Burma – Beyond Rangoon
August 2003 – 8’45”
Information
Since 1962, Burma has been ruled by a brutal military dictatorship. With their weapons the regime threatens not only the democratic opposition but also the population. The Burmese army is merciless. On the 30th of May, the popular leader of the opposition Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested again, almost a year to the day after the generals have freed her from eight years of house arrest. All the opposition offices of the NDL – the National League for Democracy - were closed and colleagues arrested. The European Union and the USA want to isolate Burma using international pressure such as sanctions. Even ASEAN members are putting pressure on Burma to free the ‘Lady’ as Aung San Suu Kyi is known. The west also wants to force the junta to recognise the results of the 1990 election that gave victory to the NDL. The party won over 80 per cent of parliamentary seats – an overwhelming majority. Over 100,000 prisoners sit in Burma’s appalling gaols. According to estimates over 1,200 are political prisoners. Some of them manage to flee over the border to Thailand. They recount stories of torture and shocking conditions. This film, shot without official permission, found an intimidated population. Anyone who speaks to foreigners is suspected of being against the government. Informers are everywhere. Even hotel rooms are searched.
TEXT
0:07
Myanmar - or Burma as it used to be called - is promoted in the tourist brochures as a Far Eastern paradise. For nearly 30 years the country has been isolated. The golden pagodas are deceptive. This is the poorest country in Asia. Malnutrition, poor education, high inflation and illness are commonplace.
0:37
The military rules the country with an iron fist. Propaganda warns that the opposition are against the government and the country. They must be observed and crushed.
0:52
This is how the military junta wants it. They showed their power in 1988 during a protest demonstration at Rangoon University. Eight hundred students were shot and then over 3,000 members of the opposition murdered. Two years later the government allowed elections. The opposition party NDL won with 82 percent of the popular vote. But those in power refused to recognise the results.
1:23
Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced Aung San Suu Tschi) is the leading government critic. Almost a year to the day after the Generals released the Nobel Prize Laureate from eight years house arrest, she was taken into custody again by the security police. The 58 year old is now being held in an army prison in Rangoon.
1:50
She’s called for a renewal of the tourism boycott. Every dollar that goes into the pockets of the military prolongs the suffering of the people.
1:59
The generals are afraid of a new outbreak of public protests like those in the 80’s and are surprised by the continuous increase in popularity of Aung San Suu Kyi. Government hit squads attack NDL supporters. Many are killed.
2:19
The street of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house is closed. Visitors are blocked. All NDL offices around the country have been sealed off and the university’s been closed again.
2:31
The Martyr Mausoleum is a reminder of Aung San, the father of the opposition leader, who was shot in 1947. The population are scared that history will repeat itself. In the newspaper a NDL party member reports over the travel of Aung San Suu Kyi in the north of the country. That was officially given as the reason for the new crackdown.
2:58
3:04
The Burmese are poor. A long period of isolation and economic mismanagement has left the country in economic ruin. Two thirds of the 50 million strong population live off the land. Farmers have to sell a third of their harvest at the spot price to the government. On the waterways are boats ready for the scrap heap. Entire families spend their lives on the boats. The government does nothing to ease the plight of its people.
3:38
This Burmese tells of his brother who is in prison because of his political activities. He hopes the military regime will soon come to an end. Every conversation for a Burmese with a foreigner is fraught with danger. Our TV crew was asked what was the purpose of its visit and passport numbers were taken. It’s the younger Burmese who make their displeasure at those in power widespread.
4:04
The only ones, who can publicly make fun of the government are the Moustache Brothers. But political wit can also be punished and they have to tread a fine line.
4:22
One brother in January 1966 made an appearance before the opposition leader. Shortly afterwards he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
4:30
Par Par Lay was released after five years and seven months.
4:38
O-sound
Lu Maw
Cabaret artist
Par Par Lay has to do forced labour. He had to break stones. He was constantly beaten and tortured. But we continue. The government has arrested all the supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi. We too are worried every night that there’s going to be a knock at the door. One is simply scared to sleep.
