Representatives
of the People elected to the People's Parliament
in the 1990 multiparty democratic elections
(Committee representing the People's Parliament)
Notification No 2 (1999)
The contents of a letter dated 22 January 1999 from the Committee Representing the 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.
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" 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
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. "
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Committee Representing the People's Parliament
(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for Democracy.)