Human Rights

The Rights of the Burmese

A Nation caught in so much controversy needs a change, but the government is not willing to change for the people. Burma or Myanmar as you know has been through troublesome times for decades now. The citizens want a change; they want to have the human rights that allow equality and freedom. The government of Burma today will not listen to other nations. This turbulent era can only cease over time and with a heightened world awareness of the suppression of their human rights is the first step in providing grounds for a stand against this tyranny.

Burma is located in Southeast Asia located between Thailand and India. At one time this nation thrived being one of the richest countries in Asia, but since that time Burma has now become one of the poorest. When Burma had obtained independence from Britain their feature looked extremely bright. After independence everything turned in the wrong direction starting with conflicts for numerous years and then in the early 1960’s military began to take over under General Ne Win. The conflicts did not stop there, but in 1988 a new uprising began led by students showing times needed to change. These act of protests where attempted to be stopped, though not a humanitarian but by killing hundreds of these young student protesters.

image of "Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi" Myanmar News Agency / AFP - Getty Images file

Aung San Suu Kyi emerged during these protests as the pro-democracy leader many were seeking for. At this exact time a new threatening governmental force emerged as well, the Military Junta. Parliamentary had elections held in 1990 with Aung San Suu Kyi emerging victorious, but that was immediately put to a stop and Aung was arrested along with hundreds of other political leaders that the Junta did not see eye to eye with. During this governmental shift the countries name was also altered to what some people now know as Myanmar. Yet, since 1990 Aung San Suu Kyi still feels for a change to Democracy, yet she has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest by the Military Junta.

Turmoil has plagued Burma for decades now and its citizens cry for change. With all the problems occurring the Burmese had not said much, but in 2007 when the Junta decided to raise fuel and food cost the citizens finally made a move. Peaceful marches began protesting the economic problem burdening the people. In extremely poor country these people can barely live as it is on what they have so how can a government raise the cost of living? The government kept the prices raised and their reply to the protesters was nowhere near civil.

Protests being broken up by the Military--Taken by Reuters

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The peaceful protests were put to a stop by the government with severe force. Many political activists were arrested once again, like so long ago. Buddhist monks became involved soon after, leading peaceful walks through multiple cities. This was met with extreme force as well, hundreds arrested as well as many beaten and killed. This caused many protesters to run into hiding once again and now the hiding is done even by monks.

Many monks have gone into hiding along with many political activists. CNN reported that monks will not openly talk to journalist anymore. They are afraid to speak up now, as an ever growing pressure from the government is looming over their heads. Now with undercover officers lurking the streets watching citizens every move the words of the people have become more suppressed than ever. Though the monks do believe this is not the end and they will continue until the rights of the people are accepted.

Cyclone Nargis happened in early 2008 and is one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit Burma. The issue of how Burma is handling human rights aide to its people has been brought to many countries door step. The Burmese government is not providing the help that people need. Basic human rights have begun to be toyed with as if the government does not care as much as it should.

The cyclone aide is only piece of what is troubling the people. Voting has also begun to mean nothing to the people because they see now that they do not have a voice over what is to happen to the country. Many nations are now voicing their opinion and many hope the people of Burma can embrace freedom.

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Many nations believe China needs to take a stand and help the Junta of Burma treat its citizens more respectively and equally. As international journalist Kavita Shukla mentions in her article The international community's Responsibility to Protect, “Despite most of the international community’s frustration with the Burmese government, Burma’s powerful neighbours and trade partners China and India generally back the SPDC. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional forum of which Burma is a member, also avoids holding the government accountable for its transgressions and tends to strongly support the concept of non-interference in the country’s internal affairs”(8). The SPDC is the State Peace and Development Council, which the Military Junta has called their governmental movement since the election back in 1990. China does mind how the government of Burma handles its affairs as long as the ties between them economically are with held. Though others like Morton Abramowitz and Thomas Pickering in their article on Making Intervention Work believe the U.N. or even perhaps and another political group can “intervene” and bring a helping hand on the issues plaguing Burma. These two writers understand this is no easy task but they feel it is more than needed. They see the U.N. has possibly having a driving force for change, but they lack or are obstructed by certain abilities and laws to be able to “intervene” in the political matter of Burma.

That which is plaguing the citizens of Burma no small matter, no one should have to be troubled for so long on such issues. The government seems to be correlated with most to all the worries and dilemmas occurring in Burma for decades. Change is more than needed and the citizens know it and the people of the world should know it. Though as you can see no one nation can entirely help this demoralized country. Awareness of these issues needs to be raised and people must know or these people may never be released from this dark regime.