Burma is changing but Human Rights is still an issue: Münster Conference

RB News

June 16, 2013

Münster, Germany: On 15th of June, Amnesty International Münster has organized a penal discussion on Burma Human Rights situation by the theme of “How to improve Human Rights in Burma” at Münster Community College.

More than 50 persons attended the penal discussion including some Burmese nationals with various ethnic backgrounds. The penal was moderated by Dr. Ludger Weckel, co-founder and member of the Institute of Theology and Politics, Münster. The penal speakers include; 

• U Nwe Aung, former Director of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) 
• Ulrich Delius, Society for The Persecuted People, NGO, Göttingen
• Andreas Cochlovius, Chairman of Lawyers Without Borders, Frankfurt
• Tanja Gohlert, European Burma Office (EBO) in Brussels
• Ruprecht Polenz, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament (from current governing party CDU)
• Phuong Le Trong, a lecturer, Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Bonn
• Christoph Strässer, Member of the Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the German Parliament (from opposition SPD party)

U Nwe Aung presented about the 2008 Constitution which is regarded as flawed. 25% Military presence in the parliament makes the Constitution more undemocratic and non amendable. “Though current government is called democratic civilian government, the final say is with the Chief of Staff which means the Military is the supreme ruler of the country.” he explained.

“IDPs and Refugees are the products of long standing ethnic conflicts” said Ulrich Delius. He has highlighted the need of political will from the government to end the internal conflicts permanently. He has also stated that the suffering of IDPs and Refugees of Rohingyas, Kachin, Karen and other minorities has to be acknowledged by the government. Burma government should take these issues seriously and tackle by the combined efforts of law enforcement and civil societies supported by NGOs helping capacity building of those persecuted people.

Mr. Adreas Cochlovius said that German government has a misconception on Burma’s reforms. Burmese ethnic people seeking Asylum in Germany have been rejected due to that misconception that Burma has already transformed to a democratic country. But actual Human Rights situation in Burma is still considerably poor. Many ethnic people such as Rohingyas are under severe human rights violations and the persecution on Minorities spread to Muslim minorities around Burma. “Federal government should see clearly the existence of persecution in Burma and treat Burmese Asylum seekers in accordance with the current Human Rights records” he said.

Tanja Gohlert praised the national reconciliation process in Burma which is getting momentum. “Recent reconciliation between Burmese government and Kachin ethnicity is a milestone and is the great achievement in this political reform.” she said. She added that the current civilian government’s approach to national reconciliation is serious and as Burma lacks resources and capacity, more time is need to achieve nationwide reconciliation level.

Phuong Le Trong discussed about the diversity of the ethnic minorities in Burma. Bringing all ethnicity under one umbrella is difficult unless government treats them as equal and respects their human dignity and rights. “Government should approach the diversity issue in a positive way and should bring strength and power out of the diversity” he said.

Chairman of the foreign affairs committee explained that Burma is located in a geopolitically important place. It is a place that needs a balance between Western democracies and China economic influence. Constructive engagement is the better way to persuade Burma to a democratic and rights respecting country rather than isolating it. But Germany will keep monitoring Burma Human Rights records and investment and engagement will be reflected on actual situations.

Christoph Strässer discussed about how the constructive engagement will serve as an incentive to Burmese reforms. At the same time, Burmese government should end long suffering of innocent people caught up in ethnic conflicts. The conflict with ethnic people is manmade and it can be solved by discussion, negotiation and mutual respect. Germany will be extra careful when companies are investing in Burma to see whether these investments serve community development, equality and human rights.

Some of the audiences have raised their concern on existing human rights violations in Burma. Some have suggested that by having too much engagement and support to current Burmese government, it could be interpreted as Western countries are satisfied with Burmese Human Rights records. Some also asked the MPs to monitor the human rights situation very carefully and to recommend German investment and engagement accordingly. 

The penal discussion is successfully concluded at 7PM with the remarks that “Burma is changing but Human Rights is still an issue that Burmese government must address seriously if it wants to be named as a full fledge Democratic Nation”.