In dilemma and a quagmire

by Maung Maung Hla Kyaing

Sunday, 30 November 2008 10:09

The current political development in Burma is ugly. The authorities are suppressing pro-democracy activists systematically by giving them lengthy prison terms longer than life imprisonment by using their unfair judiciary system. These long prison terms are in fact designed to intimidate the entire people and getting rid of all obstacles standing on their way of the '7-step roadmap'. And also these are punishment full of prejudice to all those defying their rule insolently. Even during colonial rule, there was a saying, '6 months' term for novice Thakin'. Now the junta's prison terms given to dissidents are 130 fold of it. (65 year sx12=780 months) U Tin Oo and Daw Suu are put under unlimited house arrest for their defiance against them. The ethnic leaders are serving long prison terms ranging from 80 to over 100 years. This is the challenge to all would-be dissident leaders. All of the pro-democracy and human right activists got two unfair punishments for their activities. The first one is long prison term and another one is transferring to remote prisons far away from their families to serve their prison terms. Both punishments are designed to break their morale. Year 2010 means from January to December, the entire year. We cannot say the fresh election planned to be held in 2010 is more than one year away. The SPDC didn't give the exact timetable as usual. When they want to do something, they will carry out in their hallmark manner of 3 'A' policy, abruptly rise up and arbitrarily implement their abrupt agenda. So we cannot rule out holding the election in early 2010. So it is not more than just little over one year away. The exact timeline can be known only unto SPDC top brass and their astrologers. In the latest en masse release in September last year, total 9002 prisoners were freed from jails. This is to deter the next September saffron revolution which took place in September 2007 and in their black magic practices or voodoo politics. If they feel safe after successful election as they expected within the framework of their unilaterally drafted constitution and install the government of their choice, they might grant general amnesty to all these political dissidents as a great saviour. Senior Gen. Than Shwe said that carrying out successful roadmap is the responsibility of every citizen. So the SPDC won't take a single step back from their planned roadmap and will implement it at any costs. All the pressures and persuasions will fall on deaf ears. The road is leading to their policy of 'my interest is supreme'. The SPDC will certainly satisfied and complacent with these long prison terms given to the dissidents. They might think of these dissidents are regretting their activities and will abandon their belief after getting these harsh punishments. They might think all the obstacles and hurdles standing in their way have been removed. But, on the contrary, these are counterproductive. These harsh punishments cannot scare even the mothers, sisters and brothers of these dissidents. Their morale and their belief are still intact. They are proud of their dear and loved ones, the prisoners of conscience. They defy and condemn these punishments and unfair trials. The people at home and abroad are full of wrath and rage. The international community including UN is condemning them. The UN Security Council passed a resolution to take action against human right violations committed by SPDC. The powerful countries are also planning to put more pressure on the junta. In recent days, the international awards were given to versatile artiste Ko Thura a.k.a. Ko Zarganar and Daw Suu. They stand by the weaker section. The two biggest challenges and Herculean tasks for the regime are 'rule of law' and economics. These repressive laws and unfair trials vividly show there is no rule of law at all in the country. Many lose faith in junta's governance without rule of law. In economics too, the junta does not have consistent and sound policy beneficial to the people. Thus the developments beneficial to the people can be hardly seen. The income inequality and income gap is widening more and more. The current global economic downturn and economic slowdown has started to affect Burma to some extent. In the long run, the scale of this effect will be clearer and more serious. As for other countries, they can bail out their economy and recover from the crisis. But as for the junta, they cannot manage to get out of this crisis because of the lack of good governance, rule of law and sound economic base. It is not yet late for the junta to reform themselves as the trusted and respected rulers of the country by listening to the voices of the people and carrying out their wishes. Only in this way, our country can stand as genuine democratic state steadfastly and they can be freed from their 'in dilemma and in quagmire' situation. Please reconsider your current path and rectify in time. < Prev   Next >