Committee representing members of the
People's Parliament elected in the 1990 multi-party general elections
(Committee representing the People's
Parliament)
Notification 33 (5/99) (translation)
On the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the multiparty general elections.
1. The
2. (a) The multiparty general elections is significant because it marks the shift from a system where only one party or political organisation can exist to a system where many political parties proclaim their ideologies and form organisations for political activity. A multi-party political system perpetuates democracy, which is founded on the principle that people have a right to self-determination, and that sovereignty lies with the people. They must have the right to choose which political ideologies and policies they want. (b) In democratic elections, candidates are selected by the various political parties to contest in the constituencies demarcated in accordance with the election law. The candidates and the voters in the electorate are bound by prescribed rules and regulations. (c) The primary objective is that elections should be free and fair. Election Commissioners and officers appointed to oversee and supervise the elections must be impartial in their dealings with all the contesting parties. They must not in any way interfere or meddle with the voters or the political parties. Political parties have the freedom to campaign and should not be hampered in any way. No one has the right to stop, hinder or prevent an eligible voter to cast his/her vote in accordance with his/her own free will and desire. (d) That everyone has the right to choose their representative in the government through free elections is a basic and fundamental right that is embodied in Article 21 of United Nation Declaration of Human Rights.
3. Though nine years have gone since the holding of the celebrated "multi-party democratic general elections", the authorities have not
only refused to follow through and
transfer power but are hampering and blocking the multi-party political system.
Democracy in
4. Out of 492 constituencies demarcated for the 1990 (May 27) elections, polls could be held in 485. Of the 20,818,313 eligible voters, 15,882,523 cast their votes (72.59%). The number of valid votes was 13253606 (87.7%) while only 12.3% were invalid for various reasons.
5. The above
figures are an indication of the extent to which the citizens of
6. The State Law and Order Restoration
Council (now State Peace and Development Council) held the 1990 multi-party
elections as per the provisions dated
7. It is clearly stated in the law that " Hluttaw means the Pyithu Hluttaw". (It does not state that it is a constituent assembly created for the purpose of writing the constitution). Furthermore, the law provides that " the Hluttaw must comprise representatives elected by the electorate in accordance with the provisions of this law (Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law)". Therefore, after the elections, the Hluttaw must be convened and the peoples representatives must attend to carry out their duties and responsibilities. Nine full years have gone since the holding of those "free and fair elections" and though those responsible authorities have announced and published the elected peoples representatives specifying the electorates and the number of votes gained by each individual the Pyithu Hluttaw has not emerged.
8. The authorities that made the law, rules and regulations for holding the elections are primarily responsible for implementing them and establishing the Pyithu Hluttaw. Responsibility lies also with those representatives who have been chosen by the free will of the electorate. They contested the elections with the firm belief that a Pyithu Hluttaw
would be created immediately after the elections and that they could take up the tasks and duties as representatives of the people. Had they known then that no Hluttaw would be convened, they would never have participated in the elections. Therefore, working towards the creation of a Pyithu Hluttaw is the principal duty of honest Pyithu Hluttaw Representatives to keep faith with their electorate.
9. It is nine years since the multi-party general elections (Pyithu Hluttaw Elections). Nine years is much too long a period between one general election and another according to international parliamentary practice and the practice that was adopted at one time in Burma. During this period, not only have the authorities flouted the will of the people by not implementing the results of the elections, they have meddled and disturbed the whole process of democracy and the entire progress and advancement of the country. We now see the present authorities launching out on a campaign similar to a military offensive to destroy every vestige of the democratic process. Pyithu Hluttaw representatives from the NLD and the nationalities, many many members of the NLD have been arrested, held in custody and pressured to resign. Those who have resisted have been subjected to orchestrated no-confidence demonstrations organised by threats and intimidation against unwilling constituents. They are doing their utmost to destroy and annihilate democratic rights.
10. Under these circumstances, it will be
expedient to examine the events of the past. (a) The period after
11. The two main problems to be solved in
12. (a) But this concept has not been understood widely. It is especially necessary for the Burmese majority group that has been in control of successive governments to consciously accept the desires and wishes of the minority ethnic groups. There should be no demarcations based on population. It is absolutely necessary that all citizens should work together as equals with persistence to obtain equal rights for all. Some people unthinkingly say "once democracy is obtained we can consider the rights of the nationalities". (b) Amongst the nationalities there are those who put their rights first, and the cause of democracy comes second. It is true that without democracy, the rights and problems that the nationalities are experiencing cannot be discussed or solutions found. Equally true is the fact that ethnic problems will not be solved automatically once democracy is obtained. Long-standing problems have to be resolved patiently and thoroughly with much deliberation. Just as the democratic forces should not entertain the idea that only after democracy is established the ethnic problems will be tackled, the nationalities and ethnic groups should not place their problems as a first priority before the issue of democracy. Starting from now, these two issues should be tackled simultaneously.
