We Cannot Remain Silent

Hello,

My name is Tim and although I have already contributed to this blog, I think I should provide a little more information about who I am and why it is that I came to support democracy and human rights in Burma. I grew up knowing very little about Burma. Not once did I study it in school nor had I ever met anyone from Burma before. In fact, by the time I had even become aware of it, Burma had already been renamed Myanmar by its military leadership.

The first time I found out about the situation in Burma was during my final year as an undergraduate. At the time I was very interested in the human rights problems of North Korea but I felt as though I should broaden my understanding of issues in the rest of Asia. So I went online to the Amnesty International website and the very first thing that popped up was a picture of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and a call to action demanding that Burma release her and the rest of its approximately 1300 political prisoners. I was instantly fascinated to find out more so I read on and then participated in the letter-writing campaign being advocated.

I could not believe that as a citizen in a country where the media is purported to be fair, well-rounded and uncensored, that I could not recall the last time or any time that I had ever heard a thing about Burma. I don't even think I could have placed it on the map. And it is not as though I had no awareness of the world around me. I had been involved in Model UN and taken a number of classes in International Relations, but still never any discussion of Burma. I was absolutely shocked that probably at some time during my education, a professor or fellow student had been aware of what was going on in Burma, yet not taken the opportunity to say something. I believe that no one should be at fault for simply not knowing, but to know and to remain silent is to be complicit to the tyranny of the SPDC. I should add that I am not referring to those inside of Burma whose lives might be at risk if they dare criticize or protest the regime. It is truly remarkable what heroic Burmese such as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Ko Aung Din, Ko Min Ko Naing, Ma Su Su Nway have done to stand up for human rights and democratic freedoms. However, it is unfair to expect all Burmese to make similar sacrifices.

Returning to my main topic, I think that Daw Suu's famous quote, "Please use your liberty to promotes ours" says so much about why I have chosen to be involved. I cannot unlearn what I now know about Burma and so as long as I know there is a call inside of Burma for the establishment of democracy, for the creation of a fair and just judicial system and for the recognition and enjoyment of human rights then I will use my capabilities as a citizen of the US to advocate on behalf of the 52 million Burmese inside of Burma whose voices have been muffled by years of military rule.


Tim

Lets give a hand to those who are unable to speak out

Today I met with one of my friends who I have not been seeing for a while as she lives in Mizoran State of Inida. She comes to the United States to advocate the issue of human rights violation in Chin State by the Burmese military regime. We had a long conversation almost the whole evening and thus, I got to know from her that Chin women organization is preparing a report on the sexual violence against women by the military soldiers in Chin State, and the report will be publicized internationally soon, hopefully in March or April. Like other women in Burma, Chin women have not been able to escape from rapes and other kinds of sexual abuses by the military regime. However, there is not much attention given to the situation of women in Chin State, since the problem in eastern Burma is more obvious and worse than in any other places. I was glad to hear that Chin women are trying to make the issue known among the international communities. At the same time, I also felt sad that this kind of brutal human rights abuses are happening everywhere in Burma. Under the military regime, women; young or old, married or single are targeted to rapes and different forms of sexual abuses by the military. However, not many people in the world know what is happening in Burma. It is very important to let the world know about the brutalities of the Burmese military regime. Burmese people need help and support. Since we are living in a democratic society, I believe that we can do something to help these women who are not able to express their own voices. I believe that unless the humanitarian community or international community insists on minimum-security assurances for the vulnerable, rape and sexual violence against women will continue unabated in Burma. ///// Khin

update news from Burma and DC

Hi Everyone,

Greetings from Ingjin.

Today, I'd like to post update information of recent protest in Rangoon. The Burmese military regime has arrested at least five people, the day after a public protest over living conditions in Burma. One of the protesters had been arrested during the demonstration on Thursday and remained in custody. State media say the protest was illegal and had caused panic among shopkeepers and passers-by.

By the way, it is a good news that Earthrights International is organizing the Washington, DC Thai Embassy Demonstration for the Global Day of Action against the Damming of the Salween River. Please visit a following website to see their flyer for the event.
http://www.earthrights.org/files/Burma%20Project/salween_dams_global_call_to_action_-_dc_28_feb_07.doc

Hope to see you there.

"May Yesterday's Tear be Tomorrow's Rainbow"

It was 1999 when I just saw my grade that was qualified to get an admission from the medical school of Burma. Unfortunately, I was one of them who were in line waiting for the opening day of the universities in Burma. At that time, Brazil was celebrating its World Club Championship but my mom and I were preparing to leave home.

