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New York Declaration of the Interna
- Subject: New York Declaration of the Interna
- From: burma1un@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 13:24:00
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.