BURMA: Special assembly consults on new constitution
Updated
Burma's military rulers are holding a special assembly in Rangoon, aimed at finalising a new constitutional charter. Democracy advocates say the charter's expected to cement the army's control over the government -- with serious implications for Burma's economy -- and for the country's ethnic minorities.
Presenter: Girish Sawlani
Speakers: Gary Woodard, former Australian ambassador to Burma; Kham Har-Ng Fah, Director of Shan Human Rights Foundation; Saw David Taw, deputy chairman, foreign affairs department, National Council of the Union of Burma.
SAWLANI: The drafting process of the new constitution represents only the first official stage in a seven stage path towards democracy as set about by Burma's Military government. This itself has already taken 14 years to achieve since the then State Law and Order Restoration Council unveiled plans to create a new constitution. Under this proposed constitution, the armed forces will be guaranteed at least 25 per cent of all seats in parliament, while the future president would be required to have had a significant military service record. Former Australian ambassador to Burma Gary Woodard, says that the constitution will not lead any form of civilian rule.
Woodard: Well, its not a step towards democracy, but is a step towards consolidating the junta's political position. The constitution when it emerges will make it plain that the democratic forces will not have significant roles under the new constitution in running the country after the election which will presumably follow at some time.
SAWLANI: The charter to implement the new constitution will be put to a national referendum. Mr Woodard believes that regardless of the referendum's outcome, this constitution will be put in place.
WOODARD: I don't think there will be any possibility of that being a genuine ascertainment of people's views. In effect it will be imposed and it will fulfil the purpose of the military which is to entrench their power in the political system.
SAWLANI: Does this mean that the Burmese people will remain powerless?
WOODARD: Yes, I'm afraid so
SAWLANI: In an even bigger blow to detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a clause in the constitution bars the presidency to anyone that with a foreign spouse or children, effectively ruling her out of contention for future leadership. Mr. Woodard says that Nobel Peace Prize recipient will not be able to do much about the situation.
WOODARD: It doesn't really change her situation at all. She should accept the inevitability of continuing military rule which I don't think will be generally accepted by Burma's neighbours and so on and therefore allow herself to then play a part in the reconstruction of Burma about which she is terribly worried.
SAWLANI: Even with the new constitution, concerns about the state of ethnic minorities will remain. Kham Har-Ng Fah is the Director of the Shan Human Rights Foundation. He says that human rights abuses by the military against the ethnic Shans will continue.
KHAM: I think there won't be any great difference from now. Some types of human rights violations that have been going on on a regular basis like forced labour, extortion, things like that. It happens all the time all over Shan states.
SAWLANI: Furthermore, the continued presence of the military regime will deprive the ethnic minorities from governing their own areas and further marginalise them from mainstream society. This according to deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee at the National Council of the Union of Burma, Saw David Taw.
SAW: It is difficult you know for the ethnic people to be on board or we can say that in the decision making process. So like the Shan or the Karen, I don't see that they have the opportunity to lead their states. No one from the outside world can talk about the human rights abuses, what's happening inside the country. They close all the information, it would become like North Korea.
SAWLANI:Mr. Saw says that as long as the military hold power, Burma's frail economy will continue to suffer.
SAW: The economy in Burma is very bad. Everybody you know acknowledge that's its a bad situation. Even the closest country like China are not happy with the system here. Even though they talk about the free economy system, but I think it will be free for the military personnel, not for the local people.
