Burmese Dissident: amnesty and protection before exiles return to Myanmar
New Delhi (AsiaNews) - President Thein Sein's call
to Burmese exiles to return home will fall on deaf ears unless "there are
real improvements" in the workplace, in health, in education. Instead the
climate of "suspicion and mistrust" continues to reign
which is understandable given the country's situation. This
is critical judgment of the appeal confided to AsiaNews by Tint Swe, a Burmese exile leader and representative of
the National League for Democracy (NLD)
in India.
Indeed,
his attitude is one of justified distrust: "We should not expect - the
doctor and activist adds - a mass return of refugees to the country, given the
current "political, social and economic development framework " of Myanmar.
In
recent days the Burmese President addressed the millions of citizens in the
Diaspora who for "various reasons" (unspecified) have left the
country, inviting them to return home and contribute actively to the progress
of the nation. In
the past, many intellectuals, activists, professionals left the nation to
escape the tyranny of a corrupt and repressive military regime, which has
stifled the economy and social life. Thein
Sein promises "necessary assistance" of the State, to resolve
"any difficulties" arising in launching enterprise or employment.
Interviewed
by AsiaNews Tint Swe, a member of the
dissolved Council of Ministers of the National Coalition Government Union of
Burma (NCGUB), composed of exiles who fled in 1990 after the elections won by
the NLD which the junta under General Than Shwe never recognized, says that
" this
is the second such appeal "launched by the head of state. He
adds that "a few exiles seem attracted" by the invitation, although
observers express positive judgments, because "there are differences from
the first." He
distinguishes between two different categories of Burmese abroad, "some
thousands" of political activists and "tens of thousands" of
migrants and refugees. "In
this second group - he says - there are those who have settled in another
country and for them, even if they wanted to, there is no possibility of
return." As
regards refugees, continues Tint Swe, there are "improvements in
employment opportunities, health, education" so there are very valid
reasons to return.
With
regard to political activists, however, they prefer to "wait" because
of persistent "insecurity" and believe it necessary to understand
future scenarios. "The
members of 88 Generation student movement - he says - advocate a "dignified" return
of political dissidents. Many are calling for a general amnesty and a law that
guarantees security." A
"critical," step adds Tint Swe, because many organizations including
free trade union movement and the NCGUB Burma (FTUB) "are outlawed
organizations" and some members of parliament in exile "have been
sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison and the penalties are still
enforceable. "
Meanwhile
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has given "cautious" support to
the proposal of U.S. Senator John McCain, who intends to suspend his nation's economic
sanctions against Myanmar.
The
Nobel Laureate, participating via videoconference at an event sponsored by the
George W. Bush
Institute in Washington, said the suspension,
"rather than deletion," would be a strong signal of the U.S. government in favor of democratic reforms
in Burma.
However,
there remains the possibility of other paths "if the aspirations of the
people" are not met. (DS)
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