WRWAB Statement

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Women Rights and Welfare Association of Burma (WRWAB)
Statement
Date : 18th September 1998

		Even though Burma was free from colonial rule and achieved
independence 50 years ago, the people of Burma have been deprived of
democracy and fundamental human rights since 1962. However, the privileged
military clique and their associates have been enjoying with their full
rights. The military regime which took over power on 18th September 1988
had promised to hand over power to the winning party in the election held
in May 1990 . It has been more than eight years that the election was held
and the military government is still illegally holding the state power.

The regime always maintains that democracy and human rights are the words
of western world and it does not suit with the Asians particularly the
people of Burma. But, it has been freely attacking  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
personally in its controlled media that she is no longer a citizen of
Burma as she married to a British national. The British Embassy in Rangoon
had to issue a statement at last saying that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has
never been a citizen of Britain. 

Moreover, Lieutenant- General Khin Nyunt, head of the military
intelligence of the country, accused the democratic forces and National
League for Democracy (NLD) of "misleading young girls with anti-government
spirit and disobedient character and persuading them to think highly of
the West and tarnishing the dignity of Burma's women under the pretext of
women rights". In fact, young girls and women of Burma have to work as
maids and they are forced to work in sex industry of other countries due
to poverty-striken social and economic situation of the country under the
tight control of the regime. It really tarnishs the dignity of Burma's
women in the world community.

We, the members of Women Rights and Welfare Association of Burma (WRWAB),
strongly condemn the ruling military government in Burma for its recent
articles in the government-controlled media of "deporting" Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi from Burma. And although Burma is a signatory of Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the military junta has ignored a people's
fundamental right of right to marriage and has been consistently accusing
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a "colonialist's cohort" for marrying a foreigner.

Therefore, we demand the military government of Burma:

1.	To immediately and unconditionally release Members of Parliament
and all political prisoners,
2.	To guarantee the freedom of movement and freedom of expression of
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and 	to stop attacking Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
personally in its media,
3.	To convene the people's parliament and to hand over power to the
democratically elected-	government.

We, members of WRWAB, would like to appeal to the women of Burma and the
democracy-loving people and governments of the world :

-	To condemn with clear expressive terms the military government of
Burma which is grossly 	violating human rights in the country and its all
unlawful rules,
-	To support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is championing for democracy
in Burma and trying to 	free the people of Burma from fear,
-	To pressurize the military regime to start a dialogue with the
democratic forces led by Daw Aung 	San Suu Kyi and to establish a
democratic government through the people's parliament which is 	being
asked by National League for Democracy party,
-	To sever all the diplomatic, economic, political and military
relationships with the ruling military 	regime of Burma which violates
human rights with the worst record in the world and which still
imprisons thousands of democracy activists including Members of
Parliament.

Moreover, we support the Yellow Flowers for Democracy Campaign initiated
by ALTSEAN-BURMA (Alternative Asean Network on Burma) and Burmese Women's
Union (BWU) and appeal the women of Burma to show their solidarity with
the democratic movement in Burma by using and wearing something in yellow
colour.


Central Committee
Women Rights and Welfare Association of Burma
New Delhi, India

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