The Regime Neglects the Agreements of CEDAW and Other Conventions on Women

In 1997, the SPDC agreed to and signed off on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Article 7 of the CEDAW guarantees “the right to vote and to hold political office” and “the right to participate in politics”. In addition, Article 8 guarantees women’s participation at the international level.
Article 21 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees women’s participation in politics. The international conventions also clearly state that women have the right to take part in legal and policy affairs of the government.
It also asserts that a society is not democratic if women cannot participate in politics because of economic, social and culture complexities.
In Burma, women’s participation in politics is not possible particularly because Burma cannot enjoy democracy under the current regime.
The military government in Burma refuses to respect international conventions on women. In addition, the regime uses different methods of coercion, threats and punishments to discourage women from engaging in politics.
While international communities favor women’s participation in politics, the regime commits crimes against those women who do take an active role. The May 30, 2003 attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the democracy movement in Burma, is a heinous crime. The international community must take action against the regime.
The regime signed the CEDAW. Moreover, Burma, as a member of the United Nations, agreed to implement the agreement of the Beijing Conference organized by the United Nations in 1995.
Women have the right to vote. Women need to be encouraged to hold political offices and to participate in other political activities according to international standards. Women should be encouraged to be a political force.
However, the regime fails to adhere to the principles and norms of international conventions on women.