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Translation is not by the NLD and any errors or mistakes are the sole
responsibility of the translators: 
News & Info. Dept FTUB. 



National League for Democracy
No 97/1 West Shwegondaing Road
Bahan Township - Rangoon

Statement No 5 (7/98)


1. Elected members of parliament from the NLD party are the legally and
lawfully elected peoples' representatives chosen by the majority of the
population during the 1990 parliamentary elections. They are honourable MPs
who stand true to the rights and hopes of the people who have chosen them.
To restrict the activities of these NLD MPs, the authorities have used the
1961 Act: Habitual Criminal Offenders Act which is not at all lawful nor
justifiable. This 1961 Act: Habitual Criminal Offenders Act is to be
applied only to restrict the habitual offenders of the law.

2. Since the elected representatives of the NLD do not commit any such
crime, to apply the section 5/1/Sa and section 5 of the Act on them is not
at all lawful nor justifiable.

3.  Since section 5/1/Hsa applies to those habitual lawbreakers and
offenders only, the assumption and accusation by the authorities on the NLD
representatives is not at all worthy or applicable.

4. The authority concerned itself should strictly follow the law to the
word and should not use the enacted law like an elastic band. Laws should
never be abused by the power of the governing body.

5. To take action on the NLD representatives by the above Act, the
authority must be able to produce tangible/concrete evidence and
testimonies. The authority should notify the MPs of what they have been
accused of and then find out the information received correct or not.

6. Since it has been 8 years after the general election, the rumour has
spread around that the term of the Member of Parliament has already been
expired. We find this rumour unfounded. When the Central Executive
Committee of the NLD has written to the SPDC to fulfill the obligations of
the 1990 elections and to convene the parliament by August 21, 1998, the
authority at once detained the NLD MPs denying them the right to defend
themselves. This action on the part of the SPDC is in violation against
Human Rights?

7. Since NLD members are also MPs, they are deemed by the authority as
elements that can disrupt the peace, law and order of the country; elements
that are dangerous and can cause alarm to the population in general. Hence
the authority issued restraining order and arrested some MPs. This is
totally unlawful and is directly opposite to the path of the rule of law
and order.

8. Restraining orders issued against all MPs to remain within certain areas
and all not allowed to travel out of certain areas are violating the
criminal codes 339 and 340. This restriction is also violating the
universal declaration of human rights.

9. Just to dishonor and demean and erode the status of the NLD party, the
junta classed the NLD MPs as the worst of the criminals and destitutes by
applying the 1961 Act Habitual Criminal Offenders Act. To this NLD abhors
and denounces. No government in this world ever demeans or dishonors its
own MPs as the military junta of Burma does.

10. The aims of enacting laws are to uphold truth, justice, equality and
compassion for the people and for all to enjoy the benefits, rights and
share their responsibilities equally. Now laws are entirely abused by the
people in power and are twisted to suit to their corrupt ways against the
NLD members of parliament.

11. The NLD objects strongly and totally to the treatment of its MPs so
dishonourably and shabbily by the junta. The NLD specially and strongly
calls upon the authority to revoke its mean and unjust orders and to put an
end to the restrictions imposed on the legitimate activities of the party.





Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon


3 July 1998