Burma: A Plight We Can No Longer Ignore

Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world; a dictatorship charged by the UN with crimes against humanity for its systematic abuses of human rights and condemned internationally for refusing to transfer power to the legally elected Government of the country- the party led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, currently under house arrest.

The generals and the army who rule the country practice some of the most egregious human rights abuses known to mankind. Rape as a weapon of war, extra-judicial killings, torture, mass displacement, compulsory relocation, forced labour, incarceration of political prisoners, religious and ethnic persecution and the daily destruction of rural villages.

Eastern and Western Burma, home to many indigenous people groups, many of them Christian are being ethnically cleansed by the military. The result, 1.5 million people internally displaced living in the jungles of Burma with not enough food, clean water or medicine. A 2006 estimate of the child mortality rate in eastern Burma was 221 per 1000 compared to 205 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thousands have fled to neighbouring countries as refugees and millions as illegal migrants, though they have fled persecution they are denied refugee status and protection.

For decades the people and churches of Burma have been praying for justice, peace and democracy to come to their land. These latest demonstrations on the streets of Rangoon raised their hopes that this may just be possible. Sadly the military response has been a brutal and bloody crackdown. However, there is no doubt that the junta has been fatally wounded and though unlikely that the regime will fall at this point in time, it is likely to collapse in the next few years. It is imperative therefore that we keep Burma in the forefront of our prayers particularly its underground church and ethnic people groups.

Points for prayer:

• Sooner than later that democracy, justice and peace will come to this land

• For the underground church in Burma and for the ethnic people groups in the East and West of the country, that they keep praying, keep ‘fighting’ for freedom and not lose hope.

• That the Nation China which has influence over Burma’s generals will use this influence to bring positive change, not just for their own economic interests. That the world will put pressure on China to this effect.

• For the UN security council, the EU and the worlds leaders to put increasing pressure on the regime.

• For this story not to disappear from the worlds radar screen and for the whole truth of what is going on in the nation of Burma to come to light.


“ In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends. For those who know oppression, inaction is the most painful silence.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 


 

Reflections This article is one of many that will be added on the site over the coming weeks and months, reflecting on the things that are happening in the world we live in.  They are designed to provoke thought and prompt discussion.  Please add your comments below.