Welcoming the Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Genuine National Reconciliation

December 3, 2010

Along with the people in Burma and international community, the Mon people and Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) are glad to see that Burma’s democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was released on November 13.

Many people expect she can make a change for Burma, as she also officially spoke about building up a ‘national reconciliation’. But since the regime change after November 7 was not significant, whether she can move forward or deal with the regime in getting genuine national reconciliation remains a question.

The people in the entirety of Burma have suffered enough because of no ‘national reconciliation’ in this country. The regime has not tolerated the people ‘s freedom of speech and assembly since 1988 and the people’s and Buddhist monks’ peaceful demands’ for national reconciliation and peace are always rejected.

Ceasefire talks with ethnic armed groups do not proceed toward peace and reconciliation. The regime uses them just for show and never guarantees them rights to their lands, property, language, and culture preservation. By the end, when there is no political guarantee, a dozen ethnic armed groups again oppose the, now new, USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party) government. When the new civil war breaks out the ethnic people in all of the border regions will face more suffering through displacement and migration from their homes.

Yet, ethnic people have always been expecting national reconciliation because they want to stay at their homes safely and work in their farms without harm. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can bring peace and reconciliation, then change for all of the people will really happen.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Commentary