Lt-Col Sao Khun Kyaw and the 28 soldiers of the SSA(S) are proud and noble warriors. They have dedicated their lives to protecting Shan children from ravage and rape by paedophile SPDC rapists. They have committed their professional activities to protecting the Shan people from bloodthirsty massacre by scared young men and children led by brutal thugs of the SPDC. And they have devoted their hearts to protecting Shan State from exploitation, extermination and sacrilege by drug-crazed zombies of the SPDC army. It is not the SSA(S) who should stand accused of insurrection, it is the illegal regime of the SPDC whose atrocities and abuses that should be on trial.
The severity of the sentences may seem a foregone conclusion to some, but would (and should) be considered an international outrage if it were announced by any self-respecting democracy, and bring the condemnation and stern disapproval of the international community. It is an act by a regime that is increasingly becoming afraid of everyone who questions their absolute power. It is as if Than Shwe is applying the arrogant despotic methods of that former Burmese leader Queen Supyalat of Mandalay; who would have her enemies killed and thrown into the Irrawaddy to float down to the sea, for all her subject people to see and grow fearful of her absolute grip on power. Such ways of government by tyranny and fear were considered barbaric in the 19th Century - and we are now into the 21st century!
Why has the press been so quiet about this event? Is it because they are preoccupied with wooing the India president? Is it that the physic nut plant growing ceremony is more important front page news? Is it because they don’t want to hear the shouts of disapproval from the international community? Or is it because they consider that this is just ‘business as usual’? Whatever the reason, the official organs of the SPDC haven’t bothered to relate the fate of 29 men.
What is the message that the SPDC are sending out? The only crude message they know – violence, violence and more violence. They rule with absolute power and they want everyone to know it. Anyone who trespasses on their domain will receive the same fate. What they want to do is crush any opposition to their rule before they concede the reigns of government to an organisation that they appoint and control. What they do not want is a powerful democratically-minded anti-fascist Shan people opposed to their rule. The only reason for oppression, repression, suppression, atrocity, human rights abuse, and death sentences is an attempt to reduce an honourable, proud and independent people to slavery. Well, it won’t work - it never has, and it never will. Shans are courageous, strong-minded, strong-spirited human beings who will exert their independence and their fortitude under whatever government or tyranny. Than Shwe and the SPDC are afraid of the power that ordinary human beings have when they are determined and free. They SPDC follow outdated medieval practices to try and cling on to power. Their days as persecutors are numbered – and the fewer the better.
Let us work together to bring about a commutation of the death sentences. Whilst life imprisonment in Burma may be a living hell, there is hope that such ‘prisoners of war’ will be released in the near future. Death is final.
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Shanland - Weekly Diary, No. 188 (4 - 10 March 2006)
4 March
Khun Kyaw and 28 members of the Shan State Army, who "surrendered" on 1 January but were "captured" on the next day, according to Rangoon, sentenced to death and sent to Mandalay prison. The SSA commander has rejected all charges by Rangoon.
(S.H.A.N.)