Myanmar’s Non-event

Neighboring Myanmar is preparing for elections in early November, but it is a non-event because of the exclusion of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The military junta has kept her locked up for nearly 20 years since her party’s unrecognized election victory in 1990. Her party, the National League for Democracy, is boycotting the elections, arguing that the polls will only serve to legitimize military rule. We agree. To blunt criticisms of its sham elections, however, the military junta is reportedly considering the release of the 65-year-old Suu Kyi, perhaps within a week before the national polls. We hope that will materialize, although it is unlikely that the junta will risk it.

Like in the past administration, President Aquino should take an unequivocal position on the release of Myanmar’s only beacon of hope for positive change. Manila should continue the policy of engagement to prevent the isolation of Myanmar, but at the same time, exert pressure on its leaders to do what’s right.

The other icon of democracy, the late mother of the President, once stood up to a dictator and his generals. We welcomed the support of the international community for her cause. And in today’s policy toward Myanmar, we should return the favor and push for the release of Suu Kyi and the peaceful restoration of freedom and democracy.