Further Reforms Before Rewards

Aung San Suu Kyi started campaigning this Sunday for the upcoming by-elections in April (VOA, "Burma Democracy Leader Begins Political Campaigning". *Side note - Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "by-elections" as "a special election held between regular elections in order to fill a vacancy"*. The results will impact future interactions involving her pro-democracy NLD party, US diplomats, and the Burmese government. According to self-commentary on Sen. McConnell’s recent visit, most of US actions are heavily influenced by Suu Kyi’s approach to her country’s government as they have been in the past regarding sanctions. He has said that, "it was too soon to lift sanctions but was open to rewarding the government for further reforms [and would] take his cue from Suu Kyi." In the past, the Clinton and Bush administrations tried to persuade the military to honor the NLD’s 1990 election victory (AP, "In divided US politics, rare agreement on Myanmar").   

Well I think it's rare for our current Congress to actually agree about a foreign policy issue.  However, there are a few voices of dissent such as "Republican leader of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, FL Rep. Ros-Lehtinen has called concessions to the military 'grossly premature.'" (see above AP article). While I think she might be phrasing it too harshly, I do agree that the US should proceed with caution and lengthen the exchange timeline so that the military will realize reforms are mandatory but will not necessarily be reciprocated. 
The reforms are in large part motivated by lagging economic development and the pressing need to liberalize so as to attract a wider range of trade partners.  According to one Burmese representative at the World Economic Forum currently being held in Davos, "Burma is trying to create an investment friendly environment and attract interest from some of its neighbors, like Thailand, Bangladesh, India and Laos, in addition to China, the United States and the European Union" (VOA, "Burmese Trade Minister Promises More Reforms").  As the first Burmese delegation to a WEF, it is "sign of positive changes" in Suu Kyi's opinion.  But as always, treat these efforts to open up with careful consideration.
I would recommend that the US government consider a gradual easing of sanctions after an intense evaluation of the April elections.  One of the organizations we met in Thailand, the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, put out a statement saying,“First we need from the Burmese regime is to release all political prisoners. Second is to help [achieve] nationwide peace and third, to allow citizens to set up human rights organizations in order to promote and protect human rights. [Only after] we receive those things we should consider lifting sanctions” (VOA, "Rights Groups Urge International Community to Maintain Burma Sanctions").  On the other hand, some critics suggest lifting sanctions sooner so that aid organizations have the means to help out communities in immediate need.  At the same time, there are over 1000 political prisoners in ethnic areas that need to be released from terms that they never should have received in the first place.  Furthermore, there are still many Internally Displaced Persons, child soldiers, the continuation of human trafficking and forced labor, etc.  U.S. Ambassador for human trafficking, Luis CdeBaca recommends "a more robust victim identification (program)" that can help victims in Burma as well as in neighboring areas (VOA, "US Calls for Burma Military to Account for Human Trafficking").  The government must also address "Burma's archaic laws [that] allow conscription of workers for public projects" (TIME, "Envoy: Burma Weak on Human Trafficking").   It's not all up to the US either, there should be a collaborative effort to work on a multilateral level with international and regional bodies to monitor Burma while applying strategic pressure to ensure further developments regarding human rights and democracy.

Peace,
Christine

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

An unexpectedly warm day welcomed us back to campus today for the first day of the spring semester. Already we have ideas for post-trip activism, discussed during one of the "reflection" sessions during the trip. Among these are: photography exhibition, film screening, guest speakers from US Campaign for Burma or the US Institute for Peace, etc. We are also planning to restart the AU chapter of the Student Campaign for Burma this semester.

Major developments have been observed even as we left the Thai-Burma border region. For example last Friday, 651 prisoners, including high-profile former politicians, democracy activists, monks, etc.
Perhaps a little too swiftly, the U.S. reciprocated with an announcement that it granting full diplomatic ties with Burma after a 20-year absence (http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/US-Will-Post-Ambassador-in-Burma-Move-Follows-Prisoner-Release-137309338.html)

However, there are still 1547 political prisoners currently incarcerated in Burma yet to be released (figures from the Assistance Assoc. for Political Prisoners, Jan. 2012). More recent news suggests a possible lifting of sanctions depending on the upcoming by-elections on April 1 (http://www.npr.org/2012/01/03/144629632/u-s-keeps-pressure-on-myanmar-for-political-change). Let's hope that the Burmese government doesn't celebrate April Fool's Day.

