The regime in Burma has been working overtime recently to deflect pressure over the human rights situation in the country, while also attempting to win over the international community. For the naïve, it would be easy to believe that Burma is on course for much-needed change, so there is thankfully no longer much to worry about. However, the world must not be misled by the regime’s public relations games.

“Most of Burma’s parliamentary MPs served in the past regime, so they know well how to speak about reform without actually reforming anything,” notes Yeni in a recent editorial for The Irrawaddy.

Nearly four years after the Saffron Revolution took place, 222 monks remain behind bars. Those responsible for the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in 2007 are still in power thanks to the sham “elections” of 2010. They still run the country, enjoying impunity and remaining free to continue committing serious human rights violations, especially in ethnic areas.

Even though they have labeled themselves a ‘democracy’, Burma’s rulers are up to their same old tricks – playing another round of their favorite game – the ‘wait and see’ game.

They have become very skilled at this game.  When Burma’s rulers want something from the international community — such as the ASEAN chairmanship for 2014, or for the UN not to establish a Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Burma — they make a few cosmetic changes and make vague promises of ‘reform’ to charm the world into thinking Burma is on the path to positive change. Apologists for the regime then say, ‘We should wait and see if the generals will keep their promises, this time may be different. Now is not the time to push for change.’

We need the international community to see through the ploys of the Burmese regime, and demand concrete steps towards genuine change.

It doesn’t take much to see how what the regime says about democratic change is different from what they actually do:

-  President Thein Sein announced that exiled activists could now return back to Burma, although he has not released the nearly 2,000 political prisoners who remain locked up. When an exiled journalist did return, he was immediately detained and interrogated as soon as he landed at the airport in Rangoon.

-  The regime announced it would create its own human rights commission (with an ex-military general as the chairman!). At the same time, troops are being ordered to commit atrocities in ethnic areas. Even chief ministers are ordering forced labor. There are 30,000 newly displaced in Shan State and 40,000 newly displaced in Kachin State. The militarization in Burma is increasing in ethnic states, and many communities are facing forced labor, forced relocation, sexual violence, and more.

-  While officials make speeches about helping the economy and alleviating poverty, they sell off Burma’s natural resources to other countries. Dams and pipelines will ship energy to China and other countries, while local populations face displacement, abuses, pollution, and still no electricity.

Thankfully, not all diplomats and policy-makers are prepared to fall for the regime’s old tricks. Upon completing his first visit to Burma and meeting members of Burma’s government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the US Special Envoy and Policy Coordinator for Burma, Derek Mitchell, said during a press conference earlier today, “The government should take concrete actions in a timely fashion to demonstrate its sincerity and genuine commitment to reform and national reconciliation.”

Among the steps Mitchell suggests are, “releasing all political prisoners unconditionally, engaging in meaningful outreach to the political opposition, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and engaging in dialogue rather than armed conflict with ethnic minority groups.”

For a clear guide on how to see through the Burmese regime’s latest “Charm Offensive”, click here for a list of the Top 7 PR Ploys of the Regime by the U.S. Campaign for Burma.

Related posts:

• 84,000 Karen Civilians Call on Ban Ki-moon to Help Stop Attacks in Burma
• Photo Petition – bring a UN commission of inquiry to Burma