dimanche, février 21, 2021

Coup d’Etat en Birmanie : au moins deux morts et une trentaine de blessés parmi les manifestants, la répression s’intensifie

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2021/02/19/mort-d-une-manifestante-devenue-une-icone-pour-les-partisans-de-la-democratie-en-birmanie_6070616_3210.html

Coup d'État en Birmanie: Londres sanctionne trois généraux de la junte

https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/coup-d-etat-en-birmanie-londres-sanctionne-trois-generaux-de-la-junte-20210218

La communauté birmane rassemblée à Paris

https://www.24heures.ch/la-communaute-birmane-rassemblee-a-paris-971838467785

samedi, février 20, 2021

Birmanie : l'UE appelle la junte militaire à cesser les violences contre les civils

 https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/birmanie-l-ue-appelle-la-junte-militaire-a-cesser-les-violences-contre-les-civils-20210220

mardi, février 08, 2011

Media/Press Release about economic sanction

Media/Press Release:
A review on sanctions imposed on Burma is released by NLD
Written by Info.NLD
Tuesday, 08 February 2011 20:19
National League for Democracy
97/B, West Shwegondine Road,
Bahan Township , Rangoon
Sanctions on Burma
(A review by the National League for Democracy, 8 February 2011)
In recent months sanctions have repeatedly featured in discussions over the kind of policies that
would best encourage positive change in Burma. Are current administrative policies and
practices conducive to a healthy economy, with or without sanctions? Are allegations that
sanctions have exacerbated the hardships of the people of Burma justified or are such
accusations based on political motives? Are sanctions in their present form likely to achieve the
desired objectives? Are there credible signs of progress in the democratization process? The
issue of sanctions needs to be examined within the broad context of political desiderata and
economic realities.
The extent to which sanctions bear responsibility for the economic hardships of the people of
Burma is a subject that has raised much controversy. The International Monetary Fund has
pinpointed poor economic policies and performances, mismanagement and an unattractive
investment climate as the main causes of the ills of the economy. The Fund does not see
sanctions as a significant factor in regard to the economic problems of the country. It might be
well to consider here the allegation that development has been held back because of a
sanctions related fall in development assistance. It should be noted that most Official
Development Assistance to Burma was stopped only after 1988. However, by December 1987
Burma had already fallen to the status of a Least Developed Country in spite of the 3,712 million
US dollars that was received in aid between 1978-1988.
Have sanctions led to foreign trade constraints harmful to social conditions in Burma? The
volume of Burmese foreign trade has actually increased rapidly since the late 1990s. Earnings
from natural gas alone generated about 35% of total export earnings for the fiscal year 2008-09.
Natural gas exports began in 1998 and brought in 1,070 million dollars in 2005-06 and 2,380
million dollars in 2008-09. It is estimated that gas exports could reach the 4,000 million dollar
mark by 2010-11. Such sales of natural resources augmented income and strengthened
financial resources. Foreign exchange reserves rose to 4,041.6 million dollars in 2008-09. Yet
despite increasing financial strength, education and health care have been neglected and living
standards have not risen. According to the 2010 Human Resources Development Report of the
United Nations Development Programme, Burma has fallen behind Laos and Cambodia and
now ranks lowest among the nations of South East Asia.
If we look at Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), foreign capital went mainly into the extraction of
natural resources. Whereas FDI for 2008-09 totalled 925 million dollars, permitted foreign
investment in 2009- 2010 increased to 15,839 million dollars, of which 62% was in the oil and
natural gas sectors. The rest went to hydroelectric power generation and mining. Investments in
other sectors were insignificant. Productive investments have been impeded by an unfavourable
business environment comprising multiple exchange rates, lack of accountability and corruption.
Even investments by some Asian countries unrelated to economic sanctions were withdrawn
from Burma during the 1990’s.
The Burmese garment industry was hardest hit by sanctions. 1998 to 2001 were the boom
years for the garment industry because of high demand from American and European markets.
Earnings from garment exports fell by 400 million dollars in 2003 as a result of US sanctions. Of
that loss, only about 2.5% was related to labour wages. The main burden was borne by big
businesses and by the privileged classes that were exploiting the country and the labour force.
As garment factories could not export directly to the countries for which their goods were
destined but had to reroute their goods through third countries, Burmese profits fell. However,
by 2008-09, the garment industry had recovered due to the influx of new business from China.
Currently, income from garment exports ranks third in the export earnings line-up.
The rural population engaged in agriculture, which comprises 63% of the total population of the
country, has not been affected by economic sanctions. Rather, peasants have suffered from
lack of freedom in production and marketing, from forced sales of agriculture land and from
policies and practices that have resulted in the gross suppression of the price of farming
products. Thus the hardships of the vast majority of the people of Burma are not related to
sanctions but to misguided government policies.
It might be appropriate to mention here certain practices current in the forestry sector. Excellent
laws and regulations, promulgated since colonial times, relating to the conservation of forests
still remain valid. However these have been consistently ignored and for decades irresponsible
