DPP Condemns Ongoing Repression by Myanmar Military Rulers

(October 2, 2007/ Taipei, Taiwan) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) condemns the Myanmar military government’s ongoing repression of the Burmese people, and calls for the return of freedom and human rights in Burma.

Department of International Affairs Director Lai I-Chung condemned the military government’s use of violence to suppress the local populace, and called for an immediate end to the repression. He likewise demanded that leaders grant freedoms of assembly and association to the Burmese people and arrange for the immediate release of National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Director Lai decried the Chinese government’s support for the military, which subsequently harms the democracy movement in Burma.

From September 18th to 26th, a period of nine days, a total amount of 100,000 Burmese monks and student activists held street demonstrations against the military government. The repressive military government subsequently ordered the military to reinstate order, who began to use brutal force to suppress the people on the 26th. Many monks, activists, and even innocent bystanders were wounded, killed, or taken into police custody.

Director Lai stressed that the junta has long relied on Chinese support to resist growing international pressure for a regime change. He called upon leaders in Beijing to stop granting foreign aid to the military junta, without which they could not perpetuate their regime.

“Democracy is a universal value,” said Director Lai. He emphasized that even though Taiwan was once deeply authoritarian, the people made many sacrifices to help Taiwan become a democratic country. Thus, the people of Taiwan will give their full support to the Burmese populace, so that they might likewise pursue democratic reforms and gain their freedom.

The Democratic Progressive Party and The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) are both members of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD). Besides DPP’s support for CALD Resolution No. 5 S 2007, DPP wishes to further openly condemn the repressive regime and to appeal to the junta to immediately stop repression, return freedom to the people, and release all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Democratic Progressive Party will continue to pay close attention to developments in Burma and voice its concerns regarding the ongoing repression of the people.

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