MORE ON BURMA AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHT

[darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx]

In this dispatch:

* "BUDDHISM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND BURMA", a speech delivered at a public
briefing on Human Rights & Asian Values, April 9, 1998 [this was also a
preview of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's video message to the UNHRC]

* Oral Intervention of Catholic Institute for International Relations on
Violence Against Women, Delivered on April 9, 1998

* Oral Intervention of INTERNATIONAL PEACE BUREAU on Internally Displaced
People, Delivered on April 9, 1998

Please note that previous oral interventions have been delivered at the
current session of the Human Rights Commission and more will be delivered
on Burma next week. A Special Briefing on the Situation of Women in Burma
will be held on April 17.

**********

Briefing on HUMAN RIGHTS & ASIAN VALUES
April 9, 1998
Salle XXI, United Nations, Geneva

BUDDHISM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND BURMA

By Dr Thaung Htun

Thank you for watching Daw Suu's video message to the 54th session of
theUNCHR, in which she says that "the case of human rights is the case of
human dignity and human security of all human beings". Her affirmation that
human rights are for all contrasts strongly with the Burmese junta's claim
that the very concept of human rights is un-Burmese and alien, and its
complaint that human rights criticism from the UNCHR and UNGA is an
imposition of Western values on Burmese society, and an interference in the
internal affairs of Burma. 

It is a shameful thing to cite cultural values as an excuse for autocratic
practices and denial of basic rights and civil liberties. To say that
freedom is western or un-Burmese is a deep insult to our own traditions as
well as to our parents who gave their lives in the struggle for Independence .

I notice that in international forums, the representatives of the Burmese
junta echo Asian authoritarian regimes in defining  human rights as first
and foremost the right to food, shelter and other needs. Only when these
have been achieved, they say, can social, cultural and other rights be
granted. They also put great emphasis on the tranquility and stability of
society, and justify restrictive measures on individual freedom as
essential for social harmony. 

As soon as the democracy movement developed and spread in Burma, there was
a surge of intense interest in the meaning of democracy, human rights and
rule of law, both from the point of view of culture and history, as well as
of practical implementation.  As Buddhists, we tried to get to the heart of
the matter by turning to such teachings of Buddha as the Ten Duties of
Kings (the Dasa-Raja-Dhamma). These duties are: liberality, morality,
self-sacrifice, integrity, kindness, austerity, non-anger, non-violence,
forbearance and non-opposition to the will of the people. 

The first duty of liberality (dana) demands that a ruler should contribute
generously towards the welfare of the people. The second duty of morality
(sila), is based on the observance of five percepts which require us to
refrain from destruction of life (corresponding to Article 3 of the
Universal Declaration), theft, adultery, falsehood and indulgence in
intoxication. The third duty,  pricagga, can be translated as
self-sacrifice. It requires the ruler to give up all for the sake of the
people. The fourth duty, integrity (ajjava) requires incorruptibility as
well as sincerity and honesty. The fifth is kindness (maddava) to the
people. The sixth duty of austerity (Tapa), requires that the ruler should
have simple habits and develop self control. The seven, eighth and ninth
duties -- non-anger, non-violence and forbearance require the ruler not to
allow personnel feelings of enmity and ill will to erupt into anger and
violence. The tenth duty of kings, non-opposition to the will of people
(aviroda) is a reminder that the authority of governance must be based on
the will of people.  This principle corresponds exactly to Article 21  para
3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Buddhism, the foundation of traditional Burmese culture, places the
greatest value on the human being, as the only living creature who can
attain the supreme state of Buddhahood. All human beings, according to
Buddhism,  are equal, and each has the potential to realize the truth by
his or her own will and endeavor, and can help others to realize it.
Buddhist concepts recognize the inherent dignity and the equal and
inalienable rights of all human beings. It accepts that all human beings
are endowed with reason and conscience. It recommends a Universal spirit of
brotherhood and sisterhood.

The freedom of choice, freedom of thought and freedom of expression
mentioned in Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration are part of
Buddhist philosophy. In Buddhism, everyone has to practice by himself or
herself to realize the truth, rather than accepting in blind faith whatever
is said by authorities. Buddha said,  "It is proper to doubt, and to be
uncertain. Do not rely on what has been acquired by repeated hearing. Nor
upon tradition nor upon rumors. When you know for yourself that certain
things are unwholesome and wrong, abandon them.. When you know that certain
things are wholesome accept them."

