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View all search resultsLesson from Myanmar: Hold on for dear life to democracy
Anyone wondering about an “Asian way” or “ASEAN way” out of Myanmar’s troubles needs only look to the demands and ingenuity of the people.
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T
he troops of Myanmar have gone berserk — more than 550 civilians, including dozens of children, have been killed since the coup on Feb. 1. Reports suggest that too much of the seemingly random shootings are live rounds hitting the head, neck and chest; and many killing minors playing near their homes or while fleeing hot spots. The Tatmadaw, or military, denies allegations of the United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener that children are even being shot in their homes where family members are reportedly suspected protesters.
On April 7, myanmar-now.org cited “numerous reports all over the country of bodies being destroyed by the military before families could identify them or perform religious rites.” A family member said soldiers handed them a pile of charred bones, saying they were of their missing relative. The next day’s report was of the detention of a 4-year-old and her other relatives because the Tatmadaw could not locate her father, an official of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, the victory of which in the November general election was not recognized by the military.
“We’ve been here before,” says founding editor-in-chief of The Irrawaddy, Aung Zaw. Before the 2007 Saffron Revolution led by monks, thousands were killed in protests in 1988. The military’s war with ethnic groups fighting for greater autonomy has lasted more than 70 years; now they face citizens across towns and villages, a civil disobedience movement involving even high-ranking officials and reportedly a few defectors among soldiers.
As leaders and diplomats grapple over wording and sanctions on Myanmar to avoid ruffling the big powers, it’s the youth of one of the poorest nations who are showing valuable lessons for us — richer Asian citizens with a higher average level of education.
It’s that once you have gone so far to achieve some democracy, you hold on to it for dear life — literally.
You don’t give it up for a shortcut to “stability” just because fellow citizens are said to be “not ready” for democracy. You don’t give popular elected leaders a virtual blank check just because there are too few good guys and as “too much freedom” has unleashed demagogues, too many hoaxes, annoying vigilantes and even terrorists.
With help from Myanmar’s veterans of “1988”, today’s adults and their younger brothers and sisters remember — the last time Myanmar’s people had to cede power to the military, the junta stayed put for 30 years, says Debbie Stothard of ALTSEAN Burma, which campaigns on the region’s human rights.
