National Convention With 1,300 Political Prisoners

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 ongoing 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 prerequisites 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).