Since the overwhelming show of solidarity on the 27 May Global Day of Action, groups around the world have collected thousands of postcard ballots calling for “People’s Elections” instead of the upcoming military “selection.” With our deadline quickly approaching, please take this opportunity to stand with the people of Burma and sign the online postcard calling on your government to denounce the regime’s sham elections.
As Burma draws closer to the upcoming 2010 elections, the military junta has made it clear that these elections will not be free or fair and the military will remain in power, albeit under a civilian, ‘democratic’ guise. That much is clear.
Recent events have only confirmed this:
The social wing of the SPDC, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), has transformed into a proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), headed by Prime Minister and former general Thein Sein, staffed by many military officials responsible for the devastating Depayin Massacre, and are now conducting manipulative electioneering throughout the country.
The Democratic Voice of Burma exposed the SPDC’s nuclear weapon program, funded by the US$4.83 billion profits from the Chevron and Total backed Yadana gas project; a factory dedicated to the nuclear program has recently been handed over to a ‘civilian’ wing of the government.
The SPDC has continued the torture, targeting and imprisonment of opposition party members, and extended sentences of political prisoners, including one NLD Youth arrested for handing out portraits of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, while another activist died in prison due to neglect.
Now that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, and other democratic and ethnic opposition parties inside Burma have determined they cannot participate in these flawed elections, it is more important than ever that those outside of Burma raise their voices in support.
The EU and ASEAN recently released a joint statement repeating precisely the same position that allows the junta to carry out their sham elections and continue its military dictatorship. The international community must stop repeating the same hollow calls for free and fair elections, when the military’s flawed 2008 Constitution and restrictive election laws have already guaranteed that free and fair elections in Burma are impossible.
Our postcard campaign will end on June 19th, a day when we honor not only Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday, but also her vision for a democratic federal union of Burma. The postcards will be delivered to your government, calling on them to denounce the military elections and refuse to recognize the results unless the junta changes course.
Stand in solidarity with the people of Burma and make your voice heard! Join us in our campaign for true democracy and peace in Burma. Sign the online postcard on our website and spread the word with website buttons on your blog or website.
(Source: Burma Partnership, 9 June 2010)
