10.17.2008

Aid groups blast ASEAN-led report on Myanmar relief effort

	Photo

This picture taken from a helecopter in July 2008 shows a general view of an area affected by cyclone Nargis

Aid groups blast ASEAN-led report on Myanmar relief effort

JAKARTA (AFP) — A coalition of humanitarian groups heavily criticised Thursday a report on Myanmar's cyclone disaster, saying it glossed over the junta's obstruction of aid and human rights abuses.

The Burma Partnership, which represents 19 aid organisations, released an "alternative" report to provide what it said was a more accurate picture of the response to Cyclone Nargis, which left 138,000 people dead or missing in May.

"When we studied the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment report prepared by the UN, ASEAN and the Burmese regime, we realised that it failed to describe the obstruction of aid and human rights abuses committed by the military regime in the areas affected by the cyclone," Khin Ohmar of the Burma Partnership told a press conference.

"As independent civil society organisations, we felt the need to tell the other side of the post-Nargis story."

The generals ruling Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, drew international outrage by refusing to allow a foreign-led aid response in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

But they dropped their resistance after coaxing from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chief Surin Pitsuwan.

The official joint report was released to much fanfare at an ASEAN conference in Singapore in July.

But Ohmar said it failed to highlight issues such as blocking and misappropriation of aid and substandard treatment of survivors at relief camps.

It omitted cases of human rights violations such as orphans turned into child soldiers, survivors forced to do reconstruction work and farm land confiscated by the military regime, she said.

The coalition's recommendations include an independent system to monitor aid distribution and for all relief agencies to make public their activities.

"We hope international governments will consider using the new report to ensure funding reaches people who need the most help and that the recovery process will be implemented with the most transparency and accountability," Ohmar said.

Thai MP and coalition member Kraisak Choonhavan criticised Surin for failing to meet the organisers to discuss the alternative report.

He said he felt "let down" by Surin's late cancellation of a meeting in Jakarta, home to the ASEAN secretariat.

"They did not give any reason for cancelling. I feel let down and it makes it necessary for us to be more vocal. I am very disappointed," he said.

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To All Religious Organization

What took place in Sept.’07, when the military junta in Burma crushed the peaceful demonstrations by the Buddhist monks was unprecedented. Not only in Burma’s history, but also in the context of the cultural history of the country as well. Although monks in the past, during the colonial period of the British, and the Japanese occupation in 1942-45, were killed because of their involvement in political matters, never in the history of the Burmese people, have so many Buddhist monks been brutally killed, beaten, and shown absolute disregard by those in power who are, and call themselves Buddhist. It is a sad and dark chapter of Burma’s history indeed. Monks who were helped by leaders and prominent members of other faiths, such as, Muslem, Christian, Sikh, and Hindu, were also threatened by the military for rendering assistance to the Buddhist monks. Reports about prominent members of other faiths who are also being harassed and intimidated by the regime continually are frequent amongst the communities, within and outside the country. This atrocious situation is the reality today in Burma today. That is why the monks and the organizing committee of the Saffron Robe People’s Movement would like to urge leaders and adherents of the Buddhist faith, and all other faiths: Moslem, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh to truly see what the military regime in Burma is really like. It is a degrading and destructive military regime towards all religious faiths is without doubt a chilling and tragic fact. Therefore, members of all faiths within and outside the country, we seek your help in this struggle; to rid Burma of a military regime that has descended to the lowest of the low; for killing monks who dared to call for change for the better of the peoples of Burma. The organizing committee for the Saffron Robe People’s Movement of Burma. Dated 26 DEC.2007 For more information contact to; saffrontoward@gmail.com

PATTA -NEIKUZANA

PATTA-NEIKUZANA THE EXCOMMMUNICATIVE BOYCOTT

Any could be boycotted towards excommunication if the following eight attributes described in Vinaya Scriptures IV , page 262 , Silavar Text Commentary 5 are met: 1) Effort are made to deny four essential things _ i.e. monastery ,robes ,food , medicine –to monks 2) Effort are made to endanger the lives of monks or reduce the numbers the them 3) Effort are made to deny place of residence to monks 4) Ten kinds of abusive lanquage are used against monks 5) Effort are made to sow dissension among monks 6) Slander or scorn is made upon buddha’s infinite feat 7) Slander or scorn is made upon Dhamma’s infinite faculty 8) Slander or scorn is made upon Sangha’ s infinite undertaking “I consent to perform excommunicative boycott aganist any lay devotee who endaevors to fullfill any one above eight attributes, Budda said in Sulavar Holy Text. Boycotting does not imply placing the amls bowl upside –dwn ; it means not accepting four essential things donated by lay people who are being boycotted. The proscribing monks also advocate the boycotting act to other monks in the world .The purpose of al this is to make those lay Buddihist who offend noble and good monks realize their mistake and become well-mannered and civilized. If those lay people regret their misdeeds, really become good-mannered and respectful ,and apologize three times,boycott would be called off.

10.17.2008