Language on the 1990 elections and transfer of power in Burma
from the resolutions of the
UN General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights

CHR = Commission on Human Rights; GA = General Assembly; The numbered paragraphs are operative paragraph. Un-numbered paragraphs are preambular paragraphs

The General Assembly/Commission on Human Rights:

GA 2003

Affirming that the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government and that the will of the people of Myanmar was clearly expressed in the elections held in 1990,

5. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar:

(b) To immediately and unconditionally release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, other leaders of the National League for Democracy, and members of the League detained on or after 30 May 2003, and to allow them to play a full role in bringing about national reconciliation and the transition towards democracy;

(h) To restore democracy and respect the results of the 1990 elections and to enter immediately into substantive and structured dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy directed towards democratization and national reconciliation and, at an early stage, include other political leaders in these talks, including representatives of the ethnic groups;

CHR 2003

Affirming that the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government and that the will of the people of Myanmar was clearly expressed in the elections held in 1990,

5. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar:

(a) To restore democracy and respect the results of the 1990 elections and to enter immediately into substantive and structured dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy towards democratization and national reconciliation and at an early stage to include other political leaders in these talks, including representatives of the ethnic groups;

GA 2002

Affirming that the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government and that the will of the people of Myanmar was clearly expressed in the elections held in 1990,

5. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar:

(a) To restore democracy and implement the results of the 1990 elections and to ensure that the contacts with Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy move without delay into substantive and structured dialogue towards democratization and national reconciliation and at an early stage to include other political leaders in these talks, including the representatives of the ethnic groups;

CHR 2002

Aware that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government and therefore gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

GA 2001

13. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take urgent and concrete measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to extend the talks initiated with Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, to encompass a genuine and substantive dialogue with all the leaders of political parties and of ethnic minorities, with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely, and, in this context, notes the existence of the committee representing the People's Parliament;

CHR 2001

(d) To take urgent and concrete measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to extend the talks initiated with Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary-General of the National League for Democracy, to a genuine and substantive dialogue with all the leaders of
political parties and of ethnic minorities, with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely

GA 2000

9. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar, taking into account the assurances it has given on various occasions, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy, in accordance with the will of the people, as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to that end, without delay, to engage in a substantive political dialogue with political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic groups, and, in that context, notes the existence of the committee representing the People's Parliament;

CHR 2000

7. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar:

(c) To take urgent and meaningful measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to engage immediately and unconditionally in a genuine and substantive dialogue with the leaders of political parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and of ethnic minorities with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely, and in this context notes that the National League for Democracy has established a committee to represent temporarily members of Parliament elected in 1990 who are prevented by the authorities from exercising their democratic mandate conferred on them by the people of Myanmar;

GA 1999

Aware that, in accordance with its Charter, the United Nations promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government, and therefore expressing its grave concern that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

10. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar, taking into account the assurances it has given on various occasions, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end and without delay, to engage in a substantive political dialogue with political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic groups, and, in this context, notes the existence of the Committee representing the People's Parliament;

CHR 1999

Aware that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government and therefore gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

7. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar:

GA 1998

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

8. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar, taking into account its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely, and in this context notes that the National League for Democracy recently established a committee to represent the Parliament temporarily;

CHR 1998

3. Expresses its deep concern:

f) That the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the democratic elections of 1990, while noting that the absence of respect for the rights pertaining to democratic governance is at the root of all major violations of human rights in Myanmar;

(h) That most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 are still excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, and that one of the objectives of the National Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State; notes also with concern that the composition and working procedures of the National Convention do not permit the elected representatives of the people freely to express their views; and concludes that the National Convention does not appear to constitute the necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy;

4. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar:

(b) To take urgent and meaningful measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to engage immediately and unconditionally in substantive dialogue with the leaders of political parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and with leaders of ethnic groups, with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely;

GA1997

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

8.Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people, as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely;

10. Expresses its concern that most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 are still excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, and that one of the objectives of the Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State, notes also with concern that the composition and working procedures of the National Convention do not permit the elected representatives of the people freely to express their views, and concludes that the National Convention does not appear to constitute the necessary step towards the restoration of democracy;

CHR 1997

2. Expresses its deep concern:

(b) At the absence of significant steps towards the establishment of democratic government after the democratic elections of 1990, while noting that, according to the Special Rapporteur, the absence of respect for the rights pertaining to democratic governance is at the root of all the major violations of human rights in Myanmar;

(d) That most of the representatives democratically elected in 1990 have been excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, that severe restrictions have been imposed on delegates, including members of the National League for Democracy, who have withdrawn and subsequently were excluded, at the end of 1995, from the sessions of the Convention and who were unable to meet or distribute their literature, and that one of the objectives of the Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces (Tatmadaw) in a leading role in the future political life of the State, and concludes that the National Convention does not appear to constitute the necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy;

3. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar:

(b) To take urgent and meaningful measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to engage at the earliest possible date in a substantive political dialogue with the leaders of political parties returned at the elections of 1990, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and with leaders of ethnic groups, as the best means of promoting National reconciliation and restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely;

GA 1996

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the Organization promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government,

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

8. Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely;

9. Expresses its concern that most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 are still excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, and that one of the objectives of the Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State, and notes also with concern that the working procedures of the National Convention do not permit the elected representatives of the people freely to express their views;

10. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to democratically elected representatives;

CHR 1996

7. Again urges the Government of Myanmar to take, in conformity with the assurances given at various times, all necessary measures to guarantee democracy in full accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990, and to ensure that all political parties may freely exercise their activities;

