by Banya Hongsar, Canberra – As a citizen of the Union of Burma (Myanmar), a journalist, and an activist for democratic reform in my country, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the US government and the people of the USA for helping my country, the sorry land of many human beings who have been oppressed by the government for half of a century. There is hope that our country of historical and political conflicts of over two centuries will soon be shedding light to the western world that Burma is emerging into a civilized community with sense of fairness and justices for all citizens. I humbly hope that the US government’s genuine will to free the people of Burma from their misery will bring fruitful outcomes. This is my personal reflection of the past and present of my country with a sense of hope for the future.
America’s new Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma, Derek Mitchell, ended his first visit to Burma on 14 September with encouraging words to me and the people of Burma. That peaceful transition is in the best interest of Burma has been expressed by the past and present administration of the US government. A small nation like Burma has little impact in terms of shaping global political reform unless it first concentrates on its own domestic political changes. The US administration wishes to see stable Southeast Asian nations that will be able to avoid the unnecessary costs of war, unlike those in the Middle East region.
I was born in a small village in Mon State with only two primary schools for over 3,000 children in 1980s. The village built a new high school with the contributions from local villagers last year, according to a source from my college in the village. I estimate that there are over 10,000 children in my village waiting to attend this single high school. This is one example that the national government has been ineffective for many decades. The country wastes its own human resources and human capital because children miss out on basic and vocational education.
The US government values freedom of expression and freedom of political participation, as amended in its constitution during the 18th century. Liberation of people is valued dearly in the mentality of the Americans in the past two centuries, while we have been oppressed by our own government. My village, language, and culture will not survive unless local tribes or the ethnic people are legally granted licenses for teaching and using our language and cultural identity, and the ability to exercise political rights under the constitution. It is my moral responsibility like any other citizen of Burma that language, cultural, and political rights are granted under the new constitution in order that we can serve the best interest of people and ethnicity. The US government has constantly reminded the government of Burma during the last twenty years that minority rights must be addressed as a process of democratization in the country.
Mr. Mitchell held a press conference at Rangoon’s Mingalandon Airport and said, “To the folks in Naypyidaw, I said that we remain open to assisting with helping them do jobs like investigating or ensuring accountability in ethnic minority areas in the interests of national reconciliation. So, again, our minds are open, but are arms are outstretched too to assist as we can in making them a fully credible and productive institution in the interests of national reconciliation, human rights and democracy.”
I have worked and lived in a western country for the past 15 years with a sense of hope that a new political dynamic will rise in my time if the US and EU leaders approach engagement with the government and people of Burma with a strong policy on human rights and international law. I have experienced in western countries that a responsibility of citizens in a democratic nation is legally laid out in the laws, from road rules to building a home, and other domestic affairs. I never expect that Burmese will transform their cultural identity like Americans or Britons, even if a truly democratic institution is introduced in the next ten to twenty years. However, I expect the new generation of Burma to have open minds and open doors like citizens of Thailand, India, or China for better education, employment, health and economy achievements. Racial discrimination will be eradicated in our time because it is against human rights. The US government wishes to see peace and development for all people of Myanmar within Burma’s social and cultural context.
It is my great hope that a new vision for political rights under the constitution and the rule of laws are constituted in the new parliament of Burma. With a united political campaign from the US and other western nations and within the force of our civil forces, a sorry land could become a happy land in the next few years. However, the promises of Burma’s new president and his policymakers need to be carried out.
Burma’s Foreign Minister, His Excellency U Wunna Maung Lwin, addressed and reported an official statement to the 18th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 13 September. The Minister concluded his six-page report by affirming to the US government and UN representatives that, “Myanmar today has entered a new era. The new constitutional government is pursuing the national goal of building a modern, developed, and democratic nation. Progress in the political, economic and social sectors of the country will be incremental, systematic and dynamic. Myanmar is changing, and changing for real progress.”
For the optimism of the foreign minister, I hope civil war will cease in the next six months, a peace process will commence within a year, and political dialogue will convene as promised by the president and ethnic leaders. Finally, I hope the US administration and Mr. Mitchell are not treated dishonestly by the officials of the Union of Burma in the 21st century of diplomacy.
As a Mon citizen of the Union of Burma, I will play my part for better education and peace building through freedom of the press, freedom of association, and political participation at local and national levels when the time comes. A democratic Mon State will be born under the new federation of Burma like the USA today. A United States of Burma, along the lines of the United States of America, is my last hope. However, I do not rely on words, but action must be proven by officials of the government that the nation is changing not only its image, but its constitutional laws.