5:06
The state benefits openly from the manpower of the population. Every Burmese has to work for the good of the country according to the needs of the government. Otherwise he has to pay a fine. One critic of the government was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his political activities. He didn’t want to be filmed.
5:29
O-sound
Government critic
“Certainly we have forced labour. Each one of us knows this suffering. We Burmese are really a poor people. Nevertheless, the West should impose more sanctions. They will hit some of us, but that doesn’t matter. The people in Burma are already suffering.”
6:06
Officially, the average monthly salary is around 20 US dollars. But many earn less. Corruption and bribery are part of everyday life. The huge army is usually involved. To the tune of vast amounts of money. Because of this, many families are unable to pay school fees for their children.
6:30
O-sound
Government critic
“The pressure is huge. Every one is scared of those in power but when something happens, we are strong. We trust ourselves to fight and also to die.”
6:53
leave free
7:05
Bo Kyi (pronounced Bo Tschi) is a former political prisoner. In Thailand he shows what in Burma is not discussed. Over 100,000 people are imprisoned, amongst them 1,200 political prisoners.
7:24
Pictures of students that were brutally shot in June 1988 by the special unit of the police went around the world.
7:35
These pictures of the prisons are less well known.
7:42
O-sound
Political prisoner
“My name is Nayrein Kyaw (pronounced Nairin Gjoo) – prisoner number 6745. I was in prison for over eight years.”
7:54
The 33 year old managed to flee to Thailand.
8:01
O-sound
Bo Kyi
Political prisoner
“My name is Bo Kyi (pronounced Bo Tschi) – prisoner number 2874. I was gaoled in Insein and in Mandalay prisons. Altogether I was there for seven years and three months.”
8:13
Ankle chains and handcuffs had to be worn.
8:21
O-sound
“When I was arrested my face was hidden. They didn’t want other people to see me or me to see them. For me that was psychological torture.
8:43
With this exhibition 10 former political prisoners are trying to show the world that human rights in Burma are grossly abused. One former political prisoner and student activist said: In Burma there are only two prisons. One with prison walls and one with out. The question remains – for how long?
Ends
August 2003 – 8’45”
Information
Since 1962, Burma has been ruled by a brutal military dictatorship. With their weapons the regime threatens not only the democratic opposition but also the population. The Burmese army is merciless. On the 30th of May, the popular leader of the opposition Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested again, almost a year to the day after the generals have freed her from eight years of house arrest. All the opposition offices of the NDL – the National League for Democracy - were closed and colleagues arrested. The European Union and the USA want to isolate Burma using international pressure such as sanctions. Even ASEAN members are putting pressure on Burma to free the ‘Lady’ as Aung San Suu Kyi is known. The west also wants to force the junta to recognise the results of the 1990 election that gave victory to the NDL. The party won over 80 per cent of parliamentary seats – an overwhelming majority. Over 100,000 prisoners sit in Burma’s appalling gaols. According to estimates over 1,200 are political prisoners. Some of them manage to flee over the border to Thailand. They recount stories of torture and shocking conditions. This film, shot without official permission, found an intimidated population. Anyone who speaks to foreigners is suspected of being against the government. Informers are everywhere. Even hotel rooms are searched.
TEXT
0:07
Myanmar - or Burma as it used to be called - is promoted in the tourist brochures as a Far Eastern paradise. For nearly 30 years the country has been isolated. The golden pagodas are deceptive. This is the poorest country in Asia. Malnutrition, poor education, high inflation and illness are commonplace.
0:37
The military rules the country with an iron fist. Propaganda warns that the opposition are against the government and the country. They must be observed and crushed.
0:52
This is how the military junta wants it. They showed their power in 1988 during a protest demonstration at Rangoon University. Eight hundred students were shot and then over 3,000 members of the opposition murdered. Two years later the government allowed elections. The opposition party NDL won with 82 percent of the popular vote. But those in power refused to recognise the results.
1:23
Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced Aung San Suu Tschi) is the leading government critic. Almost a year to the day after the Generals released the Nobel Prize Laureate from eight years house arrest, she was taken into custody again by the security police. The 58 year old is now being held in an army prison in Rangoon.
