------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: SPECIAL ISSUE - BURMESE STATEMENTS AT UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE Issue#235 September 23, 1995 Noted in Passing: Violence against girls and women is pervasive under the command of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC): rape during military offensives against ethnic nationalities and democratic forces; rape of female porters, who are forced to serve as human mine sweepers and to carry arms and ammunitions for the army; and trafficking of girls and women into prostitution. (quoted in STATEMENT BY BURMESE WOMEN UNION AND NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL) Headlines: ======== UN WOMEN'S CONF: STATEMENT BY MAJOR-GENERAL SOE MYINT BWU PRESS RELEASE: SLORC CLAIMS WOMEN IN BURMA ENJOY FULL RIGHTS: NO NEED FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS UN WOMEN'S CONF: STATEMENT BY BURMESE WOMEN UNION AND NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL REUTER: PROTEST AT BEIJING WOMEN'S MEET AGAINST RULING BURMESE JUNTA ************************** Editor's Note: These statements were only received by the editor yester- day, so they are just being posted now. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Statement at the NGO Forum was already posted on September 1 -Issue #212 - so it is not reposted here. ***************************** UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE: STATEMENT BY MAJOR-GENERAL SOE MYINT 4-15 September 1995 Beijing Statement by H.E. Major-General Soe Myint, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and Leader of the Delegation of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace Mme. President, Allow me to extend, on behalf of my delegation and on my own, my warmest congratulations to you upon your unanimous election as president of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. My delegation firmly believes that your wealth of experience and wisdom will prove invaluable in guiding us successfully through the deliberations. My delegation would also like to express our deep and sincere appre- ciation to the People's Republic of China for hosting this historic gathering and also for the warm hospitality extended to us all. Mme. President, We have gathered here in Beijing on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and at the threshhold of a new millenium to review our achievements as well as our limitations in the field of the advance of women. In particular, we are here to examine how far we have progressed to reach the goals set by the Nairobi-Forward-Looking strategies aimed at Equality, Development, and Peace for Women. Mme. President, The United Nations has already held four World Conferences on Women including this one. The year 1975 was designated the International Women's Year, and the period 1976-1985 was proclaimed the United Nations Decade for Women. In 1979, the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women which is a major international legal instrument safeguarding women's rights. Mme. President, Though the United Nations has been promoting advancement of women, we are of the view that there is still much to be done. Poverty, unequal access to educational opportunites and health services and inequality in sharing responsi- bilities and decision-making are some of the problems that beset the women today. We are gathered here at the Beijing Conference, to adopt a platform for action, addressing the (11) critical areas of concern and recommending steps to overcome them. Myanmar is prepared to contribute its share for a successful adoption of a draft Platform for Action in solidarity with the international community. Mme. President, May I also take this opportunity to appraise the Conference of the status of Myanmar women including some of their efforts in national development. In the world today, women are constantly battling against inequality and discrimination. In this context, I feel proud to say that Myanmar women have been bestowed equality with men as an inherent right. Since the inception of Myanmar civilization 2000 years ago, there has been historical evidence that Myanmar men and women did enjoy equal rights. Myanmar traditions and customs, Dhammathats, or customary law, religious beliefs and practices have all along safeguarded the equality of Myanmar women with men in such crucial areas as marriage and inheritance. Women have played distinguished roles in administration since the days of Myanmar Kings. According to royal court practices, the coronation ceremony of a Myanmar King would not be complete without the presence of his chief Queen. The death sentence passed by the king can be commuted by the request of the queen or princess to whom this privilege has been accorded. Similarly, Myanmar women were in the forefront, together with the men, in the struggle for national independence. In the history of Myanmar, many women who were well-versed in literature, law, and religious doctrines rendered distinguished services to the country. In the contemporary era, having equal employment opportunities, women educated within the country and abroad are also working alongside men in the fields of administration, law, judiciary, and medicine. Evidence shows that based on their own skills and merit, these women rise up to the top decisionmaking and management positions. I would like to emphasize here that there exist no barriers in the form of social norms or practices that restrain the Myanmar women from playing prominent career roles in the Myanmar society. In Myanmar. Wives have been categorized as "wives who are like mothers," and "wives who are like sisters," indicating the respect and devotion that men have towards their wives. Mme. President, The 1994-95 population of Myanmar is estimated at 44.74 million, of which 22.52 million are womenfolk. It is imperative that the State should make use of the potential of women in national development. The Government of the Union of Myanmar is therefore making far-reaching investments in the education of women from all strata of society. Myanmar statistics reveal that women enjoy equal access to education as men. Similarly, in Myanmar, health services for women are targetted to provide life-cycle approach to health care for women. Mme. President, The State Law and Order Restoration Council promulgated the "Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Law" in 1990. The Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, formed in 1991, has been engaged in tasks to help women at the grass roots level achieve good health and develop good moral character. It is also helping women at poverty level to achieve economic empowerment through credit facilities and income-generating activities. In the social sphere, the Government is carrying out social welfare programmes aimed at protecting women, and providing vocational training for young women living in border areas which traditionally have lagged behind in development. In the economic sphere, women's cooperatives, such as the Myanmar Women Entrepreneur's Association have been taking the lead in promoting business opportunities for women. Mme. President, Myanmar as a developing country is making use of the wealth and resources at its disposal in striving for the betterment of the people. As the Union of Myanmar charts its course towards the goal of a modern developed state, its ability in fulfilling the needs of its citizens including women in the fields of education, health, and economy will be greatly enhanced. In conclusion I would like to state that women