BURMA DIGEST

BURMA DIGEST

08.10.2006

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The world is not Blind

By Raluca Enescu

We have been stricken by terrible news: just after the UNSC announced putting Burma on its formal agenda, three of the most prominent student leaders, Min Ko Naing, U Htay Kywe and Ko Ko Gyi have been arrested by Police Special Branch, after dawn on September 27. They are not known to have been charged with any offence, though everybody in this world can see clearly why they are imprisoned. Now, that, due to dissidents and campaigners, both inside the country and worldwide, the Burmese military dictatorship is facing more pressure than ever, the repression of regime's opponents, of student leaders or NLD members, of thinkers who dare to contest the junta's totalitarian power is due to intensify.

In less than 24 hours, Amnesty International had already mentioned their case on a statement, calling for their immediate and unconditional release. The very next day, an on-line petition has been launched by worldwide campaigners (please sign it!). Collecting more than 1000 signatures in only a few days' time. Statements expressing deep concern and revolt towards their abusive imprisonment come from NGO's, as well as from some countries' governments, while international media, as well, reacted in short time.

One thing is for sure: the world cannot be blind anymore, when it comes to blatant human rights abuses. We are close to reaching that "limit point"_ from which, however either cynical or uninterested, we are not humanly able anymore to think that "the issue does not concern us". In a way, it was to be expected: in the last few years, Burma's case has gained a certain awareness in the conscience of the citizens of the world. Havel and Tutu have released their report concerning the necessity of UNSC acting on the issue, and campaign groups have responded to it by strong lobbying. Now the UNSC is to draw a resolution, the subject already becoming unavoidable.

To this very strong pressure, the junta responded in the only way they know: by arresting, torturing and killing the freedom fighters. The effect: even more pressure on them from foreign governments, from campaigners and simply from ordinary people, tired of witnessing the denial of most elementary human freedom and dignity.

We are now very close to a global movement from freedom in Burma. But will we remain aware and involved? I can't help but go back on Daw aung San Suu Kyi's words: "Please use your liberty to promote ours". We can hope that the student leaders will be released. We can hope that there will be democracy in Burma; yet hoping is not enough. We must use our freedom of speech, our power of involving, together. We are not blind!

(Please sign the petition “We Want our Student Leaders Released Immediately”)

Comments:

Pyay said _

Only releasing student leaders is not enough.

SPDC just DIVERT people attention from asking DASSK release to release of student leaders. Now people are urgently asking for (free student leaders). SPDC push pro-democracy people one step backward by diverting people attention from "free DASSK" to "free student leaders". But as people now more and more cannot withstand their pressure, their step backward attempt can lead to people's step forward, if people demanding by signaturing realease of students leaders transform to people's uprising. (now more than 100,000 signature despite threaten, wonderful and very potential situation).

Exiles should rely on not only inside people. When all you people left the country with what reasons? Remember it.

You cannot make action inside freely.
you though. you can do better in outside than inside country.

So exiles, expats are more responsible than inside people, accept the truth.
When the situation is potential, is about to happen people uprising, all exiles, expats should join or inside, outside should join together. Or make ready to fuel. Min Ko Naing has luck for people uprising. Now it's time to happen? You see his name: Min Ko Naing = Defeat (win) the king (government).

Your Comments here_