Pro-democracy Burmese in exile around the world will voice their resentment against the election imposed by the junta in Burma. The Burmese groups in exile will hold a public rally and protest meetings in front of the Burmese Embassy, United Nations Building and other public places on May 27 to draw the attention of the international community.
The India-based Burmese democratic groups have also joined hands to organize a rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Thursday morning.
“We, Burmese in exile have called Global Day of Action Against Burma’s 2010 Military Election on 27 May 2010 urging for a real election, not a military selection,” said Pu Kim, a Burmese political activist based in New Delhi.
It can be recalled that Global Day of Action for Burma was an initiative by Burma Campaign UK with the support from US Campaign for Burma, Amnesty International, Avaaz.org and also Buddhist monks from different parts of the globe during the 2007 anti junta protests in Burma, which was simultaneously organized in over 100 cities of 30 countries.
The peaceful protests were aimed to create public awareness regarding the plight of Burmese people including the monks, and finally the international community to raise its voice against the junta.
Meanwhile, 10 alliances namely National Council of the Union of Burma, Democratic Alliance of Burma, National Democratic Front, National League for Democracy-Liberated Area, Members of Parliamentary Union, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, Forum for Democracy in Burma, Women’s League of Burma, Students and Youth Congress of Burma and Nationalities Youth Forum have announced protest programmes in other countries as well.
The protest rallies, some of which have already started, since May 25 and will continue till the end of May. They are being organized in Tokyo (Japan), Taipei (Taiwan), Seoul (South Korea), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Melbourne (Australia), Paris (France), Geneva (Switzerland), Stockholm ( Sweden), San Francisco (USA) etc.
It may be mentioned that National League for Democracy and other democratic parties of Burma recorded a landslide victory in the general elections on May 27, 1990. Of course, it was shocking that the junta did not recognize the outcome of the polls and hence did not hand over power. Rather, the group of generals imprisoned many opposition political leaders and many elected representatives left the country to take refuge in foreign nations.
Twenty years later, the junta has declared holding another general election sometime later this year. But the electoral laws released prior to the exercise indicated that the junta was still uncomfortable with the pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Over 2000 political activists are still behind bars in Burma and they will never be allowed to take part in the election. In conclusion, one can guess that the present brand of junta named the State Peace and Development Council wants to ensure their rule even after the polls.
The Nobel laureate Suu Kyi and her party National League for Democracy with many other opposition parties have already expressed their strong resentment against the election and also the 2008 Constitution. These parties will not join the polls as a mark of protest against the flawed electoral laws.
“We expect an unified worldwide action against the military rulers of Burma would finally help in denouncing the proposed sham election. We also want the election result not be recognized by the international community,” said Thin Thin Aung, a lady Burmese exile in India.
She also added, “We demand the release of all political prisoners including Suu Kyi, cessation of hostilities against ethnic and democracy groups and review of the 2008 constitution.
