Myanmar’s military leaders pressured to free Suu Kyi

Parliamentarians from Europe, Latin America and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are putting more pressure on Myanmar’s military junta to institute democratic reforms and free its political prisoners.

Lawmakers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, along with exiled pro-democracy Myanmar politicians, have passed a resolution urging the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to put international pressure on Myanmar to comply with its pledge to institute tangible democratic reforms, including the immediate and unconditional release of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy (NLD) president Khun Tun Oo and other opposition leaders.

The resolution also called on ASEAN leaders to block Myanmar from assuming the chairmanship of the ASEAN next year unless its military junta stops the ongoing harassment of political parties in Myanmar and reopens party offices around the country; declares a nationwide ceasefire to pave the way for tripartite talks with opposition groups; and ends human rights violations such as forced relocation, torture, the use of forced labor, rape and other forms of sexual violence.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel said the continuing political repression and rampant human rights violations in Myanmar were intensely debated at the IPU general assembly.

"That was the most important thing for us," said Pimentel, vice chairman of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus.

The Philippine Senate is also set to approve a resolution urging the Arroyo administration to block Myanmar from taking over the chairmanship of ASEAN next year unless its military junta frees Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since September 2003, and improves its human rights record.

"The key issue is for Myanmar to follow the roadmap," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said. "If they follow the roadmap, then there is no problem because that is what we want to happen."

Yangon’s generals earlier promised to fulfill the "roadmap for democracy" which was laid out in 2003 by then prime minister Khin Nyunt, who was removed from office last October. It consists of a list of reforms such as freeing political dissidents, drafting a new constitution and allowing a special envoy from the United Nations to revisit the country.

ASEAN foreign ministers are set to gather for a three-day meeting beginning Sunday in Cebu to decide whether Myanmar should chair the next gathering of the group. Leadership is passed on in alphabetical order to a different member-nation each year, he said. Malaysia currently holds the ASEAN chair.

At least four ASEAN foreign ministers have already indicated that they might try to block Myanmar from leading the regional bloc unless it introduces democratic reforms.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said ASEAN’s decision would be crucial to its image in the eyes of the world. "It’s a defining moment for the ASEAN," he said.

Exiled Myanmar pro-democracy politicians attending the IPU assembly warned that their country’s military rulers would likely try to pacify international criticism with superficial reforms and more empty promises, so governments should press for genuine change.

ASEAN drew Myanmar out from isolation in 1997, taking a more conciliatory approach of "constructive engagement" with Yangon’s reclusive generals, who have ignored international calls to follow the roadmap.

Meanwhile, legislators from Sweden, Venezuela, Chile and Canada expressed their support for the ASEAN parliamentarians’ plan to block Myanmar from assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN.

Swedish lawmaker Kaj Nordquist said it was ridiculous for Myanmar to be part of the ASEAN club of decent democratic states.

He said the international community may have to use the stick instead of the carrot because of Myanmar’s refusal to undertake genuine democratic reform.

Chilean senator Edgardo Boeninger said democratic reforms in Myanmar are "long overdue," with Suu Kyi’s release "an absolutely essential element to start" them. This stand was echoed by Venezuelan lawmaker Adolfo Taylhardat.

Canadian lawmaker Judy Wasylcia-Leis urged all parliamentarians attending the IPU assembly to bring the issue of Myanmar before their respective governments and pressure them to take action. This appeal was supported by exiled Myanmar member of parliament Dr. Tint Swe, a member of Suu Kyi’s NLD party that won 82 percent of the seats in parliament but which was prevented by the ruling junta from assuming power. — With Pia Lee-Brago