DAVID ADAMS reports on the outcome of last weekend’s elections in Myanmar…
With Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy on track to win a majority of votes in last Sunday’s historic national elections in Myanmar, Christian religious freedom and human rights advocates are turning their attention to the challenges which lie ahead for the country.
The election was the first openly-contested democratic poll in Myanmar, also known as Burma, in 25 years. While the electoral commission is yet to announce the final results, reports suggest the NLD have won more than 85 per cent of the seats declared so far. The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party’s acting chairman, Htay Oo, conceded defeat on Monday afternoon.
“(T)he people of Burma have spoken loudly and clearly for change, for democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and an end to military-backed politics.”– Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide
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Prior to the election, activist groups described the process as “flawed”. UK-based religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide outlined a range of concerns including a constitutional bar on Ms Suu Kyi becoming president as well as measures to ensure the military will hold 25 per cent of the seats in Parliament and continue to exercise control over the appointment of key government ministers.
Concerns were also voiced surrounding the barring of Muslim candidates and the deliberate disenfranchisement of an estimated 20 per cent of the population including Rohinyga Muslims and displaced people in “ethnic areas”.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, this week described the election result as “truly momentous and historic” despite obstacles.
“(T)he people of Burma have spoken loudly and clearly for change, for democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and an end to military-backed politics.”
Mr Thomas said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms Suu Kyi and the NLD now faced “a huge challenge” in playing their role “at the heart of the government to lead Burma forward”.
“There are grave issues which the new government must address, not least seeking a lasting peace to end decades of conflict in the ethnic states, taking steps to promote religious freedom and diversity, and ending the dominance of the extremist Buddhist nationalists who have poisoned Burmese society with their politics of hatred,” he said.
“It is right to celebrate the historic developments we have seen in Burma in the past two days, but we must remain vigilant and continue to work and pray for the change which the people of Burma so clearly desire.”
Roman Catholic Monsignor John Hsane Hgyi, Bishop of Pathein, told Agenzia Fides that there were “high hopes” following the election. “This opens a new era for our country, which we hope will be marked by unity. People are happy and it seems there are no risks of a military coup.”
Bishop Hgyi said the “new democratic era” would bring change and freedom. “We are confident in a future of unity, reconciliation and harmony: these are the challenges for the future of the country.”
