UN probe
June 27, 2011
Last week, a European Union delegation met several senior officials from Myanmar’s new government as well as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, raising hopes of some gradual movement towards political reform.
However, the high-ranking delegation, led by Robert Cooper, an advisor to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, wanted promises by President Thein Sein to be "matched by action" that would include a timetable for the release of the more than 2,000 political prisoners. The EU currently maintains sanctions against Myanmar, also known as Burma, because of its poor human rights record.
"Some of the EU officials believe that engagement is good under this new civilian regime," explained Aung Zaw, the editor of the online newspaper The Irrawaddy.
"There is renewed optimism," he added. "The EU thinks there will be tiny steps – not huge dramatic steps towards freedom. Suu Kyi herself is trying to stay away from detention or house arrest."
UN independent inquiry
Shortly after the delegation's visit, Suu Kyi, in a video message to a US congressional hearing, called on the international community to support an independent inquiry into the human rights situation in Myanmar that had been proposed by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tomas Ojea Quintana.
"The requests, urgings and demands of this resolution are very much in line with what we in Burma think is needed to start Burma along the genuine process of democratization," Suu Kyi said.
The US State Department said on Saturday it was "committed to seeking accountability for the human rights violations that have occurred in Burma by working to establish an international commission of inquiry."
Despite the formation of a new civilian government, the military still holds a tight grip on power thanks to the constitution that gives it wide powers. Rights groups have condemned the abuse of ethnic communities in eastern Myanmar.
"There is a real need for political dialogue and the so-called Burmese civilian government cannot lie to the international community again and again," said Soe Aung from the Forum for Democracy in Burma.
Sure and steady path to democracy
Suu Kyi has said she is willing to look at other methods to avoid direct confrontation with the government and she seems relatively optimistic. "With the help and support of true friends, I’m sure we’ll be able to tread a path to democracy. Not easily and perhaps not as quickly as we would like but surely and steady," she said.
She has announced plans for a political tour of Myanmar to launch political rallies throughout the nation. An attack by pro-military thugs during a similar tour in 2003 left several dead with Suu Kyi escaping injury after her vehicle was attacked.
Later this week, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is making an official trip to Myanmar. He will meet Aung San Suu Kyi as well as government officials.
Author: Ron Corben
Editor: Anne Thomas