13. Let us objectively study the ethnic problem even though it means going against the current trend. A mainstream argument is that imperialists whose policy was to divide and rule created the problems. There can be no truth in that. An honest analysis of this ethnic problem will lead us to the conclusion that the problem is internal and not external just as the saying goes "there can be no smoke without a fire".
14. It has been said that the British
imperialists created the dissension between the Shans, Kachins,
Karens, Kayahs, Chins and
other ethnic groups causing disunity in the country. Is this true?
Examine the social, political and related problems of the Rakhines,
leaders until independence was
gained. They did not place their own people's problems or their own freedom
first. They joined the YMBA, Do-bama-asi-ayone (Thakin group) , Pha-Sa-Pa-La, and the Ba-Ka-Pa
organisations which embraced the whole of
15. But later, the Rakhines
formed their own Arakan Unity Party (Ya-Ta-Nya) and
the
16. Therefore, to
solve the ethnic problem in
17. The different
nationalities and citizens of
18. (a) Ever since the Tatmadaw assumed power in 1962, democracy vanished but monks, citizens, ethnic groups have all endeavored to restore democracy and rid themselves of the illegal pressure and illegitimate government on several occasions. Examples are:- "The Students Incident", "Hmaing One Hundredth Birthday Anniversary Incident", "U Thant Incident", " Workers Incident", "88 Revolution of the Spirit Incident". (b) Because of the "88 Revolution" the one party totalitarian system was wiped out and the people's desire for a multi-party system was allowed. The general elections were held. But the refusal to establish a parliament comprising the peoples chosen representatives amounts to flouting the will of the people. Though the Tatmadaw has declared that it has "no desire to cling to power for a long period of time" it is doing everything possible to annihilate the National League for Democracy and the other democratic forces through pressure, threats and intimidation which reflects their real intention not to relinquish
power. In fact and in truth they are like wolves in sheep clothing because their real intention is to extend military control under the guise of democracy. No matter what they do, history has proved that such deceptions will not succeed.
19. Today, the people face immense suffering and yearn for a bright and brisk open market economy. A political system that is not in conformity with such an economy must naturally be destroyed. Those who are deliberately putting obstacles to prevent the accomplishment of this process will stand condemned by history. The authorities have not only deceived the people in countless ways, they have tried to deceive the world. Now that 9 years have passed since the elections and parliament has not been convened, like the gourd that will not sink, their true character is revealed.
20. For eight years, right up to 1998, the National League for Democracy, other democratic forces and ethnic political parties have repeatedly urged the authorities to enter into dialogue for national reconciliation. This they have not done but have been making it appear that it is the NLD's fault, and that it is the NLD that will not participate in a dialogue. Then again they are saying that if the Committee Representing the Peoples Parliament is dissolved, those held in detention will be released and they will proceed with dialogue. The citizens of Burma and the whole world knows that the NLD and all the other political parties of the different nationalities are serious about dialogue and that only by dialogue and negotiation, reconciliation and a better future will result. They have repeatedly issued statements asserting this fact. It is only the SPDC that is placing all sorts of obstacles and excuses because of their desire to retain power.
21. Negotiations must be conducted on an equal footing. Giving orders and stipulating who can be present and who cannot be present is not appropriate. The NLD must have the right to freely select its spokesman. The important matter is that both sides must be fair minded putting first the future good of the country to improve the economy, education, social conditions etc. In the present day, there is no problem or there should be no problem that cannot be solved if it is approached with a willingness to learn how such problems have been solved in other countries. Parties from the nationalities and other democratic forces are urging and asking for dialogue. The people who are suffering immense hardships are also looking forward to the restoration of a democratic system so that their problems can be resolved. Countries of the world and the United Nations are repeatedly urging that there be tripartite dialogue between the nationalities, the SPDC and the NLD.
22. We again urge that a preliminary meeting of the NLD and the SPDC be held as a first step and then to tripartite dialogue so that we can proceed towards a new era of democracy.
