Burma election could mean tribal freedom
ICC Note:
A clause of Burma’s 2008 constitution bans anyone with a foreign spouse or child from running for president. Aung San Suu Kyi’s husband, who passed away in 1999, was English; and her two sons are holding British passports. It is widely suspected that the constitutional clause was drafted by the military with Suu Kyi in mind. Currently, Suu Kyi is trying to overturn the law and clear the way for running presidency. The article argues that Suu Kyi is Burma’s hope for freedom; while the current government is responsible for exploiting the country’s natural resources and ethnicity genocide.
Burma (MNN) — Opposition political power-house Aung San Suu Kyi is rebuffing election threats in Burma. She’s being told to refrain from using language that “challenges the army” during her rallies. Laws are in place preventing this lawmaker from winning a presidential bid because her late husband was English.
President of Vision Beyond Borders Patrick Klein says, “Her popularity has just skyrocketed. She’s their hope for freedom. She has stood for democracy and wants freedom in the country. They’re trying to find any way they can to stop her from running.”
Suu Kyi is trying to overturn a law that bans her from running. “They know that if she’s allowed to run, she’ll win in a landslide,” says Klein.
The current government has a grip on the country exploiting its natural resources and genocide connected to tribal people like the Karen, Kachin and Rohingya.
Klein says her election could end government corruption and ethnic genocide.
That genocide has seen entire villages destroyed and families killed. Many are living in refugee camps in nearby Thailand. Many of them are orphaned children and VBB is helping by sending teams. “They’ve lost everything. So when a group of Americans come and serve them and spend time with them and show them that they’re loved, it’s kind of like God is demonstrating His love in a tangible way to them. And they’re just so encouraged. We get so challenged and changed.”
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