Burma's Election Unfair: UN

Videos

Myanmar election polls close

see larger video

sourced by Sony Sahota

The UN condemned the recent elections in Burma declaring it was neither free or fair.  The announcement comes after many western nations unilaterally voiced their disapproval immediately following the elections.  The resolution is supported by 96 out of 124 member states.  

China and Russia voted against the resolution.  China's representative said that pointing fingers would not help to achieve progress in human rights.  Than Shwe, ambassador to the UN from Burma, said that the resolution had no moral authority.  

Reports of fraud, forced voting and intimidation of voters during the elections were widespread.  Ethnic minorities who did not receive the military government's support found restrictions placed on them during the campaign.  

The election is a first in 20 years.  the National league for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won the last elections with a clear majority but the military government refused to recognize the results.  Since then, the NLD's activities have been repressed and Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the past 20 years under house arrest.

Suu Kyi was released last weekend to the delight of the burmese and her supporters in the West.  She has made clear that she will be the spokesperson for the wishes of the Burmese people and hopes to meet with the generals to discuss further steps toward democratic rule in the country.  

UN Secretary General BAn Ki-Moon praised Suu Kyi after her release, calling her an inspiration throughout the world.  It is hoped that Suu Kyi can act as an intermediary between the West and the long-isolated burmese government, which remains under control of the military after the flawed elections.