in Myanmar enjoy a special status. Safe-guarded by traditions and customs, as well as customary law, religious beliefs and practices, Myanmar women have equal pay and employment opportunities. Special laws are laid in place to safeguard women's rights in such critical areas as marriage and inheritance. Most important, in the Myanmar society, men and women have a symbiotic relationship, mutuallyl depending upon one another. They believe that they have equal and shared responsibilities towards the family and society. May I reiterate that the Delegation of Myanmar will be participating actively in the discussions and deliberations of the Conference for a successful adoption of the Platform for Action. Thank you, Mme. President. *********************** BWU PRESS RELEASE: SLORC CLAIMS WOMEN IN BURMA ENJOY FULL RIGHTS: NO NEED FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS September 11, 1995 (Burmese Women Union) Headed by the Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Major General Soe Myint, Myanmar's State Law and Order Restoration Council delegation is here at the Fourth World Conference on Women to present the current situation of women in Burma. "Myanmar women are enjoying equal rights with men on political, economic, administrative, judicial, and social aspects," said Secretary-1 of SLORC Lt.-General Khin Nyunt on February 7 at the preparation meeting for the Women's Conference. The Burmese Women Union agrees with SLORC that in Burma today there is no discrimination against Burmese women, as they are treated equally to their fellow Burmese men. They too are subjected to: SUMMARY EXECUTIONS TORTURE ARBITRARY ARREST FORCED LABOR FORCED PORTERING DENIAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION FORCED RELOCATION/DISPLACEMENT In addition girls and women of Burma, especially those who are ethnic minorities, receive unique treatment from SLORC: RAPE DURING MILITARY OFFENSIVES RAPE DURING PORTERAGE TRAFFICKING INTO PROSTITUTION Today human rights abuses continue unabated, and violence against girls and women in Burma is pervasive. Nothing has changed in Burma, except for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We, hereby, call upon SLORC to immediately and unconditionally stop committing violence against girls and women of Burma, and to begin a process of national reconciliation through dialogue and negotiations with the democracy movement and Burma's ethnic leaders. We urge the international community to refrain on improving relations with SLORC until the Burmese military regime demonstrate a genuine commitment to rebuilding a truly democratic and open society. **************** UN WOMEN"S CONFERENCE: STATEMENT BY BURMESE WOMEN UNION AND NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL September 1995 Freedom for All People in Burma! 1995 FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN The pursuit of equality and freedom for Burmese women is inextricably intertwined with the ongoing struggle for democracy and peace in Burma. Burmese women are at the forefront of this political struggle as illustrated by the leadership and vision of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose courage and unwavering commitment to human rights and non-violence disciplines are an inspiration to all women throughout the world. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi from a six-year house arrest in July 1995 brought great joy and hope to the women and men fighting for freedom in Burma. The release, however, only signals the beginning of a new round of struggle, because nothing else has changed in the country. According to the Human Rights Watch Report of July 1995, today human rights abuses, especially those of ethnic nationalities, continue unabated. Violence against girls and women is pervasive under the command of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC): rape during military offensives against ethnic nationalities and democratic forces; rape of female porters, who are forced to serve as human mine sweepers and to carry arms and ammunitions for the army; and trafficking of girls and women into prostitution. Women in Burma also bear the brunt of SLORC's policies of forced relocation, where families are expelled from their homes to satellite towns which lack electricity, clean water, and access to transportation. Being the primary caretakers of families, women face great difficulties meeting the most basic needs of the household. In preparation for the 1996 "Visit Myanmar Year", many women, including ones who are pregnant, are among the hundreds of thousands of people being forced to work as slave laborers on "beautification" projects and construction of railways, roads, bridges, and airports. It is our firm belief that the violence perpetrated against women and girls in Burma cannot be properly addressed until a government that is premised on peace, human rights, economic and social justice is in power. We, therefore, call upon the following: SLORC should start a substantive political dialogue with the democracy forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of the ethnic nationalities. SLORC should immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners. SLORC should take immediate steps to comply with the U.N. Economic and Social Council's resolution of March 8, 1995 and the U.N. General Assembly resolution of December 2, 1994, especially "to put an end to violations of the right to life and integrity of the human being, to put an end to torture, abuse of women and forced labor, to enforced displacements of the population and to enforced disappearance and summary execution" and "to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process." SLORC should investigate, prosecute, and punish government agents responsible for violations, in particular rape and trafficking of girls into sexual slavery. Contacts: Thin Myat Thu, Burmese Women Union, P.O. Box 42, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand Kathrine Biering, Norwegian Burma Council, Josefinesgate 9, 0351 Oslo, Norway **************************** REUTER: PROTEST AT BEIJING WOMEN'S MEET AGAINST RULING BURMESE JUNTA September 11, 1995 BEIJING, Sept 11 (Reuter) - Three women staged a brief protest during a speech by Burma's official delegation to the world's women's conference on Monday, unfurling a red banner demanding freedom for Burma. The three, two of whom were from Norway and Thailand, unfurled the banner during a speech to a plenary session by the senior military officer heading the Rangoon military government's delegation to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing Burma's Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Major General Soe Myint did not falter in his speech during the protest, which lasted less than a minute. UN security guards in pale blue uniforms quickly gathered up the bright red banner that read: "Free the People of Burma", and removed one women from the conference hall. The other two disappeared into the crowd. "We want to show the world that nothing has changed in Burma," said protester Katherine Biering of the Norwegian Burma Council in Oslo. She accused the military government of continued human rights abuses in Burma despite its release last July of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi after six years of house arrest. "The international community should really know that this man standing up here, a general in the Burmese army, and this army is violating human rights every day in Burma," she said. Soe Myint addressed the session in civilian clothes. **********************