By Kaladan Press
The drumming in of a new year is always an occasion for an expression of hope and a time to look back at what has been and could have been. We welcome the arrival of the year 2012 on an optimistic note and look forward to some pleasant days that are becoming a scarcity in our trouble-torn national life. It is also a heartbreaking hope and profound expectations which today form the core of thoughts among individuals across the world.
For us in Burma, the hope is simply one of life taking a more progressive turn through a turning away from everything negative that held us back in the year just ended. In Burma, which replaced a long-ruling military junta this year, freed many prisoners including democracy icon Aung Sung Suu Kyi and adopted a series of reformist moves to end decades of international isolation. The reformist pledge was awarded by US as its Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a landmark visit to Burma.
In terms of politics, let 2012 be a forerunner of change in political thoughts and attitudes, change that should steer in a time of cooperation and accommodation between current ruling regime and National League for Democracy (NLD), the opposition party.
The regime kicked off the dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, made changes in the electoral laws paving way for NLD to re-register as the official political party, released some political prisoners, suspended the controversial Irrawaddy dams, negotiating peace deals with the armed groups and passing some laws allowing democratic freedom. But, on the other hand, the regime is fighting with KIO (Kachin Independent Organization). The regime is also trying to get peace with insurgent groups of nationalities. This has helped improve understanding between nationalities and regime and sometimes creates doubt.
Burma must work without dithering to restore democracy, human rights, and rule of law. Burma must establish the independent judiciary system. It is very important to review the controversial 2008 constitution which gives supreme power to military commander in chief which is still major concern for people of Burma.
Burmese citizens must be able to practice fundamental democratic rights--- freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Burma must work to ensure promoting religious freedom in Burma. Energy is an essential for development so that the regime has to provide sufficient electricity and gas for all the citizens.
We want to restore democracy, human rights and rule of law in Burma, to release all the political prisoners, to stop corruption and to stop abuse of power.
Across the world, this was a year when people took to the streets, often overthrowing their leaders in the process. That was true in the Arab world, in Russia, in India, in Western Europe, in the United States and even in China.
And everywhere, this year the conventional wisdom was turned upside down by people who turned out to be angrier than their elites had suspected, and better able to channel that dissatisfaction into mass protest and even revolution.
The year which ended on December 31 was, like all earlier years, one of good cheer running parallel with not lessen disappointment not only in Burma but also in the rest of the world.
Around the world, the vision of people raising in spontaneous revolt against their thoughtless governments --- in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya --- only reinforced the old belief that nations have the capacity and the courage to take on the powerful and the arrogant.
The present ruling regime cannot able to claim that it has a very successful year on the socio-economic front, as the problems that common people usually face are being felt more severely. The utility services are showing no signs of improvement; while the fuel price hike has made things worse and the prices of essentials are shooting up.
The Rohingya had been subjected to various persecutions under the Burmese government on the basis of race, religion and ethnicity. They are subjected to forced labor, rape, torture and jail. The authority confiscated the lands, imposed marriage restrictions, extorted money and killed; even restriction of movement is imposed to the Rohingya people. As a result, many people went to Malaysia or Thailand, by risky boats and some died in the deep sea. So, we hope that in 2012, these events will be stopped forever.
People celebrated the New Year as they always do with great fervor and high expectations.
As we said good bye to 2011, we knew that every sunset is followed by a sunrise that promises a new day inspiring us to be rejuvenated and reinvigorated to face the challenge ahead. A year lost is a year gained, as the perceptive among us become wiser with age and experience.
May all the people of Burma be happy, peaceful and auspicious in this New Year!
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