Explanation for Aung San Suu Kyis Arrest - Assignment Example

Drawing on the information you have studied on this say which in your opinion, is more important in offering a satisfactory explanation for Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrest and subsequent detention between 1989 and 2000; (a) the tensions between the government of Burma/Myanmar and the ethnic minority communities, (b) the political disturbances of the late 1980s. Give two or three reasons for your choice of (a) or (b) and discuss the reliability of the evidence that you use. Twentieth July of the year nineteen eighty nine is undoubtedly one of the blackest days in the history of democratic struggle in Burma. Burmese people were leading their lives under oppression, tyranny and fear. Economic situation was degrading day by day. The poor political and economic conditions of the country required its citizens to stand up against injustice and inefficiency of the handful of people who had imposed themselves as rulers of a so called free nation since 1962. And the people of Myanmar (Burma) did launch their protests against the brutal military junta which had almost quashed their civilians rights under the constitution of 1974. The situation could not be digested by the caring daughter who had returned to the country to nurse her ailing mother. But she realized that her motherland needed her more desperately, and so she sacrificed her comforts and family to struggle for the restoration of democracy in her country. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi led the demonstrations for democracy as the secretary general of National League for Democracy (NLD) in 1989. The year had already caused much tribulation for the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) due to the continuing tension between the state and ethnic minorities of Myanmar. But more importantly the political disturbance which had reached its climax in 1989 made the government even more severe towards any pro-democratic procession. And the leader of those processions, even non violent, was completely inacceptable to the military junta particularly under the perturbed political circumstances. Aung San Suu Kyi was, therefore, put under house arrest on 20th of July 1989. Reason for House Arrest: Government in Burma was definitely dealing with the issues raised due to the unrest among the ethnic minorities in 1989. But, it cannot be outlined as the fundamental cause behind the injustice done to Aung San Suu Kyi. The problem of the minorities is a matter which comes as a part and parcel with the government in Burma since almost 1937. Warriors of Second World War had been very much aware of it while fighting for an independent Burma. The divide between the ethnic minorities was rather one reason which Ne Win had used as a justification for military coup in 1962. When a problem is so deep rooted and had been exploited so much by the government, it can only be used as a cover story for an unjust act but cant definitely be the real explanation. The timeline of the events which led to the arrest of San Suu Kyi only point towards one fact as the basis of this unfortunate brutal action; and it is the political disturbance which swathed Burma in 1988. The several evidences which point towards it are: Conditions of Burma in 1988: To understand this tyrannical psychology of Burmese junta, one must first analyse the bloody events of 1988. It was the time when Burma had been declared by United Nations as the least developed country. The economy had been bankrupted allegedly due to corruption in the army. The minds and actions of the people were controlled by one man (or party) without any right to confront over their decisions or any power of judicial system over them. Demanding of the rights was directly associated with the performance of the duties by citizens. Uprising commenced from students who were later joined by various section of the society. The slogan of demonstrators was we want democracy. The demonstrations were mercilessly crushed but it made it clear over Ne Win that he had lost any support or respect he had some twenty six years ago. He left the government with a message which in the coming years would define the domestic policy of the junta towards the supporters of democracy or Aung San Suu Kyi. He warned the people that any other agitation might bring in army which would only shoot to hit. This background precisely became the reason behind the ruthless actions of the Burmese government against Aung San Suu Kyi. SLORC killed, captured and tortured many of the agitators in a way that it was enough to frighten others. Around 10,000 fled to Bangladesh, Indi and China. When streets were cleared from students, SLORC decided for elections under international pressure. To everyones surprise NLD gained much support and was even able to attract many of the ethnic groups. Her popularity increased day by day as she openly condemned Ne Wing and the military junta. The political disturbance of 1988 had taught SLORC to nib the evil in the bud. She was put in house arrest under no logical charge. SLORC did try to put blame on her about being involved with the foreigners but not even single hard evidence was produced. But --- allowed the government to put anyone in jail for three years without any trial. As the law in Myanmar is more like a rubber band which stretches and shrinks at the will of the junta so the period was extended to five years. Aims of Aung San Suu Kyi: The manifesto and goals of Aung San Suu Kyi, formed due to the prevalent political scenario, were another reason for her imprisonment. The chief aim behind NLDs formulation was to bring social reforms in the country which would guarantee basic human rights to all. She openly criticized the actions of ruling junta and even supported the students who had been so openly targeted by the government. Suu Kyi also emerged as the only leader to Burma after a long time that could unite various ethnic groups and mobilize the people far and wide. Although, she still needed time to complete the task she had started, SLORC had known it better to keep her under their nose before she could become as popular as her father. Her release in July 1995 came as another wave which blew fresh air to otherwise fading NLD. Brutalities of SLORC: The motives behind the viciousness of SLORC have already been outlined briefly. But SLORC also never showed any sympathy towards the people who showed any inclination for freedom from the fear. Students, monks, political leaders and any one found demonstrating against the tyrannies of the government or demanded justice was crushed with an iron hand. After the release of Aung San Suu Kyi a play was showed in a meeting where two comedians made fun of the government. The comedy cost them seven years of prison. Despite the government also manipulated various sections of Burmese society well during the house arrest of Aung Sann Suu Kyi. Since the main elements of 1988 political disturbance were students, educational freedom became minimal. Lectures are scrutinized before they could be delivered. Crackdown on educational institutes and disappearing of lecturers became a norm then. The nature never disserted the junta as even the release of Aung San Suu Kyi was conditional to her limited movements. Military knew precisely to discourage the ways which had gotten her overwhelming support in the elections of 1990. Members of the party were harassed and intimidated till they resigned. In 1998 this activity was on its peak with state controlled newspapers highlighting the people who quit NLD. The mental torture to Suu Kyi continued as his dying husband was refused visa of Myanmar. Conclusion: The lady who stood for democracy and freedom for Burmese people has suffered much at the hands of aristocrats. She stood up for her people when they were mashed politically, morally and economically and she as a result became a victim herself. One might argue that she was gaining popularity between various ethnic groups and so the junta decided to take her out of the scene. But the way events shaped up in 1988-89 makes it clear that the government was hell bent in taking severe actions against anyone who threatened their rule. Had the reason for Suu Kyis arrest being ethnic minorities then it would have been repeated in 1997 when even the militants of different ethnicities wrote to her assuring their support. Burma exemplifies injustice around the world (Pilger, p.1). Burmese nation has been living in fear for more than a decade now. The only ray of their hope has been detached from them now and then as a result of oppressive policies of their dictators. The ray now needs the support of everyone who holds the cause of humanity supreme to convert into a beacon light. Lets all support Aung San Suu Kyi who has witnessed detention for more than a decade now, for the cause of justice, equality and democracy. Read More