Hindustan Times: Why Amnesty was wrong to strip Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi of top honour
‘Speaking up’ will make her look good with the international Press, but it will do nothing for the challenges Myanmar faces. The international community needs to strengthen her hands, not weaken them.
Why Amnesty was wrong to strip Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi of top honour
The vilification of Aung San Suu Kyi continues unabated. Whether it is Amnesty International or United States vice-president, Mike Pence, no one, it seems, can wait to signal their virtue by throwing an egg at her face.
The author is exactly spot on the political realities Myanmar and that faced by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Power resides with the one holding the weapon and with the ability to wage violence on those that dissent. The entire concept of law and order, national sovereignty as well as the right to rule – all depends on the ability to apprehend or even destroy/kill those that refused to follow the decree from the powers to be.
In essence, the Burmese military is the ones with the true power, and not Aung San Suu Kyi nor the ruling party, National League for Democracy. They have the power, or even “fire power” to strip Aung San Suu Kyi off her power, or even return her back to house arrest if they choose to revolt and perform a military coup.
Thus, the need for Aung San Suu Kyi to keep the balance, building the trust and bidding her time is extremely important.
Cover Photo: Reuters