Junta Crack Down On Rule of Law In Burma

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls on the international community to bring the Burmese Military Junta to justice for forcefully repressing the people of Burma.

On 17th March 2009, The Burmese Military Junta sentenced Phoe Phyu, defends attorney for political dissidents, to four years in prison on charges he associated with organizations the dictatorship outlaws.

His clients included U Gambira, Myo Yan Naung Thein and other dissidents struggling for democracy. He represented them regardless of their ability to pay.

“Phoe Phyu dared to stand for truth and justice in an effort to insure his clients got a fair trial. He tirelessly worked to restore the rule of law in Burma’s court system”, said Carlos Guevara, International Media Coordinator at Burma Democratic Concern (BDC).

The International Community must commit to more aggressive and viable solutions to resolve the crisis in Burma. The free world urged Burma to consider the ideology of democracy. At great personal risk Burmese people chose to stand defiant and vote with their hearts and minds, not from the barrel of a gun. The criminal regime of Than Shwe has crossed the boundaries of morality as well as sanity. The shear brutality of this regime has reached epic perorations in senseless crimes against humanity. The free and democratic would have a moral responsibility to intervene on behalf of humanity.

Entrenched in traditions steeped in the ideology of liberty and democracy as well as morality the United States and the UK’s leadership have been silent. United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gambari sided with the regime tainting the image of the United Nations as a champion of human rights.

The UN would also have to regain the trust of the people because of Gambari’s betrayal. Obama, Brown and Ki-Moon are three of the most powerful men in the free world. Surely they can evolve something with substance and positive lasting results. Their leadership truly is needed at this time.

“The 1990 election results were the voice of the Burmese people and this voice must be recognized, the results honoured. Aung San Suu Kyi and her party (NLD) won a landslide victory in a democratic election against the military dictatorship. To recognize the Military Dictatorship of Than Shwe would legitimize criminal behaviour and crimes against humanity. This is not totally acceptable”, added Carlos Guevara.

It must be clearly stated that Burmese people do not want the election of 2010 fore we already had an election. We want the election results of 1990 honoured. The Military Junta must except the election results, release the duly elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, release all political prisoners and establish a dialogue to insure a peaceful transition of power. Military expansionism in ethnic regions would have to cease. There is no difference between human rights violators and sympathizers in the eyes of the victims. They both are scorned because of their combined reprehensible behaviour.

Phoe Phyu referenced to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in which Burma is signatory. He repeatedly reminded the court that it was imperative that Burma to honoured the UDHR protocols. Phoe Phyu challenged government prosecutor Lieutenant Than Htay Aung whether he was aware of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its contents and the tenets of freedom and fundamental human rights. Than Htay Aung said no, he also was not aware that Burma was a signatory of this declaration. This was a reprehensible yet classic example of Burma’s total disregard for civil liberty and human rights.

“We are very sad to learn that the junta is punishing Phoe Phyu for standing up for justice. He is a Modern day Gandhi in the eye’s of the Burmese people fore he had the courage to speak out for justice and human rights”, added Myo Thein, Director at the Burma Democratic Concern (BDC).

For more information please contact

Myo Thein {United Kingdom}

00-44-78 7788 2386

Carlos Guevara {United States}

00-1-71 9845 0066