By Anna Roberts
Burma Campaign UK
On Wednesday, Burma’s dictator, Than Shwe, officially disbanded the State Peace and Development Council, the body through which Burma’s dictators have ruled the country since 1997. The new President, Thein Sein, was sworn in.
However, the changes are more about rebranding than reform. Dictatorship remains alive and well in Burma, guaranteed by a new Constitution and a new political structure.
The new government is the final stage in the regime’s so-called ‘roadmap to democracy’, following the sham election last November. In reality, it is a transition from military to civilian dictatorship. The new parliament has no real power. Real power still lies firmly with the military and a new all-powerful body, the National Defence and Security Council.
This is history repeating itself. Burma’s first dictatorship began in 1962, led by General Ne Win. Ne Win also introduced a new constitution through a rigged referendum and rubber-stamp parliament.
The real facts on the ground are that there are no new freedoms, that human rights abuses continue, and that those ruling Burma clearly have no intention of introducing any genuine reforms to improve human rights or move towards democracy.
For more details, read our press release here:
At least 152 political prisoners in poor health
The latest reports from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners show how the elections have not brought any improvement for political prisoners. There are still more than 2,000 political prisoners in jail. 12 political prisoners were put in solitary confinement after releasing a statement welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. Political prisoner Kaung Myat Hlaing was tortured for 10 days until he confessed to being involved in ‘anti-government’ campaigns. The confession obtained under torture was used to sentence him to an additional 10 years on top of his two-year term.
Political prisoners continue to suffer the consequences of the brutal prison conditions. At least 152 political prisoners are in poor health due to the harsh conditions, torture and transfers to remote prisons where there are no doctors, and the denial of proper medical care.
Use of slave labour continues
The Burmese Army is continuing to use thousands of villagers as slave labour, particularly in ethnic areas. New evidence reveals that the Burmese Army has also been using prisoners as forced labourers to carry equipment for troops in Karen state, Eastern Burma.
In an interview with Burma Campaign UK, one of the prisoners, who escaped to Thailand from a military camp in Karen State, described how the Burmese Army used prisoners as human minesweepers and had witnessed other prisoners who had been blown up by landmines as they tried to escape.
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Thank you.
Anna
Burma Campaign UK
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