No warm welcome for Burmese dictator! Democracy in Burma now!

It does not bode well for our democratic aspirations to roll out the red carpet for the head of an illegitimate government known for some of the world's worst forms of human rights violations.

The State Visit is an implicit recognition of the military junta's legitimacy, and sends a nod in the direction of that government's repressive policies. Needless to say, the meeting between Arroyo and the Burmese Prime Minister is a diplomatic faux pas of extremely absurd proportions.

We are in the dark as to what makes the Arroyo government think that by sponsoring this state visit, Burma's State Peace and Development Council will be willing to respect and abide by internationally-recognized standards of human rights?

Seven years ago, the military dictators agreed to the introduction of democratic reforms and the unconditional release of freedom fighter Aung San Suu Kyi as conditions for its accession into the ASEAN. Seven years after, there is no tangible proof to say that the military generals are moving in that direction.

Burma's junta is fabled worldwide for its atrocities, not the least of which is the repression of workers' rights to form unions and collectively bargain. Reports of forced labor and inhumane treatment of prisoners have not stopped coming from inside that country.

Year after year, thousands of activists are jailed in Burma. The press is stifled, restrictions extend to the simplest act of purchasing and using fax machines. The Internet is off-limits to everyone except government agents. And worst of all, the democratically elected government of the 1990 general elections are either in exile, under arrest and in prison, or dead. Its most prominent leader, Suu Kyi, continues to languish in house arrest.

The military junta ruling Burma of which Gen. Soe Win is head does not represent the genuine mandate of the Burmese people. The Philippines which always prides itself for its avowed commitment to democracy, and its sterling record of struggles against Marcos is now telling the world that this country is open for business with dictators.

This 'constructive engagement' policy of ASEAN as regards to Burma is headed nowhere. There ought to be a multilateral effort and pressure for the military junta in Yangoon to eventually step down and restore civilian authority. This is not to be helped with bilateral talks between the Philippines and Burma, especially not with trade on the agenda as well, as Malacañang has readily admitted.

The more business partners Burma finds, the more emboldened it becomes to stay put, keep its hold on power and walk all over the democratic rights of the Burmese people.

What President Arroyo should instead do is list down all the human rights violations the SPDC is charged with, demand a response, send Soe Win home, support calls for the cancellation of Burma's chairmanship of ASEAN for 2006 and join the international community in calling for the military junta to step down.