Good afternoon. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to speak with you today.
I want to take a moment to commend you on your 2013 study of the human rights context in Burma and its excellent recommendations.
I work at Inter Pares. We're a small Canadian social justice organization based here in Ottawa. Before passing the floor to my colleagues form Burma, I want to note that the amazing work they do is part of a large Burma program that is funded by the Government of Canada and managed by Inter Pares.
We've been working with people from Burma since 1991. For much of the past 20 years we have had significant financial support from CIDA and now the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. The focus of our work is in the conflict-impacted communities in Burma.
By way of introduction, I want to make one point.
Burma has two intertwined struggles: the fight for democracy and for ethnic autonomy.
Over the past four years we have seen some progress in the democracy movement. This progress is often somewhat superficial, and we have sadly seen backsliding over the past year.
Just today, hundreds of riot police cracked down on peaceful student protesters north of Rangoon. An estimated 100 people were badly beaten and over 120 were arrested. Those attacked included protestors, villagers, medics, monks, and media.
In terms of the struggle for ethnic autonomy, it's important to note that about 40% of the population identifies as an ethnic nationality. There has been conflict in the ethnic states for the past 60 years. This conflict is rooted in ethnic people's desire to have some control over their own lives, to be able to speak their own languages, to practise their religions, and to manage their own social services, education, and resources. In general they aspire to a federal system much like we have in Canada. There has been very little progress on these aspirations.
We firmly believe that democracy and sustainable peace in Burma will only be possible if they are inclusive processes and if ethnic aspirations are addressed.
With that, I will pass the floor to Wahkushee.