*Coming soon: posts from our members about the trip! Thoughts, memories, photos, etc.

Proof of Human Rights Abuses at the Hands of the Burmese Army

We need immediate resolutions to these injustices. They are blatant violations of the terms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from inhumane rape, torture, forced labor, etc. Fighting for these rights is why our team is going to Thailand to work with NGOs and refugees firsthand. Afterwards, we are still obligated to convey the human rights message to our community in the US. Along with the many other overlooked conflict zones, Burma has not gotten the attention that it needs - we hope that evidence like this will continue to be disseminated so that the mainstream media will catch on and bring further awareness to the civil war and genocide that Burma has suffered for decades.

Please discuss using the comment box or tell us your thoughts during Sat. training.

1. Bringing Justice to Women of Burma


2.Journeyman Pictures is an excellent media agency that focuses on conflict zone stories - they have a lot of ones on Burma on their Youtube channel. Here's a great one:

Burma - New US Drugs War
http://youtu.be/_IjAvLXMdo8

3. Convict Porters - DVB (forced labor)


4. On a more positive note, the NLD has set up schools where children can attend for free! No more propaganda-filled curriculae!!

Democratic Voice of Burma TV - Education on the move in Burma


Again, please comment on whatever you want - feelings, criticisms, rants, etc!

I think both China and the US are trying to exert power of the new regime of Myanmar. Not a good thing when China steps in my opinion....
- Hong

 Myanmar: A Welcome From China

By KEITH BRADSHER

 

Published: November 28, 2011

Vice President Xi Jinping of China welcomed the leader of Myanmar’s military on Monday in a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and called for closer military ties between the countries, in what appeared to be a response to the visit by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Myanmar later this week.

Related

• As Myanmar Eases Controls, U.S. Sees Diplomatic Opening(November 19, 2011)

• Times Topic: Myanmar

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Mr. Xi, the heir apparent to President Hu Jintao, met Min Aung Hliang, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s military, and said that China would “work with Myanmar to further bolster the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation,” according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.

Myanmar has been a close ally of China for decades, as Mr. Xi also pointed out. But new leaders in Myanmar have begun to tolerate some political freedom and have started mending ties with the West, prompting President Obama’s decision to send Mrs. Clinton there.

Myanmar and China share a long and often porous border, and Chinese companies have built dams, pipelines, highways and other big projects in Myanmar for many years, even as most Western governments and companies shunned the country because of its human rights abuses.

Alternative Break Session 5: 11/19

Icebreaker Activity about Identity

Purpose of the activity: What have we learned about ourselves and the other people around us?

The trouble around diversity, then, isn’t just that people differ from one another. The trouble is produced by a world organized in ways that encourage people to use difference to include or exclude, reward or punish, credit or discredit, elevate or oppress, value or devalue, leave alone or harass (Privilege, Power, and Difference, 2001, by Allen G. Johnson)

Social Identity: race, class, gender, ability, age, religion, sexual orientation, language

Experiences privileges: Middle-aged white men, middle class (?), women and men, Christian - where?, Jewish, middle-aged people in traditional occupations, technology occupations - youth, heterosexuals, English (American)

Experiences oppression: Latino/Hispanic, Asian, Black community, middle class (?), women and men, transgender, non-gender confirming, mental/learning disability, Muslim, outwardly religious people, senior citizens, non-heterosexuals, non English speakers, accents

Definition of an ally: “An individual who experiences privilege and rejects the dominant ideology; taking action against oppression out of a belief that eliminating oppression is mutually beneficial to both people who experience privilege and people who experience oppression.”

Characteristics of an ally:

1. Comfortable with/proud of their own identity

2. Takes responsibility for their own education

3. Acknowledges unearned privileges

4. Recognizes unlearning racism, etc. as a lifelong process

5. Willing to take risks; try new behavior

6. Acts against social injustice in belief their own self interest

7. Uses privilege to work against oppression

Article #1: BBC News - Suu Kyi’s NLD democracy party to rejoin Burma politics

Article #2: Burma law to allow labour unions and strikes

- Positive press regarding Burma lately

- Is the change cosmetic?

- More press could be an impetus for the Burmese government to change; more governments could hold them accountable

- Burma has a chair in ASEAN

- Schedule prisoner was released this upcoming Monday

- Can Aung San Suu Kyi’s involvement in government help?

- How would ethnic minorities feel about the move?

- Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burman (majority) representing the minority groups

Cultural Presentation #1 by Erin Q: Thai language phrases - Erin will send us links online.

Cultural Presentation #2 by Erin O: Thai Do’s and Don’ts when traveling, courtesy of Erin’s Thai friend (advice given for her boyfriend from Ohio). Feet are considered dirty! Do not point your feet, and try your best not to cross your legs. Don’t wear a lot of jewelry. You may get robbed. *Please refer to the handout

CBO/NGO #1: Monk Chat - University program that provides an opportunity for foreigners to chat with monks informally on general topics that include the monk’s way of living, Thai culture, Buddhism, etc. *Please see handout

CBO/NGO #2: Democratic Voice of Burma - Norwegian non-profit organization run by Burmese expatriates that has four primary goals:

1. The provision of “accurate and unbiased news to the people of Burma”

2. To “promote understanding and cooperation” among Burma’s religious and ethnic populations

3. To “encourage and sustain independent public opinion” and to provide for “social and political debate”

4. To “impart the ideals of democracy and human rights” to the Burmese people

Travel tips:

1. Do not travel by yourself. Use the buddy system!

2. Do not mention the BBL because the Burmese immigrants’ livelihoods in Thailand will be endangered because they are illegal. Just say that you are a tourist.

3. Be responsible with your passport and money. *We will exchange our money there

4. Beware of tuk-tuks that approach you. You must approach them. The same rule applies to taxi drivers. Taxi drivers must turn the meter on. Use the pink taxis. They are reliable in Bangkok.

Clinton Set to Visit Myanmar as Obama Cites Progress

BANGKOK — Citing “flickers of progress” in Myanmar’s political climate, President Obama announced Friday that he was sending Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on a visit next month, the first by a secretary of state in more than 50 years.

Enlarge This Image

Jason Reed/Reuters

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India with President Obama in Bali, Indonesia, on Friday.

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The decision was announced in Bali,Indonesia, where nations from Southeast Asia were meeting on Friday with leaders from across the Pacific Rim, including the United States, China and Japan.

“For decades Americans have been deeply concerned about the denial of basic human rights for the Burmese people,” Mr. Obama said. “The persecution of democratic reformers, the brutality shown toward ethnic minorities and the concentration of power in the hands of a few military leaders has challenged our conscience and isolated Burma from the United States and much of the world.”

But he added that “after years of darkness, we’ve seen flickers of progress in these last several weeks” as the president and Parliament in Myanmar have taken steps toward reform.

“Of course there’s far more to be done,” Mr. Obama said.

The decision to send Mrs. Clinton came as Myanmar took another step away from its diplomatic isolation on Thursday when its neighbors agreed to let the country, which had been run for decades by the military, take on the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014.

Myanmar has long coveted the rotating chairmanship of the organization, known as Asean. The country renounced its turn in 2006 in the face of foreign pressure over human rights abuses.

“It’s not about the past, it’s about the future, what leaders are doing now,” the Indonesian foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, told reporters in Bali about the chairmanship. “We’re trying to ensure the process of change continues.”

Myanmar inaugurated a new civilian system this year after decades of military rule. The new government, led by a former general, Thein Sein, has freed a number of political prisoners, taken steps to liberalize the nation’s heavily state-controlled economy and made overtures to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel laureate who was released from house arrest last year.

In a telephone conversation flying from Australia to Indonesia, Mr. Obama sought assurances from Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi before approving the visit and she “confirmed that she supports American engagement to move this process forward,” Mr. Obama said.

Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party won elections in 1990, but the result was ignored by the military. Her party, the National League for Democracy, has said it will decide on Friday whether to rejoin the political system after having been de-listed as a party by the junta.

Source:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/world/asia/myanmar-will-lead-asean-group.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Youtube Videos - Backgrounder on Burma

I gathered some clips from Youtube that provide a bit of information on the situation in Burma concerning human rights abuses, the 2010 election controversy, the Saffron Revolution, etc. A few of the videos are from the awesomely hard-working guys at US Campaign for Burma - PLEASE SUPPORT THEM! www.uscampaignforburma.org







http://youtu.be/W0VlzHiYHis - only link available, professionally produced by Journeyman Pictures.

This last video is special because we had the opportunity to meet Myra Dahgaypaw, USCB's Campaigns Coordinator for one of our training sessions. She was also at our protest against the Myitsone Dam project.