Brutal Justice in Burma

http://www.beautifulhorizons.net/weblog/2008/11/brutal-justice.html

November 12, 2008
Brutal Justice in Burma
It would take a referral from the UN Security Council for the ICC to open an investigation into Burma, something no doubt China would block, but something desperately needs to be done to change the horrid regime in Burma:

A Burmese court has sentenced 14 prominent dissidents to 65 years' imprisonment each for leading peaceful protests against a fuel price rise that spiralled into the widespread Buddhist monk-led demonstrations crushed by the military junta last year.

The sentencing to de facto life imprisonment of the second tier of leaders of the 88 Generation students was described by one diplomat as "political revenge" against activists who helped shine a global spotlight on the political repression and economic stagnation in military-ruled Burma.

"This is not a criminal justice system," said a Bangkok-based western diplomat, who monitors developments in Burma. "It smacks very much of political revenge."


China could play a major role in changing this, but that is only wishful thinking on my part. Both nations put a premium on stability and order over freedom and I can't imagine that changing. What exacerbates the situation in Burma is how deeply corruption permeates those in power.

This is precisely why the sentences are so harsh:

"There was absolutely no fair trial," said Bo Kyi, of the Thailand-based Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners.

"This is a politically motivated sentence to create a psychological climate of fear. It says to the general public: 'If you do peaceful demonstrations, you will be imprisoned for the rest of your life.'

Any nation that tortures and jails people for what is effectively life in prison does so to instill fear. A terrified population is far easier to manipulate.

Posted by Randy Paul on November 12, 2008 at 11:21 PM in Burma | Permalink
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