PSPD in English Int. Solidarity 2004-09-10   2021

Joint Declaration by Korean civil society organizations supporting the democratization movement in Burma

Joint Declaration by Korean civil society organizations supporting the democratization movement in Burma
– Celebrating the 6th anniversary of the founding of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament in Burma

Burma, which attained independence after the British and Japanese colonial rules, has been under dictatorship for over 40 years since the military coup in 1962. During the time, political freedom of Burmese has been severely limited and the national economy has gone from bad to worse, degenerating into one of the poorest countries in the world. On top of that, the minorities in the country composed of diverse peoples have been oppressed and even their own survival are being threatened as the military junta focus only on the Burmese people, the majority in Burma.
On August 8, 1988, there was a mass uprising to protest the military rule and dreadful economic conditions. The military conducted a cruel crack down on the protest, leaving thousands to even tens of thousands dead. Those who were lucky to survive had to be jailed, labeled as political criminals. And universities have been shutdown since then.
After the protest, the military suggested, as a gesture for reconciliation, that it would hold a multi-party general election in 1990. When the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory in the 1990 election, however, the military junta not only refused to hand over power, but also jailed or executed a number of members of the parliament and curtailed the rights of the parliament.
Then, in an attempt to avoid criticism from the international community, the military junta changed the name of the country to Myanmar and has tried to recover the fragile economy by attracting investment from major developed nations and tourists. But the junta has never listened to people’s demand for basic human rights and peace.
After all, Burma’s civil society, which showed the possibility of restoring in the wake of the 8888 struggle, again fell into the state of suspended animation, faced with harsh oppression and extortion. More and more activists opt for political asylum. As many Burmese go overseas to work due to fragile domestic economy, many of them become illegal residents in host countries and their rights are infringed. Not only that, a large number of women migrant workers including those in their teens engage in the sex industry. And many minorities who were deprived of their homes become nomads, wandering about the jungle or flee for refugee in neighboring countries.
On September 16, 2004, Korean civil organizations concerned about the situation in Burma express our support for the unswerving struggle of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP), which celebrates its 6th anniversary and deliver our demands to the current military junta of Burma.

– First, recognize the representation and legitimacy of the CRPP which strives to make the parliament elected by the people return to normal and work.
– Second, release all the so-called political criminals who have been illegally imprisoned and take action to uncover the truth and work for reconciliation.
– Third, immediately stop the criminal activities such as destroying the residential areas and forcing the residents to work for economic development, and oppressing the minorities.

Despite the fact that the Burmese military junta is under harsh criticism from the international community for its cruel oppression, the Korean government and some companies are silent about the situation in Burma and rather cooperate with the military junta for the short-term profits. Thus, we also express our demands to the Korean government and companies.

The Korean government and companies, as responsible members of the international community, should take interest in democratization and improvement of human rights in Burma.

September 16, 2004
(Signatories – 45 civil society organizations in Korea)

International Solidarity Committee

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