease-fire and stop military violations in the
ethnic nationality areas. ·
Release all
political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo and leaders
of ethnic nationality groups, further that it allow all political parties
to function freely. ·
Allow an
independent investigation of the Depayin Massacre. URGE ASEAN GOVERNMENTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO: ·
Cease
providing the regime with resources, including arms, equipment or
technical expertise that can be used for internal repression. ·
Withdraw
support for the NC and the regime's roadmap, and instead, insist on
tripartite dialogue premised on observance of human rights and democratic
principles. ·
Insist that
the SPDC release all political prisoners and declare a nationwide
cease-fire. ·
Develop and
implement a decisive, coordinated range of actions, including the
strengthening of the will and ability of the UN, to actively contribute to
the genuine democratization of Burma, and hence greater stability to the
region. ·
Actively
support the efforts of key individuals and groups, particularly the
elected representatives of the peoples of Burma, to promote democracy and
human rights. In
particular, we call upon ASEAN parliamentarian to take up the cause of
their colleagues in Burma, who have been elected yet denied the
opportunity to serve the will of their constituencies. Further, we urge
the governments to recognize the elected members of parliament as
legitimate representatives of Burma. We
also urge ASEAN to disqualify the SPDC from chairing the regional bloc in
2006, in the absence of irreversible steps to achieve National
Reconciliation, and political and economic reforms. CONFIRM OUR ENDORSEMENT FOR EFFORTS TO: ·
Achieve a
peaceful, political solution in Burma by key individuals and groups. ·
Sustain and
enhance engagement between Asean and Burmese democrats. ·
Convene an
international commission to investigate the Depayin Massacre. ·
Sustain and
widen sanctions against the military regime, including economic sanctions
and an embargo on military equipment and expertise. ·
Halt
military violations, including landmine use in Burma. In this context, we
encourage all military combatants to cooperate with the efforts of the
International Campaign to Ban Landmines. ·
Ensure that
humanitarian assistance requires clear accountability, transparency and
unhindered and direct access to communities in need, and is not used to
subsidize or legitimize the regime in any way. ·
Build
capacity in the movement and the region to develop and implement
strategies that will sustain and expand democratic processes. ·
Increase
the political participation of women and youth. ·
Support the
work of the women of Burma and their allies to address the critical
problem of sexual abuse and violence against women. Finally,
we reiterate our unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights and the
rule of law. We make this declaration believing that Burma's struggle is
our own struggle for freedom.
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