Burmese Language
UN says Burma ‘a regional burden’
Increasing numbers of Burmese asylum-seekers in Southeast Asian states is evidence that Burma’s domestic crises are having a negative impact on the region, a top UN official has said.
Tomas Ojeas Quintana, the UN’s special rapporteur to Burma, made the remarks after a visit to Malaysia, which has become home to some 84,800 registered refugees and asylum-seekers. He spoke of “an extra-territorial dimension to the human rights problem in Myanmar [Burma]” as more and more people leave the country in search of better livelihoods.
“Countries in the region have a particular interest in persuading the Government of Myanmar to take necessary measures for the improvement of its human rights situation,” he stressed.
The comments will likely attract the attention of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, which has to date kept out of Burmese domestic affairs as part of its cornerstone non-interference policy. How much further it will go to maintain that is debatable, as heavy fighting in Burma’s border regions combines with rampant state-sanctioned human rights abuses to fuel a heavy spill-over into neighbouring countries.
Thailand is already home to nine camps housing nearly 150,000 refugees from Burma, and has been heavily criticised in recent months as it seeks to contain increasing numbers by encouraging many to return, despite stability across the border remaining highly questionable. But with Thailand reliant on Burma for some 30 percent of its energy needs, it has stopped short of any substantial criticism of the regime.
Indeed alongside the 84,000-odd registered Burmese in Malaysia are hundreds of thousands of additional migrants from Burma who remain unregistered and, facing the perennial threat of deportation, live in a constant state of limbo. Similarly, in Bangladesh, of the nearly 400,000 refugees from Burma’s Muslim Rohingya community that have fled persecution in Arakan state, only 22,000 are registered by the UN’s refugee agency, and their burden on the country’s already stretched resources is evident.
Quintana’s comments come amid a resurgence of the debate over whether Western nations should maintain sanctions on Burma that are aimed at pressuring the regime into improving its human rights record. It follows a study by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) in which they claimed the embargo wasn’t hurting Burmese civilians.
Tan Sri Razali Ismail, a former UN special envoy to Burma, yesterday however called for the lifting of sanctions, saying that Burma “has to begin to prosper” and blaming the country’s pathetic agricultural output on the West’s blockade.
“They are now importing rice, which is ridiculous,” he told the Second Asian Mediation Association conference held in Malaysia this week, adding that he disagreed with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who “insisted on sanctions”.
The Malaysian national, who has in the past represented Kuala Lumpur in ASEAN, said however that Southeast Asia should have an independent mediation unit to handle regional crises, something that critics of the bloc have long called for.
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Mr Razali ignores the plight of the farmers. I will not tell you what that plight is, as it is incumbent on you to see through your own comment.
However, I will tell you this that we have never (repeat, never) exported much, if any at all, of our farm produce to the western countries that hold sanctions.
This is not to say that we are for ever supporting the sanctions. But you are in the wrong to cite the farm productivity as a result of the sanctions.
I had a high regard for you. But after this comment of yours I come to learn that you are liable to make comments out of context, without insightful, thorough infotmation. It seems unlike you.
Sorry, I, for one, disagree with you.
Mr Razali is still no awareness of actual problem of Burma, so his calling for lifting saction on burma is unacceptable for majority people of Burma. We people of myanmar know what is NLD AND ITS LEADER ARE DOING FOR FUTURE BETTER PEOPLE LIFE. THE ETHENIC TENSION ARMS GROUP CONFLICT,REFUGEE ISSUE & IT’S PROBLEM THAT ALL ARE MAJOR CRISIS THAT SHOLD REMIND THE WORLD. NEW PALIMENT OR NEW GOVT ARE IS JUST AS A SHOWING SLECTIVE SAMPLING STORY WHICH THAN SHWE AND REGIME MADE TO PLAY WITH INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY AND TO INJECT NORMAL PEOPLE WHO ARE INNOCENT AND WHO VOTE UNDER THREAT AND WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT USDP PARTY PLAY A DIRTY POLITICAL GAME VOWING 85% THEY WON FAKE ELECTION 2010. WE HAVE TO WAKE UP AND HAVE TO MAKE A SAME VOICE THAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR REAL DEMOCRAY WITH FEDERAL CONSTITUTION TILL DROP OF LAST BLOOD. THIS IS OUR GOAL AND AIM.
Burma has had an impact on the Asian region for years; sooner or later Thitsaphout Than Shwe’s illegal regime will cripple some countries which have to endure the fact that Than Shwe’s continual human rights abuses are having a massive effect on their economies’. The Fighting that’s occurring which is being waged by the DKBA and the KNU and the ASDF and several other groups is getting out of control. Thitsaphout Than Shwe and his other rodents must stand trial for these crimes against humanity, there must be justice for Burma.
Just as an after thought on Mr Razali’s remark, I am tempted to quote my comment in the Irrawaddy online magazine on the civil war in Burma, which Mr Razali and his compatriots of the ASEAN nations still do not understand.
Here is what I wrote:
“Junta, please pause to review your thinking.
Do you think that by fighting this war of attrition you can achieve peace, the real, durable peace with proper national development, resulting in all civil liberties and equal rights for all?
I have heard from your people, ask the spirit of the late U Ne Win and his living cronies, that the top brass had never thought you could win this war, and the thinking that if the ethnic war and civil unrests are over, your prolific, lucrative “soldier-of-fortune” profession is over. Ask your commanders. You had never wanted to end the war.
