88 student leaders are stating that the double veto by China and Russia at the UNSC has emboldened the junta to go after human rights activist. Though, it may be said, that the last few months have seen an increase in protest demonstrations and it is always difficult to measure the full extent to which the junta is enforcing censorship in the closed off nation.
“It is like China and Russia have encouraged the military junta to rampantly suppress democracy activists. So, it is high time that the international community raises the question to the two veto wielding countries, and how they intend to solve the problems in Burma,” Min Ko Naing added.U Myint Thein, the NLD spokesperson also said the junta, following the double veto by China and Russia at the Security Council, has enforced a violent crackdown on activists.
However, the Rangoon based self-styled nationalist, U Win Naing said, “The junta’s stepped up crackdown on activists and political dissidence are not the results of the Russia, China veto at the Security Council but the junta’s fear of a public uprising due to the present circumstances that the people are facing.”
“As Burma’s socio-economy scenario deteriorates day by day and poverty increases, an uprising or unrest among the people is possible. The junta fears this, so, they are using power to violently crackdown on dissidents,” added U Win Naing.
A few weeks ago two men were attacked by a crowd of what clearly looks to have been orchestrated by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), which are local extensions of the junta. Members and their families receive the benefit of not being so easily subject to sporadic searches, charges, extortion and forced labor.
Another incident in March demonstrates how rule of law is nonexistent, when a 65-year-old man, who does not appear to be identified as a known activist, was imprisoned for "defacing a copy of an official government newspaper". U Thein Zan was denied bail,
despite testimonies from two government officials confirming U Thein Zan posed little threat to the community.... U Thein Zan reportedly wrote "Are you sure, Maung Kalu", a common headline on pro-military propaganda articles, over the top of a copy of the state-run Myanmar Ahlin newspaper he had stuck on his wall after becoming enraged by recent commodity price rises.
In a case of belligerent targeting of human rights activist, in March
Human rights activists Ko Aung Kyaw Soe, Ko Aye Lwin and Ko Yin Kyi were reportedly arrested by the Burmese authorities yesterday in relation to charges of violating guest registration laws.
Despite all this a Free Daw Suu campaign is reportedly picking up steam as May has been declared a month of campaigning by the NLD. The end of May will mark the 4th anniversary of the last sentence to house arrest, which the junta referred to as "protective custody" after a failed assassination attempt.
