Fate of minorities in Burma, "Aung San Suu Kyi still has much to prove"

Source Paris Match, 12 Nov (translated from French)

 

Member of the Rohingya people, refugees in Australia, Habiburahman, author of "We the unspeakable. A Burmese taboo "returns for Paris Match on the fate of minorities in Burma, while the party of Aung San Suu Kyi won the recent elections.

Paris Match. How do you explain the electoral triumph of the party of Aung Sang Suu Kyi?Habiburahman. As the people were oppressed by the military dictatorship since 1962, the Burmese have borne the leader and the party who want to lead the country on the path of democracy and human rights. The results showed that in the general elections of 1990 and even now. However, the dictator Than Swe, resulting from the junta, remains as president and still control the situation behind the scenes. That's one reason why the results have yet been officially announced. Devolution is also postponed to February. This looks very complex. The former generals, including the current government, want to retain all powers. As you know, they founded a fictional Parliament with people who just changed uniforms, established the USDP (party unity, solidarity and development) as a political party, retained 25% of the seats for military officials. The electoral commission is also controlled by them and there are still items not be revised constitution that establish the power of the military. So this looks like a parody of election. Many political dissidents are still in prison.

What changes expected for minorities in Burma?Government forces continue to fight in the states of Shan and Kachin and organize the ongoing genocide against the Rohingya and Kaman people in Arakan State. About 150,000 Rohingya and Kaman members of people were locked in 42 concentration camps in Arakan State, a million people are confined since June 2012, while blocking aid and food intake. The party NLD (National League for Democracy) Aung Sang Suu Kyi continues to remain silent about the fate of minorities. The majority of voters Buddhists celebrate the victory while all Muslim candidates were excluded from the ballot by the Government and the NLD party. In other words ... a democracy without Muslim or Muslim representative. There is no democratic change for minorities.

Precisely, how to explain the silence of Aung Sang Suu Kyi?The people see Aung Sang Suu Kyi as the best person for the country. It is difficult to accept that a person who fought for democracy and human rights, expelled all Muslim members of his party for fear of losing the majority of his supporters. She may have adhered to the ideas of the majority. It still listen to the voices of minorities who have been victims of the central government and which are neglected by the majority. In a democratic system, everyone should have the same rights and the leader representing the people must treat fairly. Aung Sang Suu Kyi still has much to prove."The International Court of Justice should investigate crimes against humanity"

What can the international community to help the Rohingyas?The Rohingya need a security zone in Arakan State. Establish an independent state for the Rohingya is essential as the majority of the Burmese authorities organize and segregation and separate them from their means of subsistence. This can not happen without the help of the international community. The International Court of Justice should investigate crimes against humanity committed in Burma. The United Nations must help end the humanitarian crisis in Burma and allow aid and food from reaching the affected populations. The UN and its member countries must take effective and appropriate measures on Burma to lift all kinds of restrictions and to end discrimination and persecution. The High Commission for Refugees helps Rohingya refugees at sea and provide adequate protection to those in transit countries.

Are you optimistic for the future?The road to democracy in Burma will be difficult. It opens only for the Buddhist majority. During the long transition to democracy, minorities will be persecuted. Honestly, the Rohingya people has nothing to expect from the changes in Burma. Racial hatred was planted in the heart of the Buddhist majority. Remove kernels will take many years. First, the existence of the Rohingya people must be recognized. The laws must guarantee the safety and security of the Rohingya people. So I am very pessimistic for the Rohingya if I am using the current situation.

"Nous, les innommables
Un tabou birman"

de Habiburahman, avec Sophie Ansel
En librairie le 17 octobre 2012.
Collection : Témoignages
376 pages.
19,90 euros.
Préface de Reporters sans frontières.