New Delhi - The May 10 referendum of Burma's ruling military junta is a sham and is designed to entrench military rule in the country, Human Rights Watch in its new report released on Thursday said.
The 61 page report, titled 'Vote to Nowhere: The May 2008 Constitutional Referendum in Burma', said the Burmese junta in its run-up to the referendum continues to commit widespread repression, including arrests of opposition activists, media censorship, ban on political meetings and gatherings.
There is a lack of an independent referendum commission and courts to supervise the vote, and the junta has created a pervasive climate of fear.
"You can't hold a free and fair referendum when you deny every basic right to your people," said Brad Adams, Asian director of the HRW.
The report details that while the ruling junta is vigorously campaigning to win supporting votes, opposition activists are being physically beaten up harassed, and imprisoned.
In its referendum law announced in February, the junta has restricted any kind of speeches, public debates or discussion criticizing the referendum process. It will impose three years in jail and monetary find if the law is flouted
On March 30 and April 1, Burmese security forces detained a total of seven opposition activists who had held a peaceful protest wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the word 'No' in Rangoon, the report said.
Besides, the junta is quick in dispersing and arresting activists for trying to hold protests in various parts of the country.
According to the Thailand-based Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners in Burma, over 70 Burmese activists were arrested during April 25 to 28 for trying to stage demonstrations in Burma.
"The generals expect the Burmese people to just shut up, follow their orders, and approve the draft constitution without any discussion or debate. That's not exactly how democracies are born," Adams said, in the press release.
The HRW called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, not to give any credibility to the referendum process, but to insist on implementing real reforms.
The group also called on neighbouring and regional countries including China, India and Thailand not to give any credibility to the junta's referendum process.
"The Burmese junta's friends, including China, India, and Thailand, should not give any credibility to this process. If they do, it will simply expose them to ridicule for having said they were committed to democratic change in Burma," Adams said.