logging has been rife throughout the forests of the country, particularly in areas contiguous to
the national borders. Once pristine forests have been turned into bare tracts of land, the
unhappy consequence of complicity between rapacious timber merchants from neighbouring
countries and corrupt local authorities. From this example it can be seen that much of the
present imbalance in the economic development of Burma is due to a lack of systematic
management of domestic resources. Sanctions cannot be blamed for the distressing state of
Burma’s forests.
Criticism of sanctions, particularly economic sanctions, sometimes serve to divert attention from
the main problems plaguing the country. Allegations that economic sanctions have prevented
the emergence of a middle class overlook the glaring fact that there is no genuine market
economy in Burma. Blatant cronyism is the trademark of the Burmese economy and constitutes
the main obstacle to the emergence of small and medium enterprises. Similarly, allegations that
it is sanctions that have distanced the ordinary people of Burma from concepts of good
governance totally ignore the refusal of the military regime to accept suggestions of reforms that
might in any way diminish their absolute grip on power in all spheres of the life of the nation. It
has been claimed that sanctions have kept out high technology from the west while the only
accessible technology, from countries that are not overly concerned with ethical considerations,
is sub-standard. Such a claim is tantamount to an absolution of governmental responsibility for
ensuring that business contracts incorporate stipulations that protect the interests of the countryand the people.
It has been further alleged that financial sanctions are ineffective and poorly targeted. In actual
fact only members of the military junta and their associates have been denied access to the
United States’ financial system and since the average Burmese citizen does not have a bank
account it can be asserted that these measures do not hurt the public at large. Financial
sanctions have also prevented, albeit imperfectly, the laundering of black money and the
siphoning off of revenues from the sale of gas and other natural resources.
Targetted sanctions serve as a warning that acts contrary to basic norms of justice and human
rights cannot be committed with impunity even by authoritarian governments.
Sanctions were imposed on Burma by the United States, member countries of the European
Union, Canada, New Zealand and Australia with the following aims:
(a) To put an end to human rights violations;
(b) To promote democratic values and practices;
(c) To discourage the military government from oppressing the people.
The legislative assemblies that have emerged as a result of the 2010 elections are totally
dominated, at all the national and regional levels, by the combined body of the Union Solidarity
and Development Party, which was founded by the State Peace and Development Council (the
erstwhile State Law and Order Restoration Council) and the non-elected military
representatives nominated by the commander-in-chief. Moves to designate these assemblies as
the only permitted field for political play reduces democratization in Burma to a parody. The
special appeal of the National League for Democracy (NLD) against its deregistration was
dismissed with indecent haste and without acceptable legal justification by the Supreme Court.
This too is an indication of intent to limit political activities in the country to a minimum.
Now more than ever there is an urgent need to call for an all inclusive political process. The
participation of a broad spectrum of political forces is essential to the achievement of national
reconciliation in Burma. Progress in the democratization process, firmly grounded in national
reconciliation, and the release of political prisoners should be central to any consideration of
changes in sanctions policies.
The views of the NLD with regard to sanctions may be summarized as follows:
1. The United States, member countries of the European Union, Canada, New Zealand and
Australia imposed sanctions on Burma to effect improvements in the human rights situation and
to promote democratic values.
2. Sanctions are the result of decisions made by the countries concerned, not the outcome of
demands by political parties, organizations or individuals in Burma.
3. Recently there have been calls for the removal of sanctions by some political parties,
organizations, individuals and nations. Most of these calls seem to have been motivated by
political considerations. Available evidence indicates that economic conditions within the
country have not been affected by sanctions to any notable degree.
4. As the major causes of sanctions are violations of human rights and lack of democratic
practices, it is by dealing effectively with these issues that the removal of sanctions can best be
effected. The release of all political prisoners is a critical requirement.
5. We therefore urge the Government of Burma to take the necessary steps speedily and
assiduously.
6. The NLD considers that in the meantime the economic hardships of the people would be
ameliorated if businesses that have already invested, or are thinking of investing, in Burma were
to observe guidelines aimed at conserving the ecological environment, protecting the rights of
workers and promoting civil society.
7. The NLD calls for discussions with the United States, the European Union, Canada and
Australia with a view to reaching agreement on when, how and under what circumstances
sanctions might be modified in the interests of democracy, human rights and a healthy
economic environment. A study and analysis by a team of widely-respected professionals on
the effects of sanctions would be beneficial to such discussions.
8. The international community has long expressed a wish to see Burma progress along the
road to democracy and economic prosperity. Appropriate policies, wisely coordinated and
consistently applied would constitute the best path to the achievement of this objective.

