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New York Declaration of the Interna



Subject:       New York Declaration of the International Conference on Burma

New York Declaration 
of  
the International Conference on Burma 


24 October 1996, Thursday
New York Helmsley Hotel

We, the representatives of the people of Burma elected in the 27 May 1990 
general elections, together with members of the democratic movement of Burma, 
having met at the New York International Conference, hereby:

Reaffirm the popular will of the people of Burma to restore democracy and the 
need of a national mandate for any government to govern;

Acknowledge the determination of National League for Democracy (NLD) to steer 
an unwavering path towards the restoration of democracy in Burma, and 
especially commend the courage and leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in taking
initiatives for a peaceful democratic transition in spite of increasing 
restrictions imposed on her and other members of the NLD;

Recognize the contribution of members of the NLD, monks, students and 
individuals inside Burma and all the sacrifices made by countless numbers of 
people in their unflagging struggle for democracy in spite of being confronted
by all manners of repression;

Welcome the decision of the NLD Congress to adopt democratic principles 
as a firm framework for the writing of a new constitution, the formulation of 
an economic blueprint for Burma, and the formulation of the future role of the 
Tatmadaw in our national life;  

Fully agree with the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that only a genuine political
dialogue between the leaders of the Tatmadaw, the leaders of the democratic 
movement, and the leaders of the ethnic minorities,  can serve to break the 
national deadlock and put an end to the continuing deterioration of Burma's 
national status and integrity;

Applaud the recent decision of the United States Government to restrict
visas for SLORC officials and people whose actions impede the democratic 
process in Burma, and increase support for the Burmese democracy movement;

Applaud the decision of the Danish Government to further promote the cause of
democracy in Burma by supporting the National Coalition Government of the 
Union of Burma and its allies;

Applaud the decision by the Norwegian Government to increase support for the
Burmese democracy movement;

Commend the decision of the European Commission to investigate the practice of
forced labour in Burma;

Are encouraged by the decision of the International Labor Organization in June 
to establish a Commission of Inquiry on Burma;

Share the concerns expressed in the resolution made at the United Nations 
Commission on Human Rights in April this year;

Note with appreciation all individuals and organizations working tirelessly 
and consistently for the democratic cause in Burma;

Note with great concern:

* the recent crackdown against students in Rangoon who organized demonstrations
against the police brutality and injustices on October 21 and 22;

* the massive arrest of over a thousand NLD members, who tried to attend the 
NLD Party Congress in September and May.  

* the deaths-in-custody of NLD elected people's representative U Hla Than and 
Danish honorary consul Mr. James Nichols;

* the continuing detention of U Win Tin, central executive committee member 
and other members of the NLD,  student activists including Min Ko Naing, the 
leader of ABSFU, and many other individuals arrested for their involvement in 
the democratic movement;

* the continued use of repressive laws and decrees to restrict and deny the 
people of Burma their fundamental rights;

* the rising number of gross human rights violations such as arbitarary 
killings, mass arrests, forced labor, forced relocation and torture across 
the country especially in areas with ethnic populations;

* the escalating tension in ethnic areas and the use of force to impose
cease-fire conditions on the ethnic groups;

* the alarming rate of inflation and macroeconomic instability causing severe 
distress on the daily survival of the majority of the population;

* the decaying social bonds within the society as evident by rampant 
corruption, family breakdown, growing prostitution and crimes.  

Noting the above concerns, we call on the people of Burma to unitedly strive 
for a WAY out of our NATIONAL CRISIS; to restore to Burma, our national 
integrity and a dignified role in the family of nations. 

Stressing the need for enhanced cooperation between all people of Burma to 
bring a peaceful change in our country, we hereby:

1.  Call for an immediate convening of a consultative dialogue between SLORC 
leaders and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to resolve tensions and to discuss further 
procedures on political dialogue;

2.  Call on the SLORC to stop using force in managing civic protests and in 
seeking peace with ethnic groups;

3.  Call on the leaders of the Tatmadaw to facilitate the process of national 
reconstruction which can restore democratic institutions, free market 
mechanisms, a civil society and a modern armed forces. 

4.  Call on the members of the Burmese communities around the world to 
strengthen their engagement at the grassroot level;

5.  Call on the United Nations to send a special envoy to mediate the 
implementation of the resolution set forth in the last United Nations General 
Assembly, in particular, to facilitate national reconciliation and 
democratization;

6.  Call on the United States Government and the international community to 
take additional measures to send an unmistaken signal to the military leaders 
in Burma that they cannot continue carrying out acts of repression with 
impunity;

7.  Call on the ASEAN to defer the entry of Burma into the association;  

8.  Call on the members of the international business community to refrain 
from investing in projects that are beneficial to the SLORC and in projects 
that are detrimental to the benefits of ordinary people with serious economic,
social and ecological damage impact on Burma's future; and

9.  Call on the NGOs, human rights groups, activists and individuals engaged 
in the issues of Burma to sustain their efforts in promoting the cause of 
democracy in Burma.