Statement Eng

PETITION OF BURMESE DEMOCRATIC FORCES RESIDING IN FINLAND TO GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE OF THE WORLD 7 June 2009 We would like to inform the governments and people of the world, who respect human rights and democratic rights, and especially the people and the government of Finland, who cherish human dignity and peace, about the latest situation in our nation. To the democratic forces and the movement for democracy in Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not only a leader, but their hope and their belief as well. She will bring a bright future to the nation and will light the beacon of peace in Burma. Though she is a Noble Prize winner, she is now under detention in her own nation. It is an attempt of the generals to imprison the belief of the people of Burma. The aim of the junta is to legalize their rule that they have wrested after killing many people since 1988. Beginning from 1993, they drew up a constitution that would only let a general to become the president of the nation with the power to stage a coup at any time he thinks necessary. Articles that would exclude Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma's politics were also added. The referendum to approve that constitution was held at the time when the people from the Irrawaddy Division were facing very hard times just after they were hit by Nargis Cyclone which killed about two hundred thousand people and left millions of people homeless and devastated. The junta denied aid offered to the victims by the international community and went on with their referendum, a typical case of the generals fishing in troubled waters. After the massacre of monks who were engaged in the movement of praying in the streets for the whole nation in 2007, Mr. Gambari has visited the country many times and made efforts to mediate between the junta and the opposition. However, it is now difficult to say if his attempts have simply failed or the situation has deteriorated. During the time, the generals had carried out their secretive activities to alleviate the various pressures burdening them, and to make up leeway through the economic and diplomatic blockades that engulfed them. Through their diplomats and agents stationed abroad, they sent out disinformation and tried to bargain with concerned governments and people. Some foreigners and Burmese living abroad, it is learned, were involved in those counter activities. It has now become clear that the SPDC government is determined to put all the opposition forces, including monks, students, activists and no doubt, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in jail in order to hold their 2010 elections without a hitch. Many student leaders and monks were sentenced to sixty-year or seventy-year jail-terms and were deported to remote jails. At present, the junta has framed a plot to put Daw Aung San Suu Kyi behind the bars. At first, they seemed to have planned to hand down the verdict as early as possible. However, due to the protests and pressures of the people of Burma and the international community, now, the junta appeared to lengthen the process of the trial and delay the verdict. Perhaps they are waiting for a time when people pay less attention to the case.

On April 29, 2009, National League for Democracy issued a statement, widely known as Shwegondan Declaration. The declaration demanded the junta to - Release their general secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners. - Rectify the constitution drawn by the generals. - Allow the political parties to operate freely. - Acknowledge the result of the 1990 Elections. - Hold negotiations At the same time, the declaration stated that the National League for Democracy would take part in the coming elections after considering the Political Parties Registration Act and the Election Act provided: - The junta releases all political prisoners, including the leaders of the National League for Democracy. - Rectify the non-democratic articles from the junta's constitution. - A free and fair election is carried out under the supervision of the international community. The stance and demands expressed in the Declaration are "Proposals for the Democratic Reform Period" which is very important for the nation and the people. We, democratic forces from Burma residing in Finland, expressed our unreserved support for the declaration. Our demands are as follows: 1. Unconditional Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi! 2. Unconditional release of the unjustly detained ethnic leaders and all Political Prisoners! 3. Ratification of the Constitution! 4. Realisation of dialogue at an early date!

Democratic Forces of Burma (Finland) +358 50 4921957