Focus on Burma - Human Rights

Canada by virtue of geography and history is a pacific nation. Given that more and more people are emigrating from the Asia-Pacific region, it is an area that we need to pay closer attention to - both economically and politically.

One of the states in the Asia-Pacific region where Canada can play an important role in supporting the establishment of democracy and the rule of law is Burma (Myanmar).

In 1990, the National League for Democracy headed by Aung San Suu Kyi won the national elections with an overwhelming majority. The military regime which has been in power since 1988 the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) repudiated the results claiming that a new constitution must be passed before power could be handed over.

Since then the situation has deteriorated dramatically, causing significant problems for the Burmese people and the immediate states adjacent.

Over the years the United Nations General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights has passed 28 resolutions, sanctions have been imposed by the European Union and the United States and various attempts have been made at trying to unlock the political deadlock in Burma but to no avail.

Why should Canada be concerned about Burma's political situation? A traditional central tenant of Canadian foreign policy has been the promotion and enhancement of human rights around the world. Canada has repeatedly called on Burma's military regime to engage in substantive political dialogue with the leaders of the democracy movement and the ethnic minorities in order to re-establish democracy in the country.

It is estimated that since 1996, over 2,700 villages have been destroyed, creating up to 600,000 displaced people with more than 800,000 people involved in some form of forced labour. There have been many reports of systematic rape by the Burmese military against ethnic minorities. Over 700,000 people have fled the country due to the economic and repressive policies of the regime.

Canada should be concerned because Burma is the second largest exporter of heroin and opiates in the world. It is the source of most of the illegal heroin entering Canada.

Over the past few years, I have had an opportunity to attend parliamentary meetings of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization where I have met with H.E. U Aung Toe, Chief Justice of Burma who was overseeing the drafting of the country's new constitution.

This well educated, articulate individual had repeatedly stated that the emergence of democracy and the drafting of a new constitution takes time. Time is a luxury that the people of Burma do not have.

In the past, I have informed him that he can not expect "business as usual" from the international community and that concrete and effective measures must take place quickly to ensure that Burma becomes part of the international community again.

The Chief Justice maintains that Burma is working to achieve democracy yet Aung San Suu Kyi still is under house arrest, her supporters are constantly jailed or harassed and the country continues to slip into economic ruin.

In the past Canada has supported resolutions at the United Nations condemning the practices of the military regime, and calling on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue.

I believe that the time has come to demonstrate leadership on this issue and work with fellow member states to embrace the report of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Czech President Vaclav Havel entitled "Threat to Peace: A Call for the UN Security Council to Act in Burma."

Their report recommend a multilateral and non sanctions approach by the Security Council, that would empower the Secretary-General of the UN to mediate an immediate end to the situation, including allowing access for the UN and NGO's as well as the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

Canada can play a leadership role in supporting and encouraging action on an issue which has been a blight on the international community for too long.