1:50
She’s called for a renewal of the tourism boycott. Every dollar that goes into the pockets of the military prolongs the suffering of the people.
1:59
The generals are afraid of a new outbreak of public protests like those in the 80’s and are surprised by the continuous increase in popularity of Aung San Suu Kyi. Government hit squads attack NDL supporters. Many are killed.
2:19
The street of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house is closed. Visitors are blocked. All NDL offices around the country have been sealed off and the university’s been closed again.
2:31
The Martyr Mausoleum is a reminder of Aung San, the father of the opposition leader, who was shot in 1947. The population are scared that history will repeat itself. In the newspaper a NDL party member reports over the travel of Aung San Suu Kyi in the north of the country. That was officially given as the reason for the new crackdown.
2:58
3:04
The Burmese are poor. A long period of isolation and economic mismanagement has left the country in economic ruin. Two thirds of the 50 million strong population live off the land. Farmers have to sell a third of their harvest at the spot price to the government. On the waterways are boats ready for the scrap heap. Entire families spend their lives on the boats. The government does nothing to ease the plight of its people.
3:38
This Burmese tells of his brother who is in prison because of his political activities. He hopes the military regime will soon come to an end. Every conversation for a Burmese with a foreigner is fraught with danger. Our TV crew was asked what was the purpose of its visit and passport numbers were taken. It’s the younger Burmese who make their displeasure at those in power widespread.
4:04
The only ones, who can publicly make fun of the government are the Moustache Brothers. But political wit can also be punished and they have to tread a fine line.
4:22
One brother in January 1966 made an appearance before the opposition leader. Shortly afterwards he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
4:30
Par Par Lay was released after five years and seven months.
4:38
O-sound
Lu Maw
Cabaret artist
Par Par Lay has to do forced labour. He had to break stones. He was constantly beaten and tortured. But we continue. The government has arrested all the supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi. We too are worried every night that there’s going to be a knock at the door. One is simply scared to sleep.
5:06
The state benefits openly from the manpower of the population. Every Burmese has to work for the good of the country according to the needs of the government. Otherwise he has to pay a fine. One critic of the government was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his political activities. He didn’t want to be filmed.
5:29
O-sound
Government critic
“Certainly we have forced labour. Each one of us knows this suffering. We Burmese are really a poor people. Nevertheless, the West should impose more sanctions. They will hit some of us, but that doesn’t matter. The people in Burma are already suffering.”
6:06
Officially, the average monthly salary is around 20 US dollars. But many earn less. Corruption and bribery are part of everyday life. The huge army is usually involved. To the tune of vast amounts of money. Because of this, many families are unable to pay school fees for their children.
6:30
O-sound
Government critic
“The pressure is huge. Every one is scared of those in power but when something happens, we are strong. We trust ourselves to fight and also to die.”
6:53
leave free
7:05
Bo Kyi (pronounced Bo Tschi) is a former political prisoner. In Thailand he shows what in Burma is not discussed. Over 100,000 people are imprisoned, amongst them 1,200 political prisoners.
7:24
Pictures of students that were brutally shot in June 1988 by the special unit of the police went around the world.
7:35
These pictures of the prisons are less well known.
7:42
O-sound
Political prisoner
“My name is Nayrein Kyaw (pronounced Nairin Gjoo) – prisoner number 6745. I was in prison for over eight years.”
7:54
The 33 year old managed to flee to Thailand.
8:01
O-sound
Bo Kyi
Political prisoner
“My name is Bo Kyi (pronounced Bo Tschi) – prisoner number 2874. I was gaoled in Insein and in Mandalay prisons. Altogether I was there for seven years and three months.”
8:13
Ankle chains and handcuffs had to be worn.
8:21
O-sound
“When I was arrested my face was hidden. They didn’t want other people to see me or me to see them. For me that was psychological torture.
8:43
With this exhibition 10 former political prisoners are trying to show the world that human rights in Burma are grossly abused. One former political prisoner and student activist said: In Burma there are only two prisons. One with prison walls and one with out. The question remains – for how long?
Ends