That is the reason why you refuse to consider the noble idea of national reconcilliation and reject the old, highly valued spirit of the Pang Long Agreement.
Please don’t tell us again that reversion to that agreement would lead to a national disaster (which is HERE and NOW).
The agreement never did, never does, never will.
Meanwhile, you may look a mighty victor.
So be humane and magnanimous, while you can.”
I might add that an upstart “parliamentarian” of the new Burma Asesembly yesterday had said the two mighty neighboring nations would not stand change of government in Bufrma!! Perhaps the ASEAN does not want to see a chanvge in Burma either.
Perhaps, the ASEAN will be blaming Daw ASSK and the NLD for all Burma’s burdens that fall on it.
How short-sighted, how inhuman, and how irresponsible!!!
The Root Cause for the myriads of problems is the Régime in itself; it mismanages and wastes everything ( natural and human resources )!
The régime does care only about the power at all cost.
The dictator, Than Shwe, as usual, does everything- whatever the cost.
He tries to bribe and corrupt everyone to get his ends, that is, to prolong his firm grip.
Mr Razali, what do you think of that? ( You know well that; you had a chance to know him and the régime well! )
So, you are another ‘Derek Tonkin’?
The UN has already said on several occations that the régime lost the opportunities to size!
UN says Burma ‘ about of local political .. good , but
UN can’t to contro
in the UN of member VETO
5 country ..
the VETO is like to Dictatorship group..
The United Nations Security Council has become a worldwide burden, which seems to act more on behalf of the security of dictators around the world.
They do nothing but talk, order reports to be written, and then ignore the findings of the reports if they might be inconvenient to any member nations which are heavily invested in the rape and plunder of countries like Burma.
It is ironic that the same year that Burma gained its independence, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and “to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories”.
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Hello!?
In the ethnic homelands of Burma, schools and other institutions of education are routinely burned, and the children are not even allowed to learn about their native languages and cultures.
And the only rights that the millions of Burmese ethnic minority citizens are made aware of is their rights to live if they are useful to the regime, and to die if, when, and where the regime no longer requires their services as slaves.
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The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads:
“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.”
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It is quite enlightening to read the articles of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS and try to see where they might apply to human rights issues in all corners of Burma.
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Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
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Well that all sounded quite grand, but as far as human rights go for countries like Burma, I would say that the United Nations is about as useful as the teats on a bull.
PB Publico, sorry I have to say but I think the teats on a bull would be more useful than the UN at any cost. Even Thitsaphout Than Shwe is totally useless to Burma, he hasn’t helped his own country one little bit except in his own selfish interest things like theft murder torture, rape, slavery. I hope I haven’t left any of Thitsaphout Than Shwe’s accomplishments’ out, its frightening thinking that if I lived in Burma Thitsaphout Than Shwe might sentence me to about 100 years jail for trying to be a smart.
Hello Denys,
I am afraid it was I who made the crude comment about the UN being “about as useful as the teats on a bull”.
It is very easy for us to say how worthless the United Nations has become, but it is to a large extent a reflection of liberal politics, international corporate puppeteers, and dictators like Saddam Hussein and Than Shwe who can deliver stolen natural resources, and/or cheap labour.
I imagine that if someone were to investigate the United Nations member countries which opposed President George W. Bush’s toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime, it would turn out that those same countries had been Saddam’s business partners, investors in the rape of Iraq.
After Saddam was removed, what did the United Nations do for Iraq?
Not much, their members had already taken big losses to their profit margins, and spending money for combat troops or peacekeepers would have cost money.
They instead found it cheaper to stand back and let the Islamic extremists from all over the world spread anarchy, play ethnic and religious groups against each other by bombing mosques and market places, and let Bush get his nose bloodied while the US democratic party and the terrorist insugents scratched each other’s backs leading up to the 2008 Presidential election.
And then, lo and behold, the newly elected President Obama is hailed as the saviour of the world, and immediately awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, apparently for abstaining from the vote on giving Bush the power to attack Iraq, because he certainly had done nothing else of note to that point.
In other words, he received a Nobel Peace Prize for attempting to keep the Iraqi people from being freed!
I would not be surprised to find those countries which were Saddam’s partners are the same one’s which have invested in the rape of Burma, after all, countries like France and Norway are so liberal and peaceful, their investments and partnership with the regime must be good for the people of Burma….right?
Hello Garret
Sorry about that I was reading the comment above yours and I got the name wrong. But I must admit the UN is about as useful as a soggy tissue, Saddam should have been stopped in the first gulf war instead of the second a lot more Iraqis and Allied soldiers would be alive today.
I’ve worked with Burmese refugees for year’s victims of Thitsaphout than Shwe’s murderous regime, those victims who were lucky enough to escape and find a new life in Australia. I get very upset with the UN I know they have their problems with member countries like China. The UN know dam well that human rights abuse occur in Burma on a daily basis but they will do nothing to stop it. I noticed China was very happy to put up their hand at the UN Security Council in reference to Libya. I suppose thousands more people in Burma took to the streets to protest, like in Libya then Chine will happily put their hand up then as well. Garret I have a dream that one day Than Shwe will also come to the same end as Saddam.