The letter from Ashin Gambira (2007 Saffron Revolution Activist) to Ms. Yu Ko Ko

Dear respected Ms Yu Ko,

I am quite sad after reading the news (about the present Rakhine-Rohingya riots). I should be surprised and angry but I do not suffer much because since the news started earlier, I have already expected that these could happen and actually all these happen one after another as I have expected.

For those political pundits, the racial riots like the present Rakhine-Rohingya conflicts are not strange or unexpected wonderful events. Like all other dictators around the world, a group of Myanmar Military dictators are doing the same things repeatedly to hold on their power. Since 1962 Coup, “to hold on the power of military dictatorship” they have done to disunite the people by numerous “divide and rule” methods.

Myanmar people are divided politically, racially, religiously, economically, educationally and in all fields by using the various media, news, books, various entertainment platforms etc. Military rulers put wedges between the various strata and groups of Myanmar people to divide into numerous factions and sub-groups. The worse is that as the military dictators have successfully installed a deep seated mistrust and fear inside the hearts and minds of the people and they never trust each other anymore.

Even during the recruitment exercises for the rebels in the Ethnic Minority areas, instead of advocating to fight the Military Dictatorship, they wrongly used the propaganda to fight the “Maha Bama dominance system.” So they became the victims of suspicion, disunity and mistrust. These could weaken the people’s spirits of “Union-Nationalism” and “Panlong Unity” will. These brought in suspicions, frictions and tension between the Bamas and other ethnic groups of Myanmar. This is the result of the systematic propaganda used for the survival of a group of people in the military dictatorship regime in Myanmar.

There is no true democracy and human rights violations are practiced for more than 50 years in our country. (Exactly speaking it is 5 months more than 50 years.) For a 50 year old man, he has never even able to taste what democracy, freedom, human rights, equal rights, justice and fairness in his whole lifespan. Our citizens are hungry for democracy and human rights for many decades and we all are madly wishing and yearning for these universal values.

Ms Yuko’s Japanese and democratic people from other side of the world are all same human beings like our people. But are we lost and are denied of democracy? We are now living in the 21st century and in the age of globalization but our democracy is destroyed our basic principles of human rights are still violated in our country.

During the Saffron Revolution in 2007, the guidance of the Buddha’s religion: peace and loving-kindness were violently destroyed. People around the world know that we did not use any violence but just give the peaceful pronouncement and prayers of Buddha’s Dahhma and marched for peace only. We have been shot, some were killed and many were beaten violently and thrown into long term jail by the military government.

Because of that, Thomas Ojea Quintana of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights had spoken out clearly that it was the act against humanity.

Illegal Myanmar Military government had tried me with unjust laws and regulations and sentenced me for 68 years’ jail term. I not only lost the freedom but my health and education for about four years in the prison.

Present Government is flaunting the world that it is a legitimate government elected by the people of Myanmar and now is also pretending to look as if they are decently honest and innocent. But they are the same old Military Generals disguised as civilians by just leaving their uniforms in their closets and wearing the mufti (dress). But they have not changed anything even during this so called “Transformation period to Democracy” but they are used to their old habits of “Divide and Rule politics” which they have shown on the President’s interview with VOA Myanmar Section head. Once there appeared localized sporadic protests by the disgruntled people demanding their needs and requests for Human Rights and other Rights around Myanmar, the Military Generals conveniently created this Rakhine-Rohingya Racial and Religious conflict to divert the people’s attention.

This trick is a very simple and obvious one for as the Government had incited the monks to invoke hatred on its Muslim citizens on numerous occasions to create Religious Riots before. Now as there are “Metta Campaign for Peace” with the slogan for “peace and democracy” amongst different religions, it is difficult for the Military Dictators to start an Anti-Muslim Riots in the mainland Myanmar proper. So they turn to create an easy job of Rakhine-Rohingya Riots in Arakan State. (I am sad to see that) Military disguised “civilian” government is even supported by some people known as democracy activists.

Even if the initial problem of crime were true, they need to take action according to the criminal law. No need to play up the racial issue. Whether they are Rohingyas or Rakhines or Bamas or Shans, all must be treated equally under the law. Why highlight the Race in order to create a Racial Conflict? Why repeatedly reported and emphasize that only the Rohingyas are wrong. In Bangladesh, if any other races do crimes against Buddhist Marama Gyis or Marghs, Bangladesh government always used to take action on the criminals irrespective of race and religions.

I am very sad to know that some Buddhist monks joined these stupid demonstrations and campaigns discriminating against Rohingya.

We enlightened the whole world with the light of the Dharma in 2007. Do I need to explain the details of the words of Buddha: Ahintha, Metta, Dharma,Peace and Thitsa for all of you? I wrote a letter to the family about the Thima-Thatbeida and Banna Thima while I was in the jail. I just remember that the Thima-Thatbeida written by a Japanese monk was translated by a Myanmar lady journalist and published in the “Ah Twe Ah Myin” (Opinion) magazine in May 2010. I want to discuss with you if I have a chance to send its copy.

Ms. Yu Ko, as you know, my health is not so good and I need to rest a lot. Once released from the prison, I wish to write about my experience of the revolution, my prison experiences, my dark days there, about my lost of hope there and later about the current political conditions in our country. But I could not write all those desires and experiences into practice because of my ill health. May be I could write all these when my health is better. Even now I am trying to write this because my heart could not continue to bear (the injustices of the Rohingya Riots) although I am suffering from severe head ache. Please reply after reading my letter.

Respectfully
With Metta

Signed (26.8.2012)

Gambira @ Hlaing Bwa

Meikhtila Industralized Zone

26.8.2012

Translated by Dr. Ko Ko Gyi