Memorandum submitted by Peter E. Mulligan
RE: INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AND DFID FUNDING
FOR BURMA
I believe that the International Development
Committee is soon to be holding an inquiry into how the Department
for International Development operates with regards to Burma.
I would like to make the case that more should be done to support
projects which actively promote transition to democracy in Burma.
I am aware that the funding of such pro-democracy
projects may not at first appear as a good investment, since there
is often no immediate tangible change as a result of this kind
of support; however, this approach does address the root cause
of poverty and human rights abuses within Burma and can therefore
be justified on both strategic and economic grounds.
A shift in DFID's policy, to support pro-democracy
movements both within Burma and on the borders, would bring it
in line with US policy and also show a consistent approach, granted
that DFID is already funding pro-democracy projects in China,
Russia, the Balkans and Kenya.
The transition to democracy and the establishment
of a civil society within Burma will not be an easy one, and investment
is clearly needed for agencies in exile which can facilitate this
change. Specifically, I would like to request you to fund 2 such
organisations which are currently promoting democratic transition
in Burma:
1. AAPP
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
(Burma) was formed to document and disseminate information on
the situation of political prisoners in Burma and to provide assistance
to the families of prisoners.
2. Federation of Trade Unions, Burma (FTUB)
The FTUB is a trade union congress with member
unions; it works inside Burma to educate, organize, and strengthen
Burmese workers and other pro-democracy movements. The FTUB also
seeks to organize democratic trade unions in ethnic areas and
publish teaching materials, in a variety of languages to promote
the concepts of democracy and trade union rights.
I hope the Committee will consider the points
raised above when it considers funding for Burma in the years
ahead. It is essential that due weight is given to the need to
address the causes of deprivation and human rights abuses in Burma
and to support pro-democracy movements which stand the greatest
chance to rectify these problems.
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