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1992: BSG(SA) ACTION ON ROHINGYA
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/* ------------" 1992: BSG(SA) ACTION ON ROHINGYA "------------ */
BURMA SUPPORT GROUP(SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
------------------------------------
1ST FLOOR 39 WAKEFIELD ST. ADELAIDE, SA5001.
--------------------------------------------
Thursday 8 October 1992 Tel:(08) 210 8172
TO:
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
RE: CONTINUING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BURMA(MYANMAR)
----------------------------------------------------
The 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 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
Phone: 1 212 421 6910
Fax: 1 212 371 5843.
Outlined are our concerns regarding Burma with relevant details for your
information. We recognize that the various committees e.g. CRDB (Committee
for Restoration of Democracy in Burma), CDB{Committee for Democracy in Burma}
and DAB{Democratic Alliances of Burma}, 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, A.1 SA Catholics, July 1992.] 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 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 to it [A.2]. 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 territory [A.3]. 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.
After the UN resolution in November 1991 and the strange behavior of the
army chief General Saw Maung [A.4] 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 [A.5], 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. 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 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
[A.6]. Any Government with a conscience and concerns about Human Rights
violations ought to be working towards a resolution in the civil 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 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 Catholic, July 1992
[6, A.2] The press-release from Embassy of the Union of Myanmar(Burma) and the
reslution (A/C.346/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 Councial of Australia, International Commission of Jurist
Australian Section, $20 a copy.
[8, A.3] JRS report, August 1992.
[9] Burma Resource and Action Kit from Australian Council of Churches: This
informative publication is available from Australian Council of Churches,
379 Kent Street, Sydney, Box 199 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, A.4] Far Eastern Economic Review, 13 February 1992.
[13, A.5] In his report, Justice Einfeld describe ".... refugees arrived
with minimal posession ... many people, especially the childeren and
elderly, are in poor condition and malnourished ... most may not
survive..."
[14, A.6] Adelaide University Students Weekly, 3 August 1992.
[15] Usually held from 3rd September to Middle of December every year.
APPENDICES(MARKED AS A.* IN FOOTNOTE)
-------------------------------------
* A.1 LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF BURMA SUPPORT GROUP
----------------------------------------------------
BURMA SUPPORT GROUP
C/O ADJPC
39 WAKEFIELD STREET
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Thursday 1 October 1992
Ms Merry Wickes
Director
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
55 Currie Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Dear Ms Wickes
The Burma Support Group (SA) requests that you advise the Australian
representatives to the United Nationa General Assembly of our continuing
concern over human rights violations in Burma.
Specifically we request the Australian representatives to advocate in the
United Nations for:
1. an inquiry into human rights violations in Burma,
2. an inquiry into abuses against rohingyas who have fled into Bangladesh,
and establish guarantees of their safe return to Burma,
3. a firm date for the transfer of power to the democratically elected
representatives of the people in the 27 May 1990 elections and a firm date
for a just Constitution.
Non compliance from Burmese government should incur trade sanctions from
the whole international community.
Yours peacefully
Sd. Ms Kribo Ackerman
Secretary
* A.1 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC, JULY 1992
----------------------------------------
BURMA SUPPORT GROUP FORMED HERE
-------------------------------
A small group of people of diverse backgrounds but with a common concern
about the situation of the people of Burma has formed the Burma Support
Group(SA).
The group has the endorsement and support of the Adelaide Diocesan Justice
and Peace Commission.
The group wishes to bring to the attention of South Australian Community
the plight of the people of Burma living under the military junta known as
the State Law and Order Restoration Council(SLORC), which has refused to
hand over power to the legitimately elected National Democratic Party.
BSG-SA activities include:-
* Lobbying the Australian Government for a scholarship scheme for Burmese
"person of concern" to United Nations High Commission for Refugees and at
present in Thailand
* Lobbying for the inclusion of some Burmese refugees in the special
assistance category for admission to Australia even if temporarily.
* Networking with other Burma support groups in Australia and overseas.
* Disseminating current information about Burma.
