WLB Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
25 November 2005

Today, governments, international organizations and non-governmentalo rganizations around the world are marking the International Day  for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by organizing awareness-raising
activities in their communities.

In order to end violence against  women and girls, governments in other countries are taking necessary measures  from the community to the state level, amending domestic legislation to protect the rights of women and girls, and to empower women.

However, in Burma,  the Burmese military regime, namely SPDC, has continued committing  systematic violence against women and girls. SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) is neglecting the education, health, and social welfare of the people while abusing national revenue to  hold onto power and prolong military rule in Burma.

Instead of working to  promote the welfare and well-being of the people of Burma, SPDC is abusing national revenue for its own benefit, and seeking to control any political opposition and possible political opponents. Early this month in November, SPDC moved its officials and civil servants from their headquarters to Pyinmana, a town about 400 km north of Rangoon. They were ordered  to move at only one or two days’ notice, and forced to go far away from their families.

Far from working for the elimination of violence against women,  SPDC is manipulating women inside Burma. SPDC has forced women to join its  women's wing, the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF), and using them as their mouthpiece, forcing women to organize rallies denouncing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and opposition groups, including the Women's League of  Burma, as well as UN agencies such as the ILO.

Besides systematic violence  against women, SPDC has continued to bring unlawful charges against women who speak out against their acts. Recently, SPDC sentenced Su Su Nway, a  youth member of the National League for Democracy from Kawmoo Township, who had made a complaint to the ILO about SPDC's use of forced labour. She has been accused by the local authorities of “besmearing their reputation” and allegedly swearing at them, and charged with “disrupting  authorities on duty.''

Moreover, SPDC is using its media to propagate all kinds of  rumors and propaganda which will lead to violence.
In the November 13 issue of the Myanmar Alin, a columnist named  Kyaw Myint Naing wrote an article called ''Negotiation is NOT the solution for  Burma's democracy.'' WLB sees this as evidence that SPDC is opposing a  peaceful solution to bring about democracy. WLB also sees that the political problems stemming from military rule and oppression have badly  affected Burma’s neighbouring countries, and that SPDC misrule is a major  threat to peace and stability of the region.

In order to end violence against women and to protect the lives of  women in Burma, we would like to urge all countries in the region and ASEAN countries, particularly Burma's immediate neighbours:

- To publicly  raise their concerns with the SPDC about their systematic human rights abuses, particularly violence against women and girls

- To use all diplomatic channels to pressure the regime, including placing Burma on the UN  Security Council agenda.

Contacts:

Lway Aye Nang: Joint-General Secretary (1) + 66 9 434  2841
NawSandar Waie: Joint-General Secretary (2) + 66 9 851 9510

For more information, please contact: wlb@womenofburma.org

To learn more about the Women's League of Burma, please visit: http://www.womenofburma.org/

For pdf of statement, please go to: http://www.womenofburma.org/Statement&Release/nov25_eng.pdf