In conclusion, I would like to stress that modern doctrines of human rights
are in harmony with the moral values of classical Buddhism. The proposition
that Burmese are not fit to enjoy the same rights and privileges as
citizens of democratic countries is insulting. The cultural, social and
political development of a nation is a dynamic process. The orientation of
the process needs not only to be based in our own roots and tradition, but
must also be shaped by innovative new ideas. I think that cultural
diversity is a factor that enriches the modern doctrines of human rights,
instead of hindering the universal respect for and observance of human rights.

************

UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 
Fifty-fourth Session
Agenda Item 9 (Violence Against Women)

Oral Intervention of Catholic Institute for International Relations
Delivered on April 9, 1998

Mr. Chairman

It was a shock to learn of the cases reported by the Special Rapporteur on
Violence against Women.  Violence against women is a very serious violation
against the entire society.  I hope that the world will not forget the
situation of women in my country, Burma.

Women from Burma are forced to suffer very many human rights abuses
covering almost all the civil, political, economic, social and cultural
rights.  Abuses occur frequently because of ethnic cleansing operations
known as the "Four Cuts Campaign" and so-called infrastructure projects.  		

During the last year, thousands of my country=s women and children have
been pushed out from their homes and farms by the army as part of its Four
Cuts Campaign.   (Four cuts campaign aims to cut off finance, food,
intelligence and recruits to the armed ethnic opposition forces and local
people have been forced to move to military controlled relocation sites).
Women and young girls including those who are pregnant or old, have been
forced to work as  porters in war zones to carry military supplies and
suffer grave human rights abuses.  The soldiers commit such atrocities as
rape, extra judicial executions, arbitrary arrests and torture.  Moreover
women are considered more versatile as forced labor because, in addition to
carrying goods, they are raped by soldiers.  
 	
Burmese  people, including women and children, have also been forced to
relocate because of infrastructure projects funded by foreign investments.
In the case of Ye-Tavoy railway construction project and Yadana natural gas
pipeline project (a joint venture project of the military, Total of France
and Unocal of U-S-A) people have been forced to give up their homes and all
their property.  Many more have been forced to work against their will.  

Because of infrastructure projects and ethnic cleansing operations  during
1997, local people living in 79 villages in Tennisserim division become
homeless. People have been forcibly moved to sites where they  can easily
be taken for forced labor.  Many have died from rape, beatings, exhaustion,
accidents and a lack of medical care. Such forced relocation and forced
labour is the main reason for the  refugee and internally displaced
population of Burma.

Large numbers of refugees can  be found along the Thai, Bangladesh, Chinese
and Indian borders.  Also, there are 1 million internally displaced
persons.  More than 81 per cent are women and children.  

Until now more and more new refugees especially women and children are
arriving in neighboring countries to escape from forced laborer, forced
relocation and further grave human rights abuses.  Even after they escaped
to neighboring countries, they often face violations from the Burmese
military and their allied troops. Last month, the Democratic Karen Buddhist
Army (DKBA), SPDC's sponsored military group attacked three refugee camps
in Thailand. Several  refugees including a pregnant women and children were
killed and hundreds more injured.

In conclusion Mr Chairman,

We believe that ethnic cleansing operations  and so called development
projects are not helping Burma (Myanmar).  These operations and projects
kill many civilians and cause others to become homeless or flee the country
as refugees and migrant workers. Women from Burma are directly suffering
from violence of the government and the army.  We have a very urgent need
to demand our political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights.

We recommend that;

(1) The Human Rights Commission, in its resolution on the situation of
human rights in Myanmar, emphasizes the gender-based persecutions that
women of all ethnic backgrounds suffer at the hands of the so-called
"Government of Myanmar".

(2) The international Community works unitedly to promote the human rights
of women in all areas of life, by helping restore a civilian,
democratically elected government to Burma, in an effort to stamp out the
main causes of  violence against women from Burma.

