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CRPP Notification 2 in English
Representatives of the People elected to the People's Parliament in the
1990 multiparty democratic elections (Committee representing People's
Parliament)
Notification No 2 (1/99)
The contents of letter dated 22 January 1999 from the Committee
representing People's Parliament elected in the 1990
multiparty general elections to the Speakers of the two Houses of the
Japanese parliament are released for information.
START
" 1. We disclose to the Speakers of the two Houses of the Japanese
Parliament the deep fear that prevails in the minds of the Burmese
parliamentarians-elect of the May 1990 general elections. Though nine
years had elapsed since the elections in Burma, the State Law and Order
Restoration Council and the successor the State Peace and Development
Council -who are the military authorities exercising power- have refused
to convene parliament. Moreover, they have by overpowering methods
removed, imprisoned, and forced resignations of a great number of the
elected representatives.
Some of them have had to leave the country to enable them to continue
the political struggle.
2. In June 1998, the National League for Democracy,
which won 82 percent of the parliamentary seats asked the State Peace
and Development Council to abide by their promises and to convene
Parliament on or before the 21 August 1998. Because they failed to do
so, the NLD was convinced that the responsibility for convening
Parliament was theirs and announced its intention to do so. The
authorities them resorted to all illegal and unjust methods of arrest
and incarceration of parliamentarians-elect, active members of the NLD
and their supporters.
3. For this reason this committee was formed on the 16
September 1998 to make preparations and enable the convening of
parliament. Of the ten committee members, one member is acting on behalf
of the political parties from the nationalities which consist of the
Shan National League for Democracy, Arakan League for Democracy, Mon
National Democratic Front, and the Zome National Congress. Of these
parties, the first two obtained second and third most votes in 1990
general elections.
4. From the time this Committee representing the
People's Parliament was formed the authorities increased the pressure
and speed in their efforts to wipe out the democratic movement. They
have resorted to extremely base and despicable tactics against the
activists for democracy and human rights in the NLD. They have illegally
incarcerated over 150 parliamentarians-elect including Dr. U Saw Mra
Aung, who has been nominated Speaker of the People's Parliament by this
committee and who is the Chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence, Military Intelligence
Directorate, an offensive has been launched to annihilate and destroy
completely every vestige of success that accrued from the 1990 general
elections. Therefore it is a very grave cause of distress and misgiving
for us that the Japanese government should invite members of a
department exercising such awesome authority to be their honoured
guests.
5. The people of Japan enjoy the irrevocable right to
elect their representatives to parliament. By extending this invitation
to a group that is deliberately and systematically working towards the
obliteration of democracy and human rights for the people of Burma an
impression will be created that your nation condones such activities.
Therefore, we would request you, Mr. Speaker to convey our fears to your
government and refrain from creating such an impression.
6. We are firmly convinced that the day will come when
the people's representatives in Burma and Japan can work together in
accordance with democratic principles for freedom and peace not only in
their own lands but worldwide.
7. We request that the matters raised here will be
circulated to all the parliamentary members. "
END
Committee Representing People's Parliament
25 January 1999
(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for
Democracy.)
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