Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand fear the international community could recognize the junta-led election despite its lack of freedom and fairness.
A survey by Burma Affairs & Conflict Study (BACS), a research institute, found that most Myanmar emigrants in Thailand are concerned that other countries, including Thailand, might accept the election results.
When BACS released its survey, RESPECT Myanmar, many respondents said that international recognition of the junta after the election could escalate violence and oppression in Myanmar and increase pressure on migrants abroad.
The majority of respondents said the situation in Myanmar is likely to worsen as internal conflicts intensify. They also expressed concern over the junta’s arbitrary arrests of civilians and confiscation of property.
Ko Min Thway Thit, a student strike leader, noted that the whole country is worried the election could further entrench the military dictatorship.
“The entire population is worried that the election could be used to strengthen the junta’s rule. We want the international community to understand these concerns. People fear the junta might gain international recognition through the election,” he told Than Lwin Times.
The BACS survey interviewed 209 Myanmar emigrants from 14 cities and 11 provinces across Thailand, conducting both individual and group interviews.
The majority of respondents also expressed frustration that international organizations, including the United Nations (UN) have ignored Myanmar’s ongoing crisis.
Survey respondents also said that ASEAN countries have addressed the Myanmar crisis from a self-interested perspective, failing to defend the rights and wellbeing of the suffering Myanmar people.
Most survey respondents also expressed concern that, following the election, the renewal of residence visas and study permits for Myanmar emigrants in Thailand could be delayed, suspended, or revoked.
U Toe Zaw Latt, secretary of the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM), noted that Myanmar emigrants fear they could be targeted by the junta if they choose not to cast vote in the election.
“The junta holds the household registrations of people living abroad. Emigrants fear that if they don’t vote, the junta will monitor them. The junta has also made threats about this. So, if Myanmar people abroad end up voting in the elections, it’s out of fear. It’s impossible that they are voting willingly,” he told Than Lwin Times.
Ninety-eight percent of respondents said they have no intention of voting willingly in the junta-controlled election, believing it to be a sham that cannot be trusted to establish a legitimate civilian government.
The two percent who said they might vote explained that their motivation is a desire for domestic peace, but they remain uncertain whether the election will resolve Myanmar’s crisis and do not expect it to be conducted fairly.
BACS noted that a striking finding of the survey was that not a single respondent believed the election would bring positive or meaningful changes for Myanmar.
Respondents noted that the situation in Myanmar has worsened on all fronts since the coup and emphasized the need for greater cooperation among domestic stakeholders and more effective involvement from the international community to resolve the crisis.
