Recently, I asked a group of Shan friends for their views as ethnic people with regard to democracy in Burma and this is what they said.

Many Shan people have experienced and are still experiencing victimization, persecution and unlawful execution by the SPDC Military Regime, and as with other ethnic groups, they also suffer the most horrendous brutality of being raped, tortured, imprisoned, and are still having to endure forced labour, and forced displacement.

However, my Shan friends feel that the Burmese tend to view all ethnic groups in the same way, with no deep understanding or interest in each ethnic group.  Each group has their own cultural identity, language, characteristics and political aspirations; each ethnic group is different.   As a young Shan friend points out: _

“The story of the problems with the Burmese regime is different and the SPDC regime responds to ethnic nationalities also differently. For example, the Burmese regime treats the Shan Armed groups, the Palaung armed group, UWSA, the Pa O armed groups, KDA army, etc.(which are based in Shan State) differently. They treat Shan armed groups bitterly and suppress them more than others because only Shans talk about the Panglong Agreement, and about the armed groups which are part of their history.  For Karen people and Karen army, their history is another aspect. They are strong with themselves but are not concerned with Panglong Agreement to form the Union.”

To the Shans, the Panglong Agreement is an integral part of their history. It was an agreement between Bogyoke Aung San and Shan, Kachin and Chin leaders and was the basis for cooperation between the Burmese and the ethnic groups which set out the principles for a federal union – an issue which still needs to be resolved.  The SPDC is diametrically opposed to federalism, calling it “disintegration of the union”.

The Shans feel that they are not regarded as citizens who matter much to Burmese leaders and their needs are usually marginalized. As a Shan friend points out, “If we learn the history of Burma, we will never see that Shan State or any other state had their own territory but that all were in the territory of Burma, and since Burma was founded, this was never mentioned, so it means that there is no Shan State or any other state in the real deep mind of Burmese politicians. In fact, the states they mention are only sweet words to make the bees calm, just to satisfy their opponents. Have you ever heard of any Burmese politician talking about federalism?  No, there is no one, not even the NLD.”

Although many Shans know that democracy has to be achieved first, in their heart of hearts their dearest wish is to gain federalism or independence, and to have the right to choose which one.  The key is for Shans to be empowered, to make decisions on issues that effect their future. The inhumanely long sentences given to the Shan Leaders such as Khun Htun Oo is a major impediment for any political dialogue for the future.

The Shans also feel that, they have been discriminated against for decades by the Burmese; hence it is not easy for Shans to fully trust the Burmese.  To have democracy it is important that there is full understanding and cooperation on the side of the Burmese leaders as well the Shans.  There should be no racism, fascism, discrimination and hatred on either side. As our young Shan friend comments: _

“When we point out their SPDC politics (racial politics or maha Burma politics), SPDC and many Burmese pro-democracy activists respond by accusing us that we are racists and then neglect SPDC racist politics. Actually, fascism, racism are the toxin of democracy.  So, if there is any kind of racism or fascism existing in a community or in a country, democracy will cease to exist automatically.

So, to realize democracy in a country we must clean up these racism or fascism first. Cleanse this toxic mindset or cut off the chances for implementing racism or fascism.  Fire will stop if there is no fuel to make fire. We should seriously analyse which way is the best way to think about Union of Burma? Which way is the best way to get rid of Burmese racism? How much racism are Burmese school text books and ideologies teaching their children (including those of us who live in Union of Burma and the Burmese Military who have been lecturing their soldiers and comrades from 1962 until today) and what do the young Burmese believe in today?

Of course, the problems of Union of Burma do not depend only on the Shans alone. There are also other ethnic nationality problems within the SPDC Burmese regime. So, if we only talk about Shan State and the Shan people, it may seem we are selfish and some may think we are racists but we are also people who matter, and we need to be heard.”

I shall conclude my article with a story which will uplift our spirits:_

“I heard and saw one case, and would like to share with our brothers and sisters. One guy told me, about his experience whilst he lived in Shan State, which I heard with my own ears and see with my own eyes.

This guy is still young, but has no teeth. I asked him, ‘How come you don’t have any teeth?’  To which he answered, ‘When I lived in Shan State, the Burmese soldiers tortured me brutally because they suspected me of being a rebel. In fact I wasn’t.  They also hung me fatally. Fortunately, I managed to survive. After that when I see the Burmese, I want to kill, but I can’t because I think the Burmese also have some good people’.”

This is a story which one of my Shan friends told me recently.