The International Burmese Monk Organization (Sasana Moli) visited the UNPO Secretariat and explained why it is that they have no faith in the announced elections in Burma.

Below is an article published by UNPO:

Sasana Moli, also known as the International Burmese Monks Organization, founded on 27 October 2007 in Los Angeles, United States of America, aims to unite the Burmese people and strive for the preservation of their culture by calling for more human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of religion. Interviewed during a meeting at UNPO, Sasana Moli General Secretary the Venerable Uttara and Mr. Maung Chan and Mr. Chit Khime Soe, both Members of Sasana Moli, declared that they have no faith in the elections that have been announced by the Burmese government.

When asked about the general sentiment amongst people in Burma after the September 2007 demonstration, the answer was very clear: “There is a general sentiment of fear”. After the demonstration, the estimates are that over 2000 Buddhists disappeared. “There have been calls to release the political prisoners and the Buddhist monks”, but the government of Burma does not seem to respond to these demands. According to Sasana Moli there is nothing left to do but present the Burmese government with a deadline: Buddhist New Year in mid-April 2008. If the government does not respond to the call for release, another declaration will be issued, calling upon all peoples to vote against the new proposed constitution during the referendum planned for May 2008.

But holding a referendum on the new constitution and announcing elections to be held in 2010 are signs of a more democratic Burma, are they not? On the contrary, Venerable Uttara explains: “The elections are just a façade, San Suu Kyi is not allowed to take part in the elections and therefore these so-called negotiations are nothing more then just talks taking place to uphold the show”. Sasana Moli therefore calls upon everyone, both within Burma, as well as the international community, to boycott the 2010 elections if no significant improvement within Burma is made.

2010 is still far away – as for short term plans, Sasana Moli also has a strategy: “We wish to take away the weapons used against innocent victims of the government in Burma - the only way we can do this is by pressing for an arms embargo”. Calling upon the international community to impose an arms embargo to prevent weapons being imported from, in particular, China and Russia, would already decrease the number of fatalities within Burma, according to Sasana Moli. In an attempt to get an arms embargo imposed, the organization will travel extensively and meet various government officials throughout the spring and summer of 2008.

Note:

To view the Sasana Moli declaration in full, please click on the links below:

Sasana Moli Declaration – 19 February 2008 (English Language) - Page 1

Sasana Moli Declaration – 19 February 2008 (English Language) - Page 2

Sasana Moli Declaration – 19 February 2008 (Burmese Language) - Page 1

Sasana Moli Declaration – 19 February 2008 (Burmese Language) - Page 2

Sasana Moli Declaration – 19 February 2008 (Burmese Language) - Page 3