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Evidence of Genocide

I would like to respond to the request that was sent out last week regarding gathering of evidence of genocide. This topic arose, I think, from the Burma Digest item which questioned the validity of certain ‘evidence’. In our Shan discussion group, we have seen a number of very good issues raised on the topic of ‘genocide and human rights’. I thought that I would bring together some thoughts of mine with the input from our group to give a view of how this topic should best be progressed.

Organisations

As far as I can see there are a number of very good Human Rights groups collecting information about incidents in Burma. In the www.tai4freedom.info resource page there are listed several groups that cover all of Burma and some that cover specific ethnic groups – such as SHRF and SWAN. These groups already have in place an existing methodology, structure and ethos for their work. They are presently doing an extremely good job at collecting data, so I am not sure why we would want to create or select another organisation to duplicate their work. Rather, I think that our own contributions could be used to encourage and support the work of the existing groups. How we do this depends on our circumstances, our location and our abilities; but I am sure that we all have something to contribute.

Reporting to the UN, etc.

Regarding reporting of information to the UN and world governments, I understand that this is already taking place; Charm Tong had the opportunity to tell President Bush directly, Havel/Tutu and their Washington Lawyers reported to the UN Security Council; Guy Horton reported to European governments; the US State Department seems to have its own information which agrees with the regular reports that we read, there are numerous news reports and articles from the pro-democracy organisations. So there are existing reporting mechanisms that have been effective. Of course, we haven’t yet seen the impact that these reports may have in bringing real change in Burma. We (and the Human Rights groups) should therefore continue in the process of information collection, collating and reporting in the same impartial and straightforward manner in which these reports have been presented.

Information collection

We have seen from various sources reports that there is a very serious concern regarding making details of dates, places and names of individuals involved available on a public internet site. The SPDC have the same level of access to public internet sites that we have – they can bypass their own firewalls to read the true news that is denied to the citizens of Burma. I think that it is of paramount importance to protect those who have been subject to the types of human rights abuse we have heard about. To expose them to continued persecution by the SPDC would be devastating to those who have faced such traumatic abuse. This has already happened in Shan State, where the SPDC downloaded pictures from a pro-democracy website of those celebrating the ISG declaration of Independence and sought them out one by one!

Regarding information, it is of course of utmost importance in convincing the international community that the information is accurate and reliable. Although we believe it, the apologists for the SPDC (e.g. China, Russia), rely on any inaccuracy or inconsistency to question the validity of the reporting – they will continue to question and dismiss even the most reliable and accurate reports, but those countries and organisations who are less stubborn will see the truth.

For reporting purposes, I would recommend that only bare facts and statistics are reported publicly and NOT names or places or details that could be (and would be) used by the SPDC to identify the victims and start abusing them over again.

I believe that the existing human rights organisations have the measure of this process and that they are in the best position to advise on how to collect and report data, and the sensitivity with which the people involved (victims, reporters, editors, etc.) and the information availability should be handled.

Suggestions about what we can do as a group

I suggest that we bounce a few ideas around and come up with the ideas that will help make progress.

I think that there is an important role for Burma Digest, and that is to provide a vehicle for the reports that are produced by the existing Human Rights organisations, and not to act as an information collection organisation. Burma Digest reaches many readers, but it is also a public forum. During preparation of this article, I was reminded that with democracy comes transparency – this is true and for those of us who live in a democracy we can abide by this rule. For those of our fellow men and women who live in oppressive dictatorships this is a rule that must sometimes be reversed; we must hold information regarding individuals at risk behind an impregnable solid wall of granite.

We look forward to hearing all of your views on these matters.

Tai Samyone 

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If you have evidences of genocide committed by military regime please contact burmadigest@tayzathuria.org.uk