National League
for Democracy
GANDHI HALL DECLARATION
8th Waxing Day of Wagaung BE 1352
1. We, the
National League for Democracy Pyithu Hluttaw members , after assembling
here at the Mahatama Gandhi Hall in Kyauktada township , Rangoon , on the seventh and eighth
waxing days of Wagaung BE 1352 , 28 and 29 July 1990
, and after consulting and discussing the matters concerning the well being of
the nation , State affairs and convening of the Pyithu
Hluttaw , unanimously adopt this Gandhi Hall
Declaration.
2. In the first
Multi Party General Election held in 30 years on
3. Now the Multi-Party Democracy
General Elections have been successfully held. It is only natural that the Pyithu Hluttaw be convened
shortly after the elections. This is also the expectation of the people.
However sixty days have gone passed since the elections ,
and the Pyithu Hluttaw has
not been convened.
The National League for Democracy ,
which has won an overwhelming majority in the elections , basing on short-term
and long-term interests of the State , has proposed to the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC)to hold frank and sincere discussions with good
faith and with the object of national reconciliation. However
, the State Law and Order Restoration Council has not given a reply to
our proposal in any way.
4. The entire nation including Sanghas(monks)
, people , peasants , workers , students , youth and service personnel all
aspire a speedy transformation into a democratic administrative system so as to
be free from current economic hardships , fear and anxieties that have arisen
out of restrictions on democratic rights.
5. In every civilized society and
country that practices democracy the Pyithu Hluttaw is regarded as the highest body and the dignity of
a country is promoted by the respect shown by the people to the Pyithu Hluttaw. We firmly believe
that only when the democratic Pyithu Hluttaw functions in Myanmar Naing-Ngan , will the country gain
honour in the international community.
6. Only the Pyithu
Hluttaw constituted of Pyithu
Hluttaw representatives who have been elected with
the confidence of the people will be able to solve ,
in accordance with the wishes of the people , the political , economic and
social crises faced by the people today.
Therefore , in accordance with
Article (3) , chapter (2) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law , which states : “ The Pyithu Hluttaw shall be formed
with the Hluttaw representatives who have been
elected according to this law from the constituencies “ , it is of vital
importance to convene the Pyithu Hluttaw
expeditiously.
7. We believe that ,
according to the law and ethnic , it is not only impossible for those who are
responsible to fail in the task of convening the Pyithu
Hluttaw , but will not be proper and right not to
carry out such a task if there is any compassion and thoughts for the
aspiration of the people and various crises of the nation.
Therefore giving birth to the Pyithu
Hluttaw is an inevitable task. In accordance with Article
2 (a) , Chapter (1) of the Pyithu
Hluttaw Election Law which states : “ Hluttaw means the Pyithu Hluttaw , we fully understand that Pyithu
Hluttaw to be formed is not a constituent assembly “.
8. We are glad to learn that the National League for Democracy has already
drafted a constitution in connection with power prescribed by the law or
transfer of power prescribed by the law.We also
support the proposal of the National League for Democracy to hold consultations
with other parties on “ the 1990 Provisional Constitution (Draft)“.
It is our conscious opinion that this provisional
constitution will bring about the transfer of power in accordance with the law.
9. Only the Pyithu
Hluttaw represented by us has the responsibility to
adopt the new constitution which aims at building a new democratic union. We on
our part shall hold constitutions widely in carrying out the task.
However a constitution drawn up at any time at any other
place than the Pyithu Hluttaw , without power
being bestowed , without the executive power , facilities and glory of the Pyithu Hluttaw , and without the
ratification and adoption of the Pyithu Hluttaw , will not have an executive power. A constitution
drawn up in such a way will not have any honour , either.
Therefore it is clear that it is of vital importance to
convince the Pyithu Hluttaw
expeditiously so as to draw up a new constitution which aims at building a new
democratic union aspired by the people.
10. We understand that until a democratic
government is formed , problems concerning democratic
rights which will inevitably arise will have to be tackled with prudence.
It is not desirable that democratic rights should be
restored only after the formation of a democratic government and that such rights be prohibited until the formation of such a
government.
We believe that a democratic environment must be created
before a democratic government is formed.Only then a
new democratic union can take shape smoothly and peacefully.Only
in a democratic environment , will the people be free from fear and anxieties
and will be able to live with physical and spiritual happiness and join hands
to conscientiously build a new democratic union.
During this period the people shall ,
as a minimum , enjoy the freedom of publication and expression. It is against
political freedom of publication and expression.It is
against political nature that the National League for Democracy
, which has overwhelmingly won enough seats in the Pyithu
Hluttaw to form a government , itself has been
prohibited from the minimum democratic rights. It is shameful in the eyes of
the people and the international community.
As we have accepted the verdict of the voters through the
elections we deserve to be conferred with a decent standard accordingly. We
should at be free from harassment and intimidation.
11. Under the present circumstances , we are fully aware of the crises , hardships
and problems which must be solved during the transitionary
period from one-party system to multi-party democratic system in the country.
We hope that solutions will be found by a frank and sincere discussion with
good faith and with the object of national reconciliation based on
mutual respect between the National League for Democracy and the State Law and
Order Restoration Council.
Today the intricate problem of a nuclear war which can
devastate the whole mankind has been prevented up to now by means of
consultations. In the same way , we believe that all
problems between one another in our country will smoothly be solved by face to
face dialogue. In holding such talks:
(a) frankness , sincerity and natural
respect,
(b) national reconciliation,
(c) practice of peaceful means,
and
(d) general harmony without hard
feelings
are essential policies which must be observed.
12.Calling for the convening of the Pyithu Hluttaw constituted of
people’s representatives is the most basic legal right of the people. We , the people’s representatives , have the duty to call
for that right on behalf of the people.
In accordance with the wishes of the people
, Article (3) Chapter (2) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law , the essence of the democratic system
and international procedures , we , the National League for Democracy Pyithu Hluttaw members ,
unanimously call on the State Law and Order Restoration Council on this day to
convene the Pyithu Hluttaw
during September , 1990.
Pyithu Hluttaw Members
National
League for Democracy
Mahatama Gandhi Hall