22-28 March: Quintana’s Report Sparks Debate and Action; NLD Decides Not to Register

Dear Friends and Supporters,

UN Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana’s courageous report calling for a UN-sanctioned investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes has already carried ripple effects from Geneva to New York to Jakarta, fueling discussions in both the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council, and prompting civil society to demand action from the new ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Just today, the Task Force on ASEAN and Burma submitted a case to the AICHR, including documents detailing crimes against humanity and war crimes, and calling on the Commission, on the occasion of its first meeting in Jakarta, to launch its own investigation.

On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a resolution by consensus, presented by the European Union. While condemning “systematic violations” in Burma, it called on the regime to release political prisoners and ensure a “free, transparent, fair electoral process” which allows for unhindered participation of all voters and parties.

A few days later, at the prompting of the UK, the Security Council held closed-door talks on Burma. On the agenda was Quintana’s recommendation for a UN Commission of Inquiry, where the UK took a strong stand for Burma’s referral to the International Criminal Court, another significant milestone for the growing momentum of the global movement calling for a investigations into crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Another main topic of discussion at the Security Council was the upcoming elections, a subject, which the Chinese Ambassador insisted was “a matter of sovereign states,” and “should be respected.” The UK’s sharp response was that the elections are on the Security Council’s agenda because “a flawed electoral process is a threat to international peace and security.” This is precisely the argument made by many groups in the democracy and ethnic rights movement inside and outside Burma—that undemocratic and non-reconciliatory elections will only further destabilize Burma and the region.

At a press conference following another meeting of the Group of Friends on Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon responded to a question about Daw Suu’s opposition to the NLD’s registration. “If what she said is based on her genuine belief, based on the current situations, then we have to respect her decision.” But, in the end it is for the people to decide, he added. And in a long awaited decision today, the people-elected winning party of the 1990 elections—the NLD-has decided not to register for the elections, due to the highly restrictive conditions single handedly set by the regime. NLD representatives from every state and division took part in the decision today—a judgment supported by democratic and ethnic opposition groups and supporters inside and outside the country.

In Solidarity,

Burma Partnership Secretariat

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News Highlights

Exiled political groups encouraged the NLD to reject party registration and not take part in the Burmese election this year.

On Armed Forces Day, Than Shwe asserts continued role for Army in politics

Inside Burma

Fifteen more parties have confirmed that they will register for this year’s elections.

Burma’s highest court rejected a lawsuit filed by the NLD seeking to revoke election laws.

U Tin Oo, the vice-chairman of NLD said that the army should stay out of politics and that past military coups in Burma have only harmed the country.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that civilians and soldiers in Burma should unite in order to develop the country.

Former leaders of Burma’s independence struggle sent a letter today to Senior General Than Shwe to demand a review of the 2008 Constitution and changes to new election laws.

The Burma Army completes first phase of military training for recruited Kachin militia, believed to be in preparation for possible offensive against the Kachin Independence Organization.

The Burmese junta ordered government and NGO employees based in Panshang, the headquarters of the United Wa State Army, to go on an unprecedented extended leave.

Regional

Regional human-rights groups have called on the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to make systematic rights atrocities in Burma a priority.

Burma’s neighbors begin to air frustrations over undemocratic elections preparations; Vietnamese and Indonesian governments to make visits to Burma.

A fire gutted over 60 houses in a Karenni refugee camp in Northern Thailand along the border with Burma rendering 300 people homeless.

International

The UK asserts its support for referring Burma to the International Criminal Court.

A US spokesperson called for Burma’s election laws to be amended.

The UN Human Rights Council condemned the violations in Burma and called on the generals to release 2,100 political prisoners ahead of an election this year, saying the vote must be free and fair.

Opinion

Asean should take a stand on Burma
Bangkok Post

The South China Sea will be next dispute to top Asean’s agenda
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

Burma needs a general election, not an election of Generals
By Ivan Lewis
The Independent

Something is not always better than nothing
By Roshan Jason
The Nation

Regime’s human rights abuses go unpunished
By Phil Thornton
Bangkok Post

Actions

Dissident groups call for UN Security Council Burma session

Statements and Press Releases

UK Government Supports Burma Regime Referral to International Criminal Cour
By Burma Campaign UK

Burmese  Army Shoots Five-Month Old Baby In Attack On Karen Village
By Burma Campaign UK

Letter to UNHRC Member States
By International Federation for Human Rights, International Trade Union Confederation, Burma Lawyers Council, and Altsean-Burma

ASEAN Human Rights Commission Must Address Crimes Against Humanity in Burma
By Task Force on ASEAN and Burma

Regional Groups Call for Asian Solidarity
By SAPA- ASEAN

WLB Welcomes and Urges Support of the UNSR’s Recommendations on Burma
By Women’s League of Burma

G8 Summit should tackle Burma rights crisis
By Human Rights Watch

Statement from Burmese People in Los Angeles on 2010 Elections (Burmese)
By Burmese people in Los Angeles

AAPP 10th Anniversary and Report Launch
By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma

Statement from Burmese People in San Francisco Bay Area on 2010 Elections (Burmese)
By Burmese People in San Francisco Bay Area

Civil Society Condemns AICHR for Refusing to Meet, Calls for Draft Rules of Procedure to be Made Public and Hold Wider Consultation
By SAPA Task Force on ASEAN Human Rights

Reports

Weekly Political Events Regarding the SPDC’s Election (009-2010)
By Network for Democracy and Development

The Role of Political Prisoners in the National Reconciliation Process
By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma

Week 2: Election Watch (16-22 March)
By Altsean-Burma

This post is in: Weekly Highlights