GENEVA - The international community must unequivocally reject as illegitimate the election results in Myanmar and any power arrangement that follows, a UN expert said today, as voting concludes in the country's discredited parliamentary polls this weekend.
"Sunday's final day of balloting in the Myanmar junta's fraudulent election scheme will hopefully bring relief to the people of Myanmar who have faced election related intimidation, threats, arrest and lengthy prison terms if they criticised the election or failed to participate," said Tom Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
"While the election results within Myanmar have never been in doubt, the election result that matters most is the response of the international community," Andrews warned.
"The junta has orchestrated the election specifically to ensure a landslide by its political proxy. It took no chances, banning credible opposition parties, jailing popular political figures, muzzling the press, crushing fundamental freedoms, and using fear and coercion to drive a reluctant electorate to the polls."
"The junta is banking on the world's fatigue, hoping that the international community will accept military rule dressed up in civilian clothing," he said. "Governments must not allow that to happen."
"We can all anticipate arguments from junta allies that the election, while not perfect, is a sign of progress. Precisely the opposite is the case. International acceptance of this fraudulent exercise would set back the clock on genuine resolution to this crisis," the expert said.
Andrews said that sustained international pressure was a prerequisite for the junta to accept that its reign of violence and brutality against civilians is not sustainable.
According to the Special Rapporteur, the three phases of voting in the junta's election scheme were marked by violence, low turnout and widespread coercion. Voters reported being monitored and pressured by local authorities, with repercussions-explicitly threatened or implied-for those who stayed away. Junta officials were pushing citizens to polling stations even as military jets bombed villages throughout the country.
Andrews noted that most foreign governments recognised the absurdity of the junta's election ploy and refrained from sending observers or otherwise lending the exercise credibility. He commended ASEAN which, according to a recent statement by the foreign minister of Malaysia, will not certify the election results.
"States that endorse the results of these polls will be complicit in the junta's attempt to legitimise military rule through a fabricated vote," he said. "The international community must maintain and intensify efforts to isolate the junta, its enablers, and any proxy government emerging from the so-called election."
The Special Rapporteur called on states to focus on cutting the flow of weapons, aviation fuel, and funds that enable the military's campaign of violence and repression.
"The people of Myanmar have shown extraordinary courage in resisting military tyranny," Andrews said. "They deserve a future decided by their will-not by a rigged process designed to keep their oppressors in power."
