Burma in the spotlight

May 1, 2008

Bangkok was humming with anti-Burmese sentiment yesterday as local and international human rights organisations took turns to lash out at the military government of Burma and the visit of Prime Minister General Thein Sein to Thailand.

Thai Action Committee for Democracy called on Thailand to halt all major investment in the military-run state until the junta shows that it is committed to democracy. The group also called on the government to use whatever influence it has on the Burmese junta to push the country towards the path of democracy.

New York-based Human Rights Watch, in a press statement, called Burma's May 10 referendum on a new constitution "a sham process aimed at entrenching the military" in the country's political system.

"The Burmese generals are showing their true colours by continuing to arrest anyone opposed to their sham referendum, and denying the population the right to a public discussion of the merits of the draft constitution," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "International acceptance of this process will be a big step backward."

"The generals expect the Burmese people to just shut up, follow their orders, and approve the draft constitution without any discussion or debate. That's not exactly how democracies are born."

Separately, the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) launched a report, "Growing up under Militarisation."

Stephen Hull, one of the authors of the report, said: "Children in Karen State are facing a disastrous collapse of their opportunities for health, education and social development as a direct result of a systematic policy of military control and civilian exploitation by the Burmese junta."

At 174 pages and drawing on over 160 interviews with children, their families and their communities on a wide variety of issues relevant to children's welfare, the report claims to be the most comprehensive account ever produced on children's rights in Burma.

KHRG programme director, Naw Rebecca Dun explained the dismal situation faced by children in areas of Karen State where the State Police and Development Council (SPDC) army is attacking civilians and destroying villages, leading villagers to flee into hiding in the forest where they face malnutrition, disease, landmines and the constant threat of further attacks.

Naw Rebecca Dun has herself witnessed the hardships of such children, during her nearly 20 years teaching in an IDP jungle school.

Breaking down at the memories, she described the lives of these children as "physically, emotionally and mentally scarred".

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