BURMA: National Convention with 1,300 political prisoners

Myat Soe
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
April 5, 2004

As usual, the Burmese military junta has come out again with another
trick of hoodwinking the people of Burma and the international
community with its National Convention schedule for 17 May. This
announcement is aimed at shoring up its crumbling image in the on-
going Bangkok Process. The junta’s sincerity and genuineness towards
Burma and its people can be judged by the fact that the people’s
elected representatives, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National
League for democracy (NLD) members, were unlawfully apprehended
after their attempted assassination failed and are still not released.

How can there be a National Convention when the real representatives

of the people, together with 1,300 other prisoners of conscience, are
still under lock and key? The unconditional release of all political
prisoners, without any restrictions whatsoever on their political
activities, and the permitting of an independent free media are pre-
requisites for the successful convening of the National Convention.
Hence, we denounce this sham National Convention. Now and again,
we demand unanimously that the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) fulfill the following required conditions to conduct a
genuine National Convention. They are:

1) The unconditional release of all political prisoners. Of utmost

importance is the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Min
Ko Naing
2) The resumption of political parties' activities without any restrictions

3) The privatization of all forms of media, including, of course the

press. In other words, ensure freedom of press.

We cannot consider the National Convention to be a sincere political

process until these conditions are met. Therefore, we urge international
communities, governments and institutions to keep up the pressure
and to use their power and influence to stop the ongoing political
oppression and violation of human rights inside Burma.

On the other hand, we hereby reaffirm our support for the United
Nationalities League for Democracy’s (UNLD) roadmap to democracy
and political analysis of Burma’s current situation as distributed in its
document, “Road Map Of United Nationalities League For Democracy
and Current Political situation,” and distributed by the Euro-Burma
Office. Its demands include:
1) THE INVESTIGATION OF THE DEPAYIN EPISODE: The United Nations
should investigate the events of 30 May 2003 at Depayin. After the
investigation, a Truth Commission (similar to that in South Africa)
should be formed so that the process of forgiveness and reconciliation
can commence. To pretend that nothing happened would only serve to
build up suspicion in both camps.

2) THE POLITICAL ROADMAP PROPOSED BY THE SPDC SHOULD BE

SUSPENDED: The political road map announced by Prime Minister
General Khin Nyunt on the 30 August 2003 will not lead to democracy.
It will not reduce suspicion and hatred. It does not respect the wishes
of the people as expressed in the 1990 free and fair multi-party
general elections organized by the State Law and Order Restoration
Council's (SLORC). It should not be implemented.

3) IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF POLITICAL

PRISONERS WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED SINCE 1988: Freedom to
participate in political activities is the birthright of every citizen of
every country. It is undemocratic to consider as an enemy someone or
a party, which does not have the same views as yourself, or your party,
and to imprison them and to debar or disqualify that political party.
Therefore, the release of all political prisoners who have been
incarcerated since 1988 will help in solving the current political turmoil.

4) THE NLD AND THE SPDC SHOULD MEET AND EXCHANGE VIEWS: The
NLD, which won the majority of seats in the 1990 election, is duly
registered and recognized by the Election Commission. The SPDC is a
military government that appropriated authority to restore law and
order in 1988. Both have the responsibility to unravel the political mess
that exists today. They should meet, not shrouded in secrecy, but with
an openness for the whole world to witness.

5) THE BASIC DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS SHOULD BE

RESTORED: The SPDC, which governs the country today, is laying the
foundation for democracy. They have made a worldwide declaration
that a new democratic state will be established. Therefore, every
restrictive order or action must be abolished and all citizens must be
permitted to exercise the basic democratic rights, which are freedom of
thought, freedom of expression, freedom to publish and freedom to
participate in politics within the bounds of the democratic system. This
should be implemented within three months from commencement of
dialogue between the NLD and the SPDC. Those who believe that the
military has a part to play in the nation's political future should resign
from the military and establish a political party. Civil servants who have
the desire to be politicians should do likewise.
6) THE RESULTS OF THE 1990 GENERAL ELECTIONS SHOULD BE
RECOGNIZED AND
USED AS A BASIS FOR A TRANSITION: The NLD and the SPDC should in
consultation and negotiation decide the date on which state power is
to be transferred. Prior to a formal transfer, an interim coalition
government should be first set up. This interim government or
authority should comprise the Committee Representing the People's
Parliament (CRPP) and the military government's representatives and it
should be completed within three months.

7) AN AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED TO CONVENE A NATIONAL

CONVENTION:
Should agreement be reached for the convening of a National
Convention, it must be based upon the outcome of the 1990 elections.
The elected representatives of the people must be the basic members
of the National Convention. Special elections should be conducted to
fill vacant positions in the various electorates. All delegates must act in
accordance with the rules and procedures adopted in the National
Convention. For the purpose of a wider understanding and in depth
discussion, suitable delegates to the convention may be appointed by
the interim government/authority. But the number of such appointees
shall not exceed the number of the people's elected representatives.

8) AN INTERIM COALITION GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED:

The Interim Coalition Government should act as a supervisory body to
the National Convention and formulate the basic guidelines and
requirements. The National Convention should be started afresh and
not as a continuation of the defunct convention. The National
Convention should draw up the basic principles that must be written
into the Constitution within 6 months of its formation and the Interim
Government should give a time frame for presenting the same to the
Parliament. Only the Interim Government should have the authority to
extend the time by three months if necessary.

9) THE 1993 NATIONAL CONVENTION PROCEDURES SHOULD BE

DISCOUNTED: All operations by the National Convention between the
years 1993 to 1996 should be wiped off the slate. The National
Convention currently being proposed should be regarded as new and to
start with new procedural rules, which are to be negotiated and
formulated.

10) THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION: Based on the draft

constitution prepared by the National Convention, the Parliament must
within 6 months complete and confirm the new Constitution.
11) THE HOLDING OF NEW GENERAL ELECTIONS: Within 6 months of
the Parliament confirming the new constitution, a general election
should be held with international supervision.

12) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PARLIAMENT: Within 6 months of

the elections, a Parliament must be convened. The Parliament will be
responsible for forming the new government, transferring of state
power, and all other matters relating to the state.

We, the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) believe that
the above Road Map can be acceptable to all.

(The writing is the sole opinion of Mr. Myat Soe, Research Director of
Justice for Human Rights in Burma -www.jhburma.org).