23. (a) Because we have not been able to create
unity in
tough time. We need to be united to solve the problem. To
build national unity we must have the right national program. Today, the most
urgent and historically accurate program should be to promote democracy and to
find solutions to the problems of the ethnic nationalities. Because democracy
was wiped out in
24. The resolutions taken at the 1998 NLD
convention and the action taken by the Central Executive Committee will be
given here. (a) On
(b) Of all the resolutions taken the first resolution relating to the convening of the Pyithu Hluttaw is most important. The Central Executive Committee in implementing the resolution sent a letter on the 23 July to the authorities asking for the convening of parliament within 60 days. It also discussed this matter with 4 political parties of the nationalities and obtained their approval. Information about this was also given to Bohmu Aung's Democracy group. (c) This was a step taken to enable the emergence of a Pyithu Hluttaw in the best possible manner but sixty days passed and the authorities simply ignored the request. What did emerge were the true colors of the SPDC. They rounded up over 200 elected parliamentarians, numerous NLD party members, leaders and parliamentarians of ethnic parties and kept
them in detention. (d) Notwithstanding, the NLD Central Executive Committee, to fulfill the task and responsibility placed on them at its 1998 convention and to implement the will of the people, formed a legally constituted committee together with four political parties of the nationalities which is now known as the Committee Representing the Pyithu Hluttaw. This Committee has the mandate from 251 NLD and Nationalities parties. (e) This committee has been engaged in examining the current laws and making recommendations for annulment of archaic laws and review and amendment of laws that do not benefit the people. It has exposed the illegal activities of the authorities by publications for all to know. Moreover, it held a ten-man committee meeting on the 10 December and formed sub-committees for particular parliamentary subjects so that issues can be widely deliberated on.
25. (a) The National League for Democracy has from
its inception worked closely with the parties of the nationalities especially
the United Nationalities League for Democracy, to perpetuate democracy. This is
because, the present situation requires that urgent
solutions be found for the problems of democracy and ethnic groups. (b) After the NLD had been created there was
constant contact and consultations with parties of the ethnic groups and the
United Nationalities League. This enabled them to put out a joint Bo Aung Gyaw Statement on issues relating to democracy and equality
of status. For the emergence of a Hluttaw, the Shan Natonalities
League for Democray, the Arakan League for Democracy,
the Mon National Democratic Front and theZo-me
National Congress are working jointly with the National League for Democracy to
achieve equal status in a
26. There is a need for such and similar efforts to meet and cooperate with other democratic forces.
27. This relates to the policy of self-interest. (a) In 1999, the authorities have gone to the limit to pressure and threaten members of parliament and ordinary members of the NLD and nationalities and behaved outrageously towards them. More than 200 NLD members of parliament and numerous other members, leaders and members of ethnic parties have been arrested and incarcerated. Branch offices of the NLD have been ruthlessly and illegal demolished. They have forced Pyithu Hluttaw members to resign and when they were unsuccessful in their efforts, they have orchestrated sham demonstrations against them. The stormy political climate has turned into a hurricane. (b) Under such circumstances it is to be expected that some politicians become infected with the germ of self-interest and opportunism. This applies to a very minute proportion of NLD members. No matter how small that number may be it is a fact that one drop of infected blood will invite the disease into the system. It has to be eliminated. Moreover, the two policies, (NLD's policy, to stand by the people and the policy
of self-interest) must be clearly distinguishable. Those self-interested persons are condemning the NLD's attempt to create a Pyithu Hluttaw and are following the line and voice of the authorities. (c) According to them, we will have to wait until the authorities convene the Pyithu Hluttaw be it 8 or 80 years. They say that demolition of NLD township offices, resignations of parliamentarians, arrests and detention are the result of a wrong move by the League. The fact is that the League's actions are to implement the will of the people and it cannot be wrong. The activities of the authorities can be compared to the story of the wolf and the lamb - if you are not him you must be the father or the grandfather, ..... so the story goes. Those self-serving people should be aware that just as they have destroyed other political parties in the past they are attempting to do the same to the NLD. (d) Those persons have written that "The NLD, instead of attempting to convene parliament on its own, should be seeking a negotiated settlement with the government and that is what the legally constituted political parties and other organsiations are anticipating." They are not aware that one nationality party stated repeatedly that "whether the government or the NLD convene the Pyithu Hluttaw, it is our duty to attend". They are pretending not to know the wishes of the other political parties and the people. They make statements to suit their own ends and it is very obvious that they are political opportunists only concerned with the interest of themselves and their families. They will suffer the ire of the people. As for the NLD we will continue to march on to fulfil the will of the people, to establish a Pyithu Hluttaw and to perpetuate democracy till we claim victory.
28. (a) While we continue the fight for democracy, human rights, rights of the nationalities we urge members at all levels (Central, Township, Village/Ward) to conform to the policies and programs keeping national interest first and to stand firm, with unity and steadfastness. We must work single-mindedly to obtain unity and solidarity. Organizing systematically without ostentation should be adapted widely which means that the organisation must be systematic and reach out to the people as widely as possible. (b) Because the NLD's present policy is correct and in accordance with the will of the people we will continue to have the support of the people. While we have the support of the people the authorities can never succeed in breaking us no matter how much they persist. The National League for Democracy will never weaken or be destroyed. In fact we are stronger now than ever before and soon we will claim victory.
Committee representing the People's Parliament
(Responsibility for distribution and publication is taken by the NLD).