Essay of the Year

DEMOCRACY OR FEDERALISM IN BURMA

(By Banya Hongsar)

December 1, 2003; Bangkok - Burma, a country of over 50 million with diverse ethnic nationalities, languages, cultures, and histories, has been under military rule for over four decades. Both the Burman and non-Burman people are united when the ruling authority denies the will of the people. The ruling authority rejected the popular vote in 1990, then jailed several politicians including democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Noble Peace Prize winner. Hundred of thousands fled to border areas and into exile but the campaign is still moving ahead with a common goal to bring Burma under a democratic rule.

The ruling military regimes consistently accuse the non-Burman ethnic leaders as attempting "cession" or "State Plot" to the government for years. The Union of Burma (Myanmar) is a unitary state whereas Rangoon totally controls state power. The conflict between Burman and non-Burman nationalities has continued on into the new century but it is still unsolved politically. It is time to review the position of the Rangoon generals as well as non-Burman leaders to find alternative ways to change Burma in the new millennium.

Democracy and federalism in the context of the social and political environments are both debated over and over by Burmese experts for whom the pen is mightier than the sword publishing valuable documents for further study seeking justice, equality, and fairness at home.

There is no doubt that the Burmese people want "democracy"; but "federalism" is questioned by some. When it comes to the rights for ethnic non-Burman people (including native people), the ruling military elite always refuse to bring the matter to the bargaining table.

Since the 1990s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a charisma leader with the full support of the Burmese population, told the general public that they have the duty to participate in the struggle but little action has taken place. Her countless speeches and various messages clearly mention that Burma be ruled by a civilian government and not by the military. Consequently, she and her colleagues were detained, oppressed or sometimes killed by the authority. The world community stands by but no stronger action has yet taken place.

There are many who serve the ruling military and fear losing their jobs and extra benefits if they boycott military interests. Organizations formed by military leaders including the Union Solidarity and Development Association scurry for the interests of the ruling elite at all costs. The general public is made powerless and live in fear being banned to organize action to promote civil society and political rights.

The rural community has no access to information while the urban community is banned to publish independent news and promote a free media. The National League for Democracy has challenged the military rules through non-violent means but the ruling junta acts with violence. The 30th May Depeyin massacre is the best example for an approval.

Federalism is the core agenda for non-Burman ethnic nationalities while they all sought that "democracy" and "federalism" is a one coin that cannot separate into two pieces. The ruling Rangoon Generals control the non-Burman Seven States based under the "Union Constitution" written in 1947, but no single state obtains "Executive Power" by stakeholders from the leaders of non-Burman ethnic nationalities.

When the ruling junta claims only the "Armed Forces" can serve the best interests of the nation, leaders of non-Burman reject such a position proposing to form instead a Federal nation, which was drawn up in the 1950s. The outcome, (51) democratic leaders, including the Burman were either killed, detained, exiled, and forced to flee their country in fear of persecution. The country fell into civil war: thousands were killed, millions displaced and detained in countless numbers by the military rulers. Currently, there are over twenty non-Burman ethnic political organizations both home and in the liberated areas whose leaders adhere to the origin principle put forth in the "Panglong Accord" in 1947. However, senior leaders of State Peace and Development Council refuse to discuss any agenda that contains "Federalism" or "Self-autonomy" or "Self-determination" for the Seven States. Armed organizations are urged to totally surrender to the military government then live under "legal fold".

"Based on Panglong, would be that federation in Burma is about the union of territories, not of ethnic societies or segments. Furthermore, a federation or federalism is a system of sharing power and dividing jurisdiction between and among territorial components making up the union or federation", asserted by Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, a well-known Burmese scholar on his recent paper; "Burma: State Constitutions and The Challenges Facing the Ethnic Nationalities".

Regarding power sharing to non-Burman nationalities, it becomes an obstacle among ruling Burman leaders. Former governments between 1950-1960 under the civilian government led by U Nu failed to accommodate the on going political crisis within Burman who stands on Left and Right Wings factions but against each other. During General Ne Win's rule (1962-1988), he again adopted zero tolerance policy towards non-Burman nationalities.

Current Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of SPDC, shows no interest to resolve the crisis rather politically oppresses his political opponents with any costs. The state owned media and state propaganda team scares the general public as "federalism" is an evil and it is unacceptable proposal to keep territorial integrity. In deed, the ruling General never learns how to live peacefully among people in the country including Burman to Burman. The General sticks on "Power come from the gun" theory adopted by former Military Bosses.

To be put a blunt tone, the ruling General has very narrow sights in politics and social society function because they themselves lockout on the darkness for over forty years. Hence, Burma became a failed state, listed as a Leased Developed Country by the United Nations. Consequently, millions of citizens fled to border areas, neighboring countries for employment and security reasons while many of them live with frustration but few lucky men and women have resettled to a third countries so called "save haven" for Burmese refugees and displaced persons.

To stick in mind, Burmese community is valued itself as a Buddhist dominated society for over two thousands years whose proud themselves as "civilized nation" but those who claim to be Buddhist failed to preserve "Five Principles" [not to kill, lie, rape, steal and intoxication]. It is to be clarified whether the ruling Generals and its followers are genuinely Buddhist fellowmen because they have mistreated Buddhist monks. Their members of USDA robed yellow clothes as bogus monks then attacked civilian led by democratic community. Moreover, the worse case is two nuns who protest against the mismanagement of the government were jailed in Rangoon this year.

Over the year, hundreds of thousands human rights violation stories including rape, forced labor, land confiscation and illegal tax collection have recorded by both national and international organizations but the ruling Generals refused to admit for any acts of violation by government troops. Currently, there are over 1,300 political prisoners including women and young students where they are denied to freely spoke to national and internal human rights defenders. The Rangoon ruling generals adopted its own way to restore democracy, modern nation, peace and unity within its own political agenda but it excluded popular leaders of NLD and urban based non-Burman leaders.

The ruling military leaders made local people to live in fear; poor condition then forced them to find employment in government service for survival. They at least find a good opportunity to be armed private personal in the military. Pro-regime received more advantages than pro-democratic force. There is interested intensive package for new soldiers and other military institutions for new generations. Senior military officials live at a first class on social status while civilian intellectuals are paid no respect by the State. The Rangoon ruling Generals called to conduct a new "National Convention" to many political organizations especially to cease-fire groups. There is no public statement whether the National League for Democracy is invited to the assembly. However, there is no genuinely agenda to bring on the table for further debate on "Democracy and Federalism" in the assembly.

In deed, Burma needs not only democracy and federalism but also a spirit of Buddhism to bring peace, stability and unity in the region.