Written by U Ne Oo on 1992-10-08
1ST FLOOR 39 WAKEFIELD ST. ADELAIDE, SA5001.
Thursday 8 October 1992
TO:
RE: CONTINUING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BURMA(MYANMAR)
The Burma Support Groue Burma Support Group(SA) invites you to join in calling for the United Nations resolutions on Burma's political problems to be addressed. You and your group are invited to express a similar concern [1] to the Australian delegate to the UN. Your statement may be forwarded directly to:
H.E. Mr Richard W Butler AM
Australian Mission to the United Nations
885 Second Avenue
New York NY10017
United States of America
Outlined are our concerns regarding Burma with relevant details for your information. on. We recognize that the various committees e.g. CRDB, CDB [3] and DAB [4], are looking to each other for solidarity and continued communication in working towards democracy and the restoration of Human Rights in Burma.
The Burma Support Group(SA) [5] wishes to work with other like-minded groups and we would appreciate you contacting our secretary Ms Kribo Ackerman [(08)210 8172].
United Nation Resolution on Human Rights violations in Burma
Serious Human Rights violations occuring in Burma since the mili military took over the state power in September 1988 have been reported. Concerned with grave Human Rights abuses in Burma/Myanmar, the United Nations has appointed a rappoteur in October 1991. In the 46th session of United Nations General Assembly, the resolution on Human Rights abuses in Burma was adopted without a vote(meaning all votes are counted) and it has becomes a United Nations Recommendation.
SLORC's (the Military Government of Burma) response to the resolution was, not surprisingly, non-adoption and not a party y to it [6]. SLORC ignored the resolution (A/C.3/46/L.43) and showed no sign of transferring power to the elected National League for Democracy(NLD). Grave Human Rights abuses continue to occur throughout the country. Especially, at Thais-Burma border and Bangladesh-Burma border of killing, torture and rape by soldiers on unarmed-civilian population are being reported [7].
Burma-Rohingyas in Bangladesh
In the mid-December 1991, the Burma-Rohingyas cross the Naf river and began entering the Bangladesh territritory [8]. The SLORC response to the refugee problem was ``There are no refugees, only insurgents in disguise''[9]. This response is blatantly unjust, especially for Rohingyas who haven't been engaged in armed struggle [10].
There is no foundation for SLORC to persecute Burma-Rohingyas. There are assumptions that SLORC has made a political diversion; SLORC attempted to incite a religious conflict between Buddhist-Burmans and Muslim-Rohingyas[11]. After the UN resolution in November 1991 and the strange behavior of thehe army chief General Saw Maung [12] there is embarrassment within the army which may have led to a breaking point. Therefore, such a political diversion was created by SLORC . There have also been suggestions that the Rohingyas are traditionally known as illegal immigrants to Burma and persecutions of the Rohingyas may have helped to justify the army's role. However, the atrocities committed by the army to Rohingyas are so uncivilised that a political diversion as such for its motive is simply inadequate. There is no explanation to SLORC's madness and brutality.
In March 1992, Australian government commissioned the Hon. Justice Marcus Einfeld to visit the trouble spots and refugee camps in Asia, including Thailand and Bangladesh. In his report [13], Justice Einfeld described the extent of problems for Rohingyas.
The year 1992-1993 has been described as year of repatriations. Despite apparent lack of resources, the Government of Bangladesh has shown grave concerns for Burma-Rohingyas and treated the situation very humainly. Asly. As yet, no Rohingyas so far has been forced to return to Burma against their will. Unsupervised repatriation is simply immoral, knowing the record of human rights abuses by SLORC. The UN body must observed and monitor the process of repatriation and resettlement.
Although SLORC has conducted the persecution over Rohingyas in the form of racial or religious grounds, it must point out that the entire population of Burma is also under oppression. The refugee problem is the symptom of Human Right violations of Military being th the illness. One needs to make efforts to relieve the symptoms, while at the same time curing its illness. We must give attention to both Burma-Rohingyas repatriation/resettlement and the peaceful process in transfer of power to NLD.
IN CLOSING
With these objectives, Burma Support Group(SA) has been active in encouraging the Australian Government to take stronger stand against SLORC [14]. Any Government with a conscience and concerns about Human Rights violations ought to be working towards a resolution in the civcivil strifle in Burma. While UN General Assembly is still in progress [15], we request the Australian Government to sponsor following issues:
(a) Concerning with Rohingyas refugees in Bangladesh: The Rohingyas safe and early return to Burma is recommended. The United Nations bodies should supervised repatriation for Rohingyas, guaranteeing their safety.
(b) Concerning with the establishment for a democratic state: The Burma (Myanmar) Military Government must give a firm date on the transfer of power to to the elected National League for Democracy party. A fair and just constitution for the people of Burma must clearly be presented.
(c) To ensure the Burma(Myanmar) Military government to comply with the recommendation (A/C.3/46/L.43): The non-compliment of the resolution will incur an immediate international trade embargo.
Footnotes:
[1] A.1 The letter to the Foreign Affairs from the Secretary of BSG(SA)
[2] Committee for Restoration of Democracy in Burma.
[3] Committee for Democracy in Burma.
[4] Democratic Alliances of Burma.
[5] A.1 SA Catholics, July 1992.
[6] A.2 The press-release from Embassy of the Union of Myanmar(Burma) and the resolution (A/C.3/46/L.43) attached with.
[7] National Refugee Weeks presentation 17-June-1992 by the Hon. Justice Marcus Einfeld : This comprehensive report is available from AUSTCARE, The Refugee Council of Australia, International Commission of Jurist Australian Section,$ 20 a copy.
[8] A.3 JRS Report, August 1992.
[9] Burma Resource and AcBurma Resource and Action Kit from Australian Council of Churches: This informative publication is available from Australian Council of Churches, 379 Kent Street, Sydney, Box C199 Clarence Street PO, Sydney 2000.
[10] Though there have been some insurgency prior to 1970.
[11] Burma Resource and Action Kit by Australian Council of Churches.
[12] Far Eastern Economic Review, 13 February 1992.
[13] In his report, Justice Einfield describe "..... refugees arrived with minimal possession ... many people, especially the children and elderly, are in poor condition and malnourished .. most may not survive ..."
[14] Adelaide University Students Weekly, 3-August-1992.
[15] Usually held from 3rd September to Middle of December every year.
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