For more information contact the convener (Budi); the secretary(Kribo); or
the ADJPC(210 8172)
* A.2 PRESS RELEASE FROM THE EMBASSY OF UNION OF MYANMAR (IN 1992)
----------------------------------------------------------------
EMBASSY OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR: NEWS BULLETIN
22 ARAKANA STREET, YARRALUMLA, CANBERRA. A.C.T. 2600
SPECIAL ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 1991
AT THE 46TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HIS EXCELLENCY
U KYAW MIN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR MADE A
STATEMENT TO THE DRAFT RESOLUTION A/C.3/46/L.43 REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS
QUESTIONS: HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS AND REPORTS OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS AND
REPRESENTATIVES, ON 25 NOVEMBER 1991, WHICH WAS ADOPTED WITHOUT A VOTE.
IN HIS STATEMENT, THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, AMONG OTHER POINTS, TAKES
NOT OF THE FACT THAT IN THE SPIRIT OF MYANMAR'S UNBROKEN TRADITION OF
FAITHFULLY OBSERVING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER AND CLOSELY COOPERATING
WITH THE UNITED NATIONS EVER SINCE MYANMAR REGAINED INDEPENDENCE, IN
DEFERENCE TO THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY A GREAT MANY DELEGATIONS
REPRESENTING GOVERNMENTS WHICH BEAR GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS
MYANMAR AND OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE STRONG APPEAL MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN AT
THE OPENING MEETING OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE THAT DELEGATIONS SHOULD
COOPERATE TO ENABLE DRAFT RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED WITHOUT A VOTE, THE
MYANMAR DELEGATION HAD DECIDED NOT TO REQUEST A VOTE ON L.43. THE PERMANENT
REPRESENTATIVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE MYANMAR DELEGATION IS NOT TAKING PART
IN THE ADOPTION OF THIWS DRAFT RESOLUTION AND WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO IT.
FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT MADE BY HIS EXCELLENCY U KYAW MIN, PERMANENT
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR, AND THE RESOLUTION ARE ATTACHED
HEREWITH.
* A.2 CONTINUES(Draft resolution attached)
----------------------------------------
ANNEXURE: Forty-sixth session
THIRD COMMITTEE
DRAFT RESOLUTION A/C.3/46/L.43
25 November 1991
HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS: HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION AND REPORTS OF
SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Situation in Myanmar
--------------------
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming: that all Member States have an obligation to promote and
protect human rights and fundamental freedoms stated in the Charter of the
United Nations and elaborated in the Universal declaration of Human Rights
1/ and the International Convenants on Human Rights 2/ and other applicable
human rights instruments.
AWARE that,in accordance with the Charter, the Organization promotes and
encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and
that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "the will of
people shall be the basis of the authority of government".
RECALLING that the Government of Myanmar has assured the General Assembly
and other United Nations bodies of its intention to take all necessary
steps towards democracy in the light of the election held in 1990.
NOTING WITH CONCERN substantive available information indicating a grave
human rights situation in Myanmar.
WELCOMING the Secretary-General's statement on the award of the Nobel Peace
Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi and his repeated appeals for her early release
from house arrest.
1. TAKE NOTE of the assurances of the Government of Myanmar to take firm
steps towards the establishment of democratic State and looks forward to
the early implementation of the commitment;
2. EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN at the information on the grave human rights
situation and stresses the need for an early improvement of this situation;
3. URGES the Government of Myanmar to allow all citizens to freely
participate in the political proces in accordance with the principles of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
4. DECIDES to continue its consideration of this question at its
forty-seventh session.
* A.3 JRS REPORT ON ROHINGYA REFUGEE CAMPS(1992)
----------------------------------------------
JRS REPORTS ON THE ROHINGYAN REFUGEE CAMPS IN BANGLADESH
AUGUST 1992
Just under 300,000 Burmese refugees are spread through 15 refugee camps
located along the southernmost regions of Bangladesh. This estimate of
their numbers was given in mid-July 1992.
The Burmese, known as Rohingyas, began arriving in southeastern Bangladesh
early last year, but the refugees really flooded across the border in
December 1991, as they fled military persecution in northwestern Arakan,
Burma's only Muslim-majority state.