My first step to Thailand made me free from the detection of the military dictators, on the other hand, insecure and fear as an illegal person in the border town called Maesot where plenty of crimes and transmitted diseases were alive.

As soon as I fell in sleep on the floor of factory workers’ dormitory, I dreamt about my dad who was arrested in the military detention centre so called guest house for his boycott to the unfair law of the military tyrant and my mom who was trying to attend the local NLD office regularly.

One morning after I woke up and went to a garment factory for a dollar per day, I found many young faces those I was supposed to see on my school days. I was quite relieved that I was not alone there but indignant that we were getting a wrong place. Some of them were freshers like me who just graduated from high school. Some are senior students with the majors of the economics, history and others.

I was wondering…

Were they learning the economics by working in a garment factory, as an illegal worker, earning low wages?

Were they making Burma history by leaving their homeland for Thailand?

Most people were familiar with Thai Custody but they would never tell anyone in Burma. Some people were teachers in Burma but they said they had left their degrees hanging on the fence of Burma border and underemployed in Thailand.

I cried everyday and felt sorrowful for my hopeless future until I met some people who were pro-democratic activists of Burma.

Nowadays, I am working as a professional in the United States and living with my family but I never forget the days I cried and the tears of my friends on those days.

I wish those tears be rainbow for tomorrow.

Winmay

Love in the mist of tragedy

Hello! My name is Myat Noe. I am a junior at the University of Maryland double-majoring in Operations Management and Logistics. Here is something I would like to share with you all. Please feel free to comment.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a hero to many people. She is my personal hero. I admire her commitment to work for freedom and democratization. Her charisma, her intelligence, her perseverance, her meekness, her vision, and many more fine qualities make her a great leader. Recently, I have added one more reason to my list as to why she is my inspiration. I truly revere her for the sacrifices she made for Burma. Almost two decades ago she returned to Burma and hope was restored to the people. She was strong enough to make a decision to give up her current life as a mother, and as a wife to take on a great and difficult task. I am sure everyone knows her story well. I have been an activist and I have always supported the pro-democracy movement. I have read her biography and I thought I knew her well too. But I have never placed myself in her situation before until recently.

God has brought the man of my dreams into my life. I have found love and I just cannot image how heartbreaking and tormenting it would be to lose him. How did Daw Suu do it? I wonder how her family felt and how supportive they were of her decision. Would I have done the same thing? I thought I could. I was single; I was independent; I was alone, and I had nothing to lose. I was ready to exchange my life for Burma’s freedom. Would I give up life now? The more appropriate question is: Would I give up love and the chance of happiness with the man I adore to go back to Burma? Conditions in my life have changed. I no longer believe that I am courageous enough to make a sacrifice like that. I have someone special; I am looking forward to sharing a beautiful life with him. I am sure Daw Suu was content and that she had a happy life. Yet she forfeited everything to carry on a heavy burden. For that I respect her so much. I admire Daw Suu for her restless dedication to the people of Burma. I could never be like her.

The good news is I am blessed to have a special someone who does not only support me one hundred percent, but passionately and actively fighting for human rights and democracy along my side. I realized that I am not selfish. The truth of the matter is Daw Suu is profoundly altruistic. The lesson here is that we are all different and we each have a purpose in life and in the cause. As long as we continue to contribute our effort and work together as one I believe Burma will be freed. Long live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Sharing news on Burma

Hi guys,

It's me, Khin. I know that today is not my day to share a thought but I just want to share you a piece of news about what happen in Burma today. Today, at noon time (Burmese standard time), a group of young Burmese held a protest in the capital of Rangoon, a rare show of defiance to the country's military-ruled leaders. They called for lower consumer prices, 24-hour electricity and better living conditions. They carried placard, shouted slogans, and marched peacefully in the middle of the city. (Look at the picture) They were all together 12 when they started the demonstration but some people joined them later and the number reached to 40-50. However, as usual armed police came and stopped the demonstration. At least two protesters were arrested including the man who led the demonstration. The two local journalists (one woman and one man) who work for foreign media were also taken away by police. Eyewitnesses said that people cheered the protesters and they were very excited since they have not been seeing this kind of scene for many years under the brutal military regime. No further information on what happen to those who were taken away by the police yet.

New Blogger

Hi,

My name is Renee and I have been involved with Padaukpan since its beginning which is about a year now. I think. Well . . at least its not more than a year. Because over a year ago I was living in Park Slope, Brooklyn and now I live in washington dc. In fact everyone who participates (except Khin who goes to school in NYC) lives around DC.