8. Notes with concern that most of the representatives democratically elected in 1990 have been excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, that severe restrictions have been imposed on delegates, including members of the National League for Democracy, who have withdrawn and subsequently were excluded, at the end of 1995, from the sessions of the Convention and who are unable to meet or distribute their literature, and that one of the objectives of the Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces (Tatmadaw) in a leading role in the future political life of the State, and concludes that the National Convention does not appear to constitute the necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy;

9. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to the democratically elected representatives, lifting restraining orders placed on a number of political leaders, releasing those who are detained and ensuring that all political parties can function freely;

GA 1995

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

8. Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and to ensure that political parties can function freely;

9. Expresses its concern that most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 are still excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, and that one of its objectives is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State, and notes with concern that the working procedures of the National Convention do not permit the elected representatives of the people freely to express their views;

10. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to democratically elected representatives;

CHR 1995

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the United Nations promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government

Noting with particular concern in this regard that the electoral process initiated in Myanmar by the general elections of 27 May 1990 has not yet reached its conclusion and that the Government still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of those elections, 8. Again urges the Government of Myanmar to take, in conformity with the assurances given at various times, all necessary measures to guarantee democracy in full accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990, and to ensure that all political parties may freely exercise their activities;

8. Again urges the Government of Myanmar to take, in conformity with the assurances given at various times, all necessary measures to guarantee
democracy in full accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990, and to ensure that all political parties may freely exercise their activities;

9. Notes with concern that most of the representatives democratically elected in 1990 have been excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, that severe restrictions have been imposed on delegates, including members of the National League for Democracy, who are unable to meet or distribute their literature, that one of the objectives of the Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces (Tatmadaw) in a leading role in the future political life of the State and that no timetable as yet exists for the completion of the work of the National Convention, and concludes that the National Convention does not appear to constitute the necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy;

10. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to the democratically-elected representatives, lifting restraining orders placed on a number of political leaders, releasing those who are detained and ensuring that all political parties can function freely;

GA 1994

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the Organization promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government",

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,

7. Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and to ensure that political parties can function freely;

8. Notes with concern that most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 are still excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, and that one of its objectives is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State, and notes also that there is as yet no process or timetable for concluding the National Convention;

9. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to democratically elected representatives;

CHR 1994

Noting with particular concern in this regard that the electoral process initiated in Myanmar by the general elections of 27 May 1990 has not yet reached its conclusion and that the Government still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of those elections,

3. Again urges the Government of Myanmar to take, in conformity with the assurances given at various times, all necessary measures to establish a democratic State in full accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990;

4. Notes with concern that most of the representatives democratically elected in 1990 have been excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare the basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution, that severe restrictions have been imposed on delegates, including members of the National League for Democracy, who are unable to meet or distribute their literature, and that one of the objectives of the Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces (Tatmadaw) in a leading role in the future political life of the State;

5. Notes with concern the observation of the Special Rapporteur with regard to the National Convention that no evident progress has been made towards turning power over to a freely elected Government;

6. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to the democratically-elected representatives, lifting restraining orders placed on a number of political leaders, releasing those who are detained and ensuring that all political parties can function freely;

GA 1993

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the Organization promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government",

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

3. Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps towards the

restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990, and to ensure that political parties can function freely;

4. Notes with concern the observation of the Special Rapporteur, with regard to the National Convention, that no evident progress has been made towards turning over power to a freely elected civilian Government; 7/

5. Also notes with concern in this respect that most of the representatives duly elected in 1990 have been excluded from participating in the meetings of the National Convention, created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new Constitution, and that one of the objectives of the National Convention is to maintain the participation of the armed forces in a leading role in the future political life of the State;

6. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to the democratically elected representatives;

CHR 1993

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the United Nations promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government,

Noting with particular concern in this regard that the electoral process initiated in Myanmar by the general elections of 27 May 1990 has not yet reached its conclusion and that the Government still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of those elections,

3. Urges the Government of Myanmar to take, in conformity with the assurances given at various times, firm steps towards the establishment of a democratic State and to adopt the measures recommended in General Assembly resolution 47/144;

4. Notes with concern in this respect that the National Convention created to prepare basic elements for the drafting of a new constitution is meeting, having excluded most of the representatives duly elected in 1990, and also notes with concern that one of its objectives is to maintain the participation of the armed forces (Tatmadaw) in a leading role in the future political life of the State;

5. Urges the Government of Myanmar to take every appropriate measure to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through convening the Parliament elected in May 1990, lifting restraining orders placed on a number of political leaders, releasing those who are detained, ensuring that political parties can function normally and lifting restrictions on the right of association and assembly, as well as the right to freedom of opinion and expression;

GA 1992

Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the Organization promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that article 21, paragraph 3, of the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights states that "the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government",
Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,
4.   Urges the Government of Myanmar to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy, fully respecting the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990;
 
5.   Also urges the Government of Myanmar to take every appropriate measure to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer of power to the democratically elected representatives;

CHR 1992

Noting with particular concern in this regard that the electoral process initiated in Myanmar by the general elections of 27 May 1990 has not yet reached its conclusion, that no apparent progress has been made in giving effect to the political will of the people of Myanmar, as expressed in the elections, and that the final results of the elections have not even been officially released,

5. Invites the Government of Myanmar to take every appropriate measure to allow all citizens to participate freely in the political process in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the convening of the Parliament elected in May 1990

GA 1991

 
Aware that, in accordance with the Charter, the Organization promotes and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that 
"the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government",
 
Recalling that the Government of Myanmar has assured the General Assembly and other United Nations bodies of its intention to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the elections held in 1990,