(3) The SPDC, immediately stops the violation of women's rights.  Tatmadaw
leaders, soldiers and officers of the state must be held responsible for
abuses of humanitarian and human rights law.  Reports of rape and other
forms of violence against women must be investigated and publicly
condemned, and the perpetrators brought to justice.

CIIR and women of Burma thank you, Mr. Chairman for your attention

**********

UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 
Fifty-fourth Session
Agenda Item 9 (Internally Displaced people)

Oral Intervention of INTERNATIONAL PEACE BUREAU
Delivered on April 9, 1998


Mr. Chairman,

The issue of internal displacement is a serious issue that deserves the
attention of the Commission. It is no longer considered as a sensitive
internal problem. The scope of the crisis urgently calls for international
involvement, since internal displacement is a human tragedy of great
magnitude and global in dimension. It is also a crisis with serious
regional and global implications. It has the potential to destabilize not
only the country of origin but also the neighboring countries, as a result
of mass exodus of people for survival or refuge.

We have learned from the report of Representative of the Secretary-General
that the normative and institutional frameworks for internally displaced
persons have been reasonably well developed for the U.N. agencies
concerned, to collaborate for addressing the issue of internal
displacement. However, there is still much room for improvement to
translate these developments into effective actions. Accordingly, it would
be appropriate to make the translation of these developments into actions
the main focus of the mandate, increase country visits for assessment, and
place human and material resources at the disposal of the Representative
who has played a major role in the development of a set of guiding
principles, for comprehensively addressing the needs of the internally
displaced. 

Mr. Chairman,

At this point, I would like to draw your attention to the plight of the
internally displaced in the country of Burma, as a relevant case urgently
needing international involvement for protection and assistance. A
conservative estimate put the number of  internally displaced in the
country at 2 million. That means more than 4.5% of the entire population of
the country. The severity of  their conditions  also warrants serious concern.
The are two causes of displacement, one of which is large-scale development
projects, involving  the building of dams, gas pipe-lines, access roads and
railway lines, and  the clearing of poor people living near tourist sights
or prominent areas in the cities, in the campaign for beautification, in
expectation of enhancing the tourist industry.  The people are forcibly
relocated without any compensation or assistance. The displaced population,
including women and children, are press-ganged into forced labor to work on
the projects with very little or no payment. 

The other cause of displacement is the military operations conducted in the
traditional ethnic lands and adjacent areas. The military government
employs a strategy that could result only in whole-sale destruction or
displacement of the civilian population in rural areas. In order to deny
the rebels from information, food supply, source of income and
communication, the civilian population near urban areas are forcibly
relocated closer to the towns and cities or near military camps. Those who
are late in moving or complain are subjected to brutal punishment,
including torture and summary executions. In most cases the troops forcibly
take the belongings of the villagers, including personal jewelry, cash and
clothing. These relocated villagers are forced to do manual work in the
military camps and plant  crops for the soldiers, serve as porters in
front-line  areas and,  as  human mine-detectors or a shield against the
rebel bullets. 

The soldiers destroy the villages and farms, farther away from urban areas,
generally by burning, and shoot at the villagers on sight. They destroy the
food supplies whenever found,  kill the live-stock,  cut down orchards and
take whatever belongings they can carry.

As a result of such a massive and widespread violations of human rights,
hundreds of thousands of villagers take flight from their traditional
habitats. The majority of them remain in hiding in deep jungles and hills.
These internally displaced persons not only have to live a life of severe
deprivation and want but also a hunted life, having to fear violent death
or capture, constantly. 

It is estimated that there are about a million internally displaced ethnic
peoples in the Shan, Karenni, Karen , Arakan and Chin States and adjacent
areas, living on relocated sites or in hiding.    
	
Mr. Chairman,

The situation being as such, it is most desirable to give mandate to
Representative of the Secretary-General to go to Burma and conduct an
investigation, at the earliest date possible. It is time for a peaceful
resolution of conflicts in Burma, as called for by the U.N. resolutions on
Burma every year, since 1992.  We can hopefully expect that visits of the
Representative to Burma could influence the situation for positive changes
and a chance for laying down at least some ground-work for the protection
and assistance needs of the internally displaced.

Thank you.