We decided to start this group to help raise awareness for the women from Burma. I have my assumptions about why everyone else is involved in creating and sustaining this group, but I'm just going to tell you my reasons.

In 1999 I saw a guy named Jeremy speak about the situation in Burma. I had never even heard of Burma before that night. But I listened and watched his slideshow and I was moved. Maybe it's incredible voice or his ernest concern or maybe it was just a moment where I thought I can't NOT do something, but I've been doing something ever since. I think more than anything else I was terribly confused about how the world didn't know about what was happening there. I mean in 1988 hundreds of people were murdered in the streets of their very city by their very own government. Why hadn't I ever heard of it? Why wasn't I reading about it in the newspapers? Why wasn't it front page that a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize was under house arrest? (By the way 7 years later I'm still wondering).

Well I don't want to go on and on about why I show up every two weeks for a meeting of Padaukpan but I do want to explain why we have this blog.

We want the world to know why we care. We want the world to know all the things we know about the situation in Burma. We think in some way that if we talk about in every form possible to as many people as possible maybe we can make a difference. Maybe if enough people find out and are as stunned as we are, maybe the violence will stop.

If you don't know about the situation in Burma, then take a look at the Us Campaign For Burma website.

Thanks and I'll talk to you every Monday. (Each day you'll hear from someone in our group).

-- Renee

The human toll of corruption in Burma

Today while I was in a meeting of students preparing to return to the Thai-Burma border next month and record the perspectives of Burmese youth activists studying, living and working in secrecy, avoiding the Thai police or else facing a possible deportation to Burma, I thought about the culture of corruption that exists in Thailand. However, it was only seconds later that my thoughts shifted to Burma, where corruption not only exists, it is ever-present. It is arguable as to how high corruption pervades Thai politics, but it is a certainty that in Burma it pulsates at every layer. I remember when I was in Rangoon last summer I visited Shwedagon Pagoda and was guided by a man of about the same age as me. He had a ripe sense of humor and took a great deal of pride in his work, answering all of my questions thoroughly and often providing his own commentary and not just plainly giving the scripted tour he had probably given many times before. After our time together was over he asked that I walk with him to have a seat underneath a large tree out of the sight of a nearby military guard casually wielding a large machine gun. When we sat down I compensated him for the tour and he kindly explained to me that if we had made the exchange plain view of the guard, then he probably would have had to give the guard half. It occured to me how sadly ironic this situation was that the very man who was supposed to be guarding us was instead our biggest threat. My guide briefly told me in a faint voice that he had grown tired of his life. He said he worked all day long and still could barely make enough money to get by. He also told me about his girlfriend whom he wished to marry and how he could not make enough money to support her so at best his wish could only be a distant dream so long as he stayed in Burma. I listened to his story intently, pretending to not know about the events of 1988, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or the SPDC's stranglehold on a country that once flourished so proudly. It was difficult for me to sit and feign ignorance because I feared that this man might secretly be a military intelligence operative hoping to expose me as an activist. On the other hand, if this man were telling the truth I felt like I had only confirmed his worst fears, that the outside world was completely blind to what has been happening in Burma. Whether he was genuine or not, his final words were some that I would hear several times more before I left the country. He told me with a trembling in his voice, "Burma is a very good country, but it has a very bad government."

Greeting from Padauk Pan

Hello!

Warmest Greeting from Khin.

For those who are new to our gourp, I would like to introduce you about "Padauk Pan." It's the name that we take it for our group. Do you know what Padauk Pan is? Check the dictionary. NO! I am just kidding. You won't find it in English dictionaries. Well, if you are a Burmese or if you are familiar with Burma, you will know what is Padauk Pan. It's the name of a flower that bloom only once in a year dring the time Burmese people celebrate "Thingyan Festival" (in Burmese) or "Water Festival" (in English). It is Burmese New Year Festival and is celebrated every year on the second week of April (the beginning of a year in Burmese calendar). People throw water to each other and have fun for a week. Well, our traditional belief is that we clean up all the dirtiness with water before entering into a new year. You can also think it logically in another way that April is the hottest period of a year in Burma, so it is a good time to play water and cool ourselves and have fun. Every year in April while we are celebrating New Year Festival, beautiful "Padauk Pan" (picture on the left) blossom everywhere in the country. It is such an amazing season; I always miss that period. Anyway, I hope now you know about "Padauk Pan". This flower is a symbol of faithfulness as it bloom only once in a year and only for one day during Burmese New Year.