Committee representing the People

Committee representing the People's Parliament elected in the 1990 Multiparty Democratic General Elections

Notification No 7 (1998)

1. The meeting of the Committee Representing the People's Parliament held on the 8 December 1998 was attended by:

U Aung Shwe Chairman ( MP, Mayangone township No: 1, Rangoon Division)

U Aye Thar Aung Secretary (Representative of Shan National League for Democracy, Arakan League for Democracy, Mon National Democratic Front, Zome National Congress)

U Than Tun Secrtary ( MP, Thaungthar township No: 2, Mandalay Division)

and the following members:

U Tin Oo Deputy Chairman, National League for Democracy
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi General Secretary , National League for Democracy
U Lwin MP, Thongwa township No: 1, Rangoon Division
U Hla Pe MP, Moulmeingyun township No: 2, Irrawaddy Division
U Soe Myint MP, South Okkalapa township No:1, Rangoon Division
U Lun Tin MP, Moulmein township No:1, Mon State
U Nyunt Wei MP, Taungoo township No: 2, Pegu Division

2. The committee passed the following resolutions:-

Resolution Number 1 : Formation of parliamentary committees.

(Note: When parliament is convened, the membership of the committees is subject to appropriate review after consultation with the members through the Speaker of the House.)

For the purpose of attending to affairs that are the responsibility of parliament, the chairman or secretary or both of these committees will function to the best of their ability. These committees will operate until such time as parliament is convened.

(a) Committee for the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs

U Aye Thar Aung Chairman
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Secretary

When parliament is convened there will be consultation with MPs of the States and this committee will be reconstituted or other members included.

(b) Committee for Finance/ Economy/ Commerce: U Nyunt Wei Chairman

(d) Committee for Education: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Chairman

(e) Committee for Health and Social Affairs: U Lwin Chairman

(f) Committee for Foreign Affairs: U Aung Shwe Chairman

(g) Committee for Cultivators and Peasants Affairs: U Soe Myint Chairman

(h) Committee for Workers Affairs: U Than Tun Chairman; U Lun Tin Secretary

(i) Committee for Parliamentary Affairs: U Hla Pe Chairman

(j) Committee for Defence: U TIn Oo Chairman

Resolution Number 2:

In conformity with democratic principles the people in whom sovereign power resides, freely and fairly elected their representatives from the respective political parties. The removing, restraining, forcing resignations, holding in custody and imprisoning in jail of these people's representatives is vehemently condemned. We emphatically demand that they be released immediately and unconditionally for the observance of the rule of law.

Resolution Number 3:

In 1998, subsequent to the lawful request by the National League for Democracy and the political parties from the other ethnic groups for the convening of parliament the authorities who assumed state power commenced arresting, holding in custody, and imprisoning parliamentarians from all political parties. These operation amount to destroying the outcome of the free and fair multi-party democratic elections held in 1990. We vigorously disapprove and condemn these actions which makes a shameful precedent for any country. A very big misdeed.

Resolution Number 4:

In the matter of the convening of Parliament: It was resolved that the imprisonment of parliamentarians and others by the authorities and making it known that they would be released if and when the Committee representing People's Parliament is dissolved is tantamount to a crime wherein the imprisoned are being held as hostages.

Resolution Number 5

The courage and sacrifices made by the men and women of all the political parties who are now being held and persecuted in devious ways are standing firm with persistence for democracy and human rights out oftheir personal convictions is deeply appreciated by this committee. They will be honoured and will have a place in the annals of our history.

Resolution Number 6

The unanimous decision taken at the third committee of the 53rd General Assembly of the United Nations in relation to human rights situation in Burma is a great source of encouragement to us. Paragraph 8 and 9 are of special importance.

Paragraph 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 that context notes that the National League for Democracy recently established a committee to temporarily represent the Parliament;"

Paragraph 9. "Also 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;"

Committee Representing the People's Parliament
Rangoon
8 December 1998

(The National League for Democracy takes full responsibility for distribution.)