Seeking Justice in Burma
In his early efforts to promote democracy in Burma, Bo Thanmani embodies a commitment to education and peaceful activism, inspired by his Buddhist roots. As a young monk, he pursued further education, laying the groundwork for his understanding of freedom and social justice. Bo Thanmani took to peace walks in Europe and Asia to advocate for Burma's plight, emphasizing the power of peaceful protest. On his return to Burma in 2011, he focused on educational projects aimed at empowering rural youth, fostering the critical thinking necessary for a democratic society. The 2021 coup prompted him to disrobe and engage directly in political activism, reflecting the necessity of individual participation in democracy's advancement.
“Hopefully, sooner or later, Asia will be free. And people will be will be open-minded or start to think of not only oneself, but also for many. Hopefully, in the future.”
I wanted to make awareness of Burma’s situation. My country was so long, so long a military regime. Since when I was born the regime was in Burma. And it was only a short time a democratic system Burma. Yes, I wanted to make awareness of our civil democracy movement. Still today the world is not really [paying] enough attention yet.
We feel that our country is ignored and [international players] do nothing, especially the United Nations. Even though our country is a part of the United Nations, a member of the United Nations, still, we [have] got[ten] no help. And I feel we are helpless. The justice is where? I don't see real justice in the world. The beginning of the United Nations, the formation of the United Nations is to not have any war in the world. But still today there are wars, civil wars in Burma, civil wars everywhere. And invasion from Russia to Ukraine; so many things are happening. The question now today is why is there a United Nations; for what is the United Nations? What is the role of the United Nations? This is the weakness of the world's top leading organization; it is not functioning well, I want to say. What I want to say is that the United Nations, itself is also not democratically formed, especially because of the veto power.
There are five countries that own veto power. To own veto power means that they can do whatever they want. For example, the highest power in the United Nations is the Security Council. In the Security Council, there are 50 members. If 14 countries were to vote ‘Yes,’ but only one country would say ‘No,’ then that country who says ‘No’ will win. Because that country has as a veto power. That is a very anti-democratic system. So, if even United Nations itself has no democracy, where is the real democracy? Especially in Asia, a real democratic country, we cannot find. Still there is no real, pure democratic country that we can we can find in Asia. But yes, in Europe, there are many [such] countries.
I like very much the European system and helping each other. Our Asian neighboring countries don't share their democratic systems because they, themselves, are also not real democratic countries, like India, China, and Thailand. Many countries, they are not really democratic countries. That's why we are suffering. Hopefully, sooner or later, Asia will be free. And people will be will be open-minded or start to think of not only oneself, but also for many. Hopefully, in the future.