BDD
"If you do anything good for the country and its citizens but without checking the current junta's policy and its dos and don'ts, you might end up in the jail with series of charges and face possible jail term." said a former political activist and established businessman.
Indeed, Ko Zarganar, comedian and social critic who was arrested because of helping and organizing assistance for Nargis Cyclone victims. First he was arrested and junta's special branch police confiscated few hundred of US dollar notes from his temporary relief office. This foreign currency was donation from various people inside Burma.
Law doesn't allow having foreign currency but most of Rangoon business and social community have from one dollar note to hundred ones. Most of the illegal foreign currency holders are senior general Than Shwe's family and generals side by side with cronies. "Using double standard or tend to arrest someone, this is the best tool to use it." Rangoon resident said.
Ko Zarganar was reportedly investigated that how he related with exile movement and he planned to be part of the new government in exile, ironically. The reason is SPDC needs to put him minimum seven years in jail if he'd face the charges of criminal code of 17/1. But he reportedly joked with the investigators that he has allergy with suit and tie and he prefers to wear shorts and sleeveless T shirt.
One of the NLD seniors is also being investigated for Nargis cyclone issue but reports said that he is also hocked up with different charges. Fundamental rights for the citizens must be protected by the constitution but now becomes a major question for actvists.
If the regime said that it would move towards democratic reform but state agency violated the law and framed the political and social activists with serious crime, how should constitution protect people with only paper? "The essence of partially or full democracy, people's fundamental rights must not be violated by state agency" Asian diplomat noted.
Given the differences between transitional period and real democracy in Burma, people have been threatened and treated endlessly without rule of law; Burma's 2010 election result might not be legitimized. "State security agencies' same scary violations would confront new constitution that the regime approved" Asian diplomats wondered.
Many activists are now lining up to face the regime's different accusations that they never committed or knowledge of any crimes or terrorist acts.
