NEW YORK—As the elegantly dressed delegates from countries around the globe walked to and from the United Nations on Tuesday and Wednesday, many passed hundreds protesting various human rights abuses being perpetrated by totalitarian regimes. Tucked in a corner of the area allotted for protesters were a handful of refugees from Burma, peacefully appealing.
Burma, now called Myanmar by the military regime that rules it, borders on China, India, Laos and Thailand. Burma has been under the control of the military since 1962. However, in 1990, the regime’s political supporters were defeated by democracy advocates in a national election.
As part of the “victory” Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi was elected prime minister, but the regime clung to power, and Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest or imprisoned for more than a total of 13 years since 1989. However, in 1991, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Five Burmese male refugees, including Maung Maung Tate and Min Shw Oo, began a more than 900 mile march on May 27, 2009, from Fort Wayne Indiana to New York City, calling attention to human rights in Burma wherever they could along the journey.
Burma, now called Myanmar by the military regime that rules it, borders on China, India, Laos and Thailand. Burma has been under the control of the military since 1962. However, in 1990, the regime’s political supporters were defeated by democracy advocates in a national election.
As part of the “victory” Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi was elected prime minister, but the regime clung to power, and Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest or imprisoned for more than a total of 13 years since 1989. However, in 1991, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Five Burmese male refugees, including Maung Maung Tate and Min Shw Oo, began a more than 900 mile march on May 27, 2009, from Fort Wayne Indiana to New York City, calling attention to human rights in Burma wherever they could along the journey.
The five also began a nine-day hunger strike on May 18, honoring Aung San Suu Kyi. During and interview, Oo said, “Don’t help the Burmese military regime.” He also said that the regime was supported by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
When asked if he thought the military dictatorship in Burma could survive without CCP support, Oo said, “No way!”
According to the Web site of the Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international nonprofit agency that monitors human rights abuses worldwide, the regime is holding more than 2,100 political prisoners.
“For political prisoners, ill-treatment and torture are commonplace. Punishments include being forced into stress positions, beatings, and isolation in cramped and dark cells, otherwise known as ‘dog cells’” states the HRW Web site.
According to the protesters, Aung San Suu Kyi is now on trial on trumped-up charges in “the notorious Insein Prison, ” near Rangoon.
When asked if he thought the military dictatorship in Burma could survive without CCP support, Oo said, “No way!”
According to the Web site of the Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international nonprofit agency that monitors human rights abuses worldwide, the regime is holding more than 2,100 political prisoners.
“For political prisoners, ill-treatment and torture are commonplace. Punishments include being forced into stress positions, beatings, and isolation in cramped and dark cells, otherwise known as ‘dog cells’” states the HRW Web site.
According to the protesters, Aung San Suu Kyi is now on trial on trumped-up charges in “the notorious Insein Prison, ” near Rangoon.
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