UN Burma inquiry into ex-generals' crimes must continue

They should be very cautious so as not to be deceived by the political games of Thein Sein, the ex-general turned president of the Myanmar civilian government, which was not democratically elected.
As a Burmese citizen of 67 years of age, I have been, all my life, watching complex Burmese politics, the past tricks and dirty games of the Myanmar military junta beginning from Ne Win’s regime in 1962 to the present puppet civilian government, which mainly consists of ex-military junta cadres.
I know well my countrymen’s attitudes and the mentality of the military regime in particular. We should not forget that the present Thein Sein civilian government is a sham government of Than Shwe, the ex-military junta leader.
The world community seems to be overexcited about the recent news about Burma’s suspension of the Myitsone Dam project. I do not see this move of the Thein Sein government as genuine reform because it is not yet qualified to be considered as genuine democratic reform.
Having reviewed the history and origin of the previous Myanmar civilian government, which was also formed by ex-generals, I now witness history repeating itself.
In 1974, the original military junta led by Ne Win shed its military uniforms and turned into the civilian government called the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. It was similar to the present reincarnated civilian government. There was no transparency in the voting process in the 1974 election, which was similar to last year’s election.
The Ne Win civilian government’s promises to the people of Burma were exposed as a hollow sham and empty hope. The present Thein Sein government is acting likewise. The Ne Win civilian government grossly abused human rights and devastated the country, making it one of the poorest nations in the world.
It is a historical fact that any pseudo-civilian government formed undemocratically by military men will always be the same oppressive and undemocratic government, as the military’s mentality cannot be changed and improved – a leopard’s spots cannot be changed.
Human rights abuse will be committed by this government in the future.
Upon considering the fact that the validity of the suspension of Myitsone Dam is only within the Thein Sein government’s term, the ulterior motive behind the actions of the Thein Sein government must not be overlooked. Their promised actions of reform are just cosmetic in nature and are mere schemes to escape the calls from the UN inquiry into crimes against humanity.
The UN commission should go ahead with its investigation, which has enough supporting evidence to put the generals on trial. The negotiations between the Thein Sein government and Aung San Suu Kyi are not relevant to the actions of the UN commission.
I agree with the view of well-known Burma expert Bertil Lintner that the Thein Sein government has apparently hijacked Aung San Suu Kyi for its own purposes. The Thein Sein government must realise that it will make a mistake if it uses the NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi card to play give-and-take games with the UN in order to evade the UN’s inquiry into crimes against humanity allegedly committed by ex-general Than Shwe. That is because Aung San Suu Kyi has no control over the duty and role of the UN commission. Neither does China have veto power over the legitimate investigation of the UN.
The criminal acts committed by ex-general Than Shwe and his cronies cannot be ignored and written off from the world human rights record of brutality.
Nor can we forget the suffering and agony of the survivors of the abused victims of ex-generals and their inhumane soldiers.
Please do not forget the enormous time spent and extreme difficulties experienced by those who are tirelessly involved and who obtained documents and evidence out of the repressive regime to submit to the UN commission. They should not be let down.
The UN commission should not tarnish its good image and dignity as a world-respected organisation by dropping the case of inquiry into Burma’s brutal general Than Shwe in return for their superficial reforms. It should duly carry out its tasks and responsibilities in preserving justice for humankind and protecting human rights. Justice must be done accordingly for the victims of human rights abuse.
Aung Ko Gyi
aungkogyi@yaho
Bangkok
The views expressed above are the writer’s own and do not in any way reflect The Nation’s editorial policy.