jeudi, novembre 04, 2010

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

La junte organise les élections pour le 7 novembre. Il y a bien eu les élections en 1990. Et pendant ces élections le peuple a voté librement et la LND (Ligue Nationale pour la Démocratie) a emporté en majeure partie. Mais la junte n’a pas transféré le pouvoir et ils ont utilisé tous les moyens pour continuer à garder le pouvoir.
En 1988 la junte a pris le pouvoir par un coup d’état et pendant ces 22ans, la junte a essayé par tous les moyens d‘éliminer toute opposition. Plus de 2100 prisonniers politiques dans les prisons de Birmanie en toute souffrance et subissent la torture. Y compris Aung San Suu Kyi, qui a été assignée en résidence surveillée et elle a passé plus de 15 ans en résidence surveillée. Pendant ces 22 ans, les élus ont été obligés de quitter la Birmanie, car la junte peut accuser tout opposant sans raison valable et le condamner à vingt ans de peine de prison au minimum.
Ces élections font partie de dernière étape de « feuille route » pour la Démocratie dirigée par la junte. Le référendum pour la Constitution a été voté au péril des sinistrés de NARGIS en 2008 par tricherie.
Ces élections donneront une chance de légitimer la junte au pouvoir et elles ne seront pas une solution pour la situation politique en Birmanie. Non seulement la LND a boycotté ces élections, il n’y a aucun partie des minorités ethniques qui ont signé un cessez-le-feu qui participent à ces élections. Pendant ces 22 ans, la junte a tout préparé pour gagner ces élections, il n’y a aucun garant que la junte transférera le pouvoir au parti gagnant.
La junte ne laisse aucune chance de vérifier ces élections, ni aux médias étrangers, ni aux journalistes birmans, aucun étranger ne sera présent. Toute communication avec l’étranger a été coupée et la Birmanie reste isolée pour ces élections. Sans surveillance comment saura-t-on que ces élections seront fiables ?
En plus de cela, pour ces élections toutes les personnes n’ont pas le même droit pour le vote, car pas de vote pour plus de 3000 villages à majorité ethnique. On sait déjà que le résultat de ces élections ne sera pas une surprise, car le parti militaire l’USDP a utilisé tous les moyens pour avoir la victoire. L’USDP a fais des chantages pour avoir les votes. Il y a 330 sièges au parlement mais l’USDP présente déjà 314 candidats, c'est-à-dire plus de 95% dans ces élections pour 75% de sièges parlement. Il y a 30% de tous les autres partis dans ces élections pour 75% de sièges au Parlement. Il y a 168 sièges au parlement National, l’USDP en occupera 159, c’est-à-dire 95%, tous les autres partis occupent 20% pour 75% des sièges au Parlement National. Mais il y a 25% des sièges aux deux parlements qui seront réservés à l’armée sans élections.
Selon la Constitution du 2008 il n’y a aucune chance que ce soit un gouvernement civil, car le choix du Président est basé sur de longuess années d’expérience militaire. Nous, les opposants birmans en exil boycottons ces élections.
En tout cas ces élections sont injustes et anti-démocratique pour le peuple birman.
La Birmanie et le peuple birman ont besoin de « La Commission d’Enquête Internationale » sous l’égide de l’ONU. Car pendant ces 22 ans de prise de pouvoir, la junte a violé les droits humains officiellement sans souci, et cela continue.
Il faut libérer les prisonniers politiques y compris Aung San Suu Kyi, il faut entamer le dialogue avec les forces démocratiques, et les représentants des minorités ethniques.

LA COMMUNAUTE BIRMANE DE FRANCE

Les ONG participantes INFO-BIRMANIE, la FIDH, LA FEDERATION DES PAYS ASIATIQUES POUR LES DROITS DE L’HOMME.

Date : Le Dimanche 7 Novembre 2010
L’heure : De 15h au 17h
Lieu : TrocadéroM° Trocadéro

jeudi, juin 17, 2010

CELEBRATION DE L'ANNIVERSAIRE DE AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Le 19 juin, la Communauté Birmane de France et les associations Info-Birmanie, Reporters Sans Frontières, La FIDH, L'allaince des Femmes pour la démocratie et Femmes Solidaires célèbreront les 65 ans d'Aung San Suu Kyi.

PROGRAMME
18HOO :La dance union Birman (avec les costumes ethniques)
La performance
La danse traditionnelles Birmanes
La danse hommage (avec les bougies) pour la paix et Aung San Suu Kyi

18H45 : Buffet Birmane
20H00 : projection du documentaire Burma VJ
21H30 : Débat
Avec la participation de Jane Birkin

Lieu : 12 rue Guy de la Brosse
75005 Paris
Metro Jussieu

Venez nombreux.................

La celebration de l'anniversaire de AUNG SAN SUU KYI

mardi, mai 25, 2010

Birmanie a besoin d'une véritable election, pas une sélection militaire


Manifestation pour la commémoration du 20ème anniversaire des elections 1990: le LND (National League pour la Democratie) du parti de Aung San Suu Kyi a remporté d'une victoire écrasante dans les élections en Birmanie.

Le but de la manifestation est dénoncer les élection de 2010 organiser par la junte.

Date : Le 27 Mai 2010

Lieu : Trocadéro au Parvis de Droits de l'Homme

Heure : de 14h à 16h