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Mizzima News
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 15:05 |
Without providing a civil environment respectful of basic human rights the junta's proposed referendum is a "sham", according to Human Rights Watch.
New York based Human Rights Watch, on Monday, gave notice that any referendum or election in Burma "should be conducted in an atmosphere of freedom and respect for basic rights, and not as a hollow exercise in the military's sham political reform process."
The rights to public debate, a neutral election committee and freedom of the press are just three rights fundamental to the holding of a free and fair election that the junta must guarantee, according to the international rights group.
Following a more than 14-year drafting process of the proposed constitution, which has not seen the participation of the National League for Democracy in over a decade and which Human Rights Watch argues attempts to entrench military rule, the organization is not optimistic on the prospect of change in the regime's behavior.
"In light of its massive crackdown on protests last year, there are no signs that the government believes in openness or debate," said Brad Adams, Asia Director for Human Rights Watch in the statement.
Adams cautions that there is a danger of international actors less critical of the regime to give a false sense of legitimacy to the junta's road-map by saying, "See, Burma is moving toward democracy; we should back off and give them a chance."
Beijing, New Delhi and Bangkok are singled out as pivotal actors, often accused of being too soft on the junta, that need to join with other international voices and increase pressure on Burma's generals to amend their ways. The United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to visit next week with Chinese authorities in Beijing at the onset of yet another regional tour.
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"We are at a critical point. Unless more aid gets into the country very quickly, we face an outbreak of infectious diseases that could dwarf today's current crisis," 