The Governments in Dhaka and Rangoon signed an agreement on April 28 for
repatriation of the refugees in six months from May 15. But unexplained
"technical" problems have delayed the Rohingyas departure. Bangladesh can
not force the Rohingyas out becuase the agreement provides for voluntary
return.
The refugees insist they will not go back unless Burma allows the United
Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to supervise the repatriation
and resettlement. The Burmese fled anti-Muslim opperssion, forced
conscription, rape and confiscation of crops and properties and now monsoon
rains have underlined their plight as they languish in Bangladesh as
victims of two very poor and difficult governments. The April agreement
pledged no improvements to their legal status nor gave any guarantee that
they would be returned to their land and houses.
There are a large number of local Bangladeshi NGO'S working among the
Rohingyas, together with some international NGOs who are involved mainly in
supplementary feeding and emergency medical programs. The refugees are
banned from cutting firewood inside the camps, after critics pointed to the
depletion of forest areas, and they can no longer trade rations like
lentils for alternative sources of proteins as the camps are no longer open
to outsiders coming in or insiders going out of the camps.
Rain hs excerbated the problems of sanitation, shelter, food and access. In
mid-July additional efforts to start sanitation education began in a few of
the camps and to take extra precautions including reinforcing latrines that
had become flooded. It has been reported that during the rainy season at
some camps, patients and medical teams wade through deep mud because even
heavy-duty vehicles cannot get thourgh. One confirmed case of cholera has
been reported.
Workers worry about the deteriorating condition of the refugees childern.
The most needy childern are provided with therapeutic or supplementary
feedings in the NGO organized Feeding Centers in each camp.
The Outreach programs and medical work which reach a large number of the
Rohingyas are very important. Prevention and early treatment are always
most critical.
A special program teaches new community health workers and is seeking out
Rohingya birth attendants to teach them, initially in the ante-natal
clinic. There are two doctors, one from Canada and the other from the
United Kingdom, working in the four camps along with nurses who provide
basic health care and health and sanitation guidance.
The NGO workers have been asked by the refugees to guarantee that they will
not be repatriated to Burma, and by the Bangladeshi Commander-in-Charge to
try to motivate the people to cooperate. Of course, they cannot do either -
as no one knows what will happen. All the NGOs involved in the Bangladeshi
camps are and will remain neutral.
World attention is needed now as it will be too late when the death
statistics are finally released. Shall we once again have to say "We did
not know, becuase no one told us" ?
* A.4 FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW, 13 FEBRUARY 1992
-------------------------------------------------
GENERAL MALAISE
BURMA: SLORC chief's sickness could start a power struggle
BY Bertil LIntner and Rodney Tasker in Bangkok
When the authorities in Rangoon announced on 29 January that the
military-dominated Burmese Government had been expanded to include seven
new ministers, of whom four were civilians, few observers were prepared to
interpert the move as a step towards any real change of Burma's strictly
centralised power structure.
Of far more significance were reports filtering out of Burma that the junta
leader, Gen. Saw Maung, is becoming increasingly unable to serve as head of
the country. This could herald the beginning of a power struggle within the
rulig military.
When the State Law and Order Restoration Council(SLORC ) assumed power on
18 September 1988, after suppressing a nationwide uprising for democracy,
it set up a nine-member cabinet in which ministers held two or even more
portfolios each. "The fact that only a few persons have been assigned a
large number of portfolio resonsibilities is clearly indicative that there
is no desire whatsoever to cling on to power for a long period," Saw Maung
said in a speech five days after the formation of the SLORC. The original
idea, as experssed by the military in 1988, was to set up an interim
administration pending general elections.
That election was held in May 1990, resulting in a landslide victory for
the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The
SLORC, however, refused to convene the elected assembly. Instead, hundreds
of NLD activists were rounded up. According to a report released at the
86th Inter-Parliamentary conference in Santiago, Chile, last Octover, 65
elected MPs have been arrested.
Others have fled to rebel-held areas along the Thai border, or to India.
