To,
Mr. Ban Ki Moon
Secretary General
United Nations
New York,USA.
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican City.
His Holiness
The Dalai Lama
Daramshala, India
Subject:-Release of political prisoners.
Normally, ICRC goes about its job of visiting detention areas to oversee and make constructive assessment, and then make a detailed statement for reform to the government in a discreet manner. But recently, it spoke out loudly against the SPDC’s human rights record, a departure from normal procedure. Why the turnabout?
Flagrant abuse of the rule of Law is SPDC’s benchmark. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan and present UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon have repeatedly urged Burma to show "tangible steps forward" on human rights, democratic reform and national reconciliation. The US has taken the initiative to press for a resolution on its glaring human rights abuses and lack of reforms. US First Lady Laurel Bush and 59 former Heads of State, including Nobel Laureates made appeals to the SPDC to release ASSK and all political prisoners. The UN Security Council calls for independent access by UN representatives to regions of concern and to carry on humanitarian programs. Burma's ruling junta has ignored 28 previous resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly.
SPDC has ordered the ICRC out of key border areas and rejected moves to resume prison visits. The ICRC deplores the decision by SPDC to close 5 offices in Mandalay, Moulmein ,Hpa-an, Taunggyi and Kengtung.The ICRC is seriously worried that those most in need will bear the brunt of the current stand –off.
Shan leaders-General Sir Hten,Hkun Tun Oo,Sai Nyunt Lwin,Sai Hla Aung, Sao Tha Oo,Sao Oo Kya and 4 New Generation students(one died in jail due to unknown circumstances, as are many famous Shan leaders under detention since 1962)should enjoy privileges similar to ASSK under house arrest and currently all 10 million Shans (according to chairman Mao Tse Tung there were 200million Shans in 1957in China) demand their immediate release.
It is wise to remember Newton's Third Law of motion," To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. "The SPDC’s favorite boast,” No one is above the law" made them a laughing-stock in the eyes of the world. They themselves do not conform to any secular law, translating it as they deem fit. A Buddhist monk complained in frustration," If there are any SPDC generals in heaven, I shall have to forfeit my right to go there". Actually, it is much easier for a camel to pass through the needles eye than for a SPDC general to enter heaven.
We've heard of SPDC’s extension of ASSK's house arrest for another year. What a pity! These prisoners of conscience should be released immediately since they are of no danger to the state or to anybody in particular. If I remember correctly, the killing of innocent monks, students and civilians in 1988 and the wicked Debayein slaughter should put the SPDC generals nicely in the dock, perhaps reminiscent of Saddam Hussein's fate. Their crimes against humanity knew no bounds.
The accusations leveled against Shan leaders are without foundation. They are simply concoctions by SPDC.I know all the Shan leaders personally. They are independent minded but avoided speaking ill of others. We would like to appeal and requests the ICRC to visit them at their various detention centers. Kindly view our Shan plight with compassion and pray for Shan leaders immediate release. Empathize with those who suffer. Remember we have moral obligations towards fellow human beings whose destiny was to live in an evil empire. They have the moral courage to stand up to
tyrants.
Hkun Sam
(Former CEC and Political Steering Committee member)
Constitution Drafting Committee, SNLD