"If any thing, the expansion of the cabinet shows that the outcome of the
election has been declared null and void -- and that a more permanent,
still military-cominated administration has been put in place," an ovserver
said.
No important policy change are expected as a result of the new cabinet
lineup byut the deteriorating state of Saw Maung's health could have
far-reaching consequences for the SLORC, as divisions within the ruling are
becoming increasing evident, analyst say. Earlier reports that he had
suffered a nervous breakdown appear to be correct, according to reliable
sources in Rangoon. They say Saw Maung collapsed and lost consciousness for
40 minutes on 17 December and had to spend two days at Rangoon's Military
Hospital No.2.
The news spread quickly. After is was carried by the intarnational media,
other SLORC members apparently felt the need to respond by organising
stage-managed appearances for the ailing general. For almost a month after
the incident, the state-run Working People's Daily publishes almost daily
reports of Saw Maung attending various ceremonies and visiting Buddhist
monastries across the country. But even in the accompanying pictures, the
general looked dazed and battered.
The deterioration of his health become obvious on 21 December, when Saw
Maung was going to be the first tee-off at a tournament at the military
golf course in Rangoon. In front of Burma's top brass and government
officials, Saw Maung reportedly began screaming:"I am King Kyansittha! I am
King Kyansittha!" Patting his holstered pistol, Saw Maung warned onlookers
to be "careful" or "I will personally kill you."
His reference to one of the kings of the ancient Pagan empire was
especially eccentric. Kyansittha, a powerful king whose name means "the
remaining soldier" or "the one who was left behing," was the main character
in a Moses-like story of a man who survived attempts to kill him to become
king. Saw Maung may have seen himself as the only SLORC member who also
served with the pre-1988 regime.
Astoundingly, Saw Maung's erratic performances was repeated in full view of
the Burmese public exactly a month later when Burmese television showed him
addressing a meeting of local SLORC officials. His rambling, incoherent
speech also contained references to Kyansittha, the old regime and various
Buddhist scriptures.
In the middle of the speech, Saw Maung exclaimed: "Today the country is
being ruled by martial law. Martial law means no law at all." He concluded
by telling the bewildered ardience that "I always work with caution,
perserverance and wisdom. Wisdom does not mean black magic."
Saw Maung is said to be suffering from diabetes. This, combined with heavy
drinking and the strain he has been under following repeated international
condemnation of his government, including a resolution on November 1991,
may have contributed to his strange behaviour.
Doubts have been raised as to how much longer Saw Maung can remain head of
the SLORC without cousing embarrassment to the government. This, in turn,
has exposed the main weakness of the present administration in Burma -- the
lack of competent leaders who could replace him.
Burma's real strongman since 1962 has been the 81 year-old Gen. Ne Win, who
has survived in power by eliminating everyone around him with ability or
leadership quilities. The old guard, who helped Ne Win seize power in 1962,
was purged after only a few years. In the wake of an abortive coup attempt
in 1976, another major purge was carried out; the officers who survived did
so not because of their proven loyalty to Ne Win.
The outcome, analyst say, is the situation Burma faces today: the country
is ruled by corporals and sergeants who have become generals. According to
US Burma scholar David Steinberg, of the SLORC'S 18 members, 10 have only
high school education or less, four have had some college education, and
only four have university degree or their equivalent.
On grounds of seniority, SLORC vice chairman and commander-in-chief of the
army, Gen. Than Shwe, will be the naturan successor to Saw Maung, if he is
indeed replaced. Like Saw Maung, Than Shwe joined the army at a young age
after receiving very basic, primary education. He is known to be reticent
and lacking basic leadership qualities. If Than Shwe succeeds to the top
post real power is likely to remain in the hands of intelligence chief
Maj. Gen Khin Nyunt, Ne Win's protege. The able but unpopular Khin Nyunt,
however, is resented even by many leading army officers.
"Once Saw Maung has resigned or been retired, things could begin to happen.
Ne Win is old and Khin Nyunt's future with out him is extremely uncertain,"
a Rangoon based diplomat said.
/* ENDREPORT */