Committee representing members of the People's Parliament elected in the 1990 multi-party general elections

(Committee representing the People's Parliament)

 

Notification 38 (6/99) (translation)

 

 

1.  The National League for Democracy, a duly registered and legally constituted political organisation has the legal right to discharge its political duties. In the May 1990 multiparty general elections, the people overwhelmingly showed their support for the League by electing NLD candidates as their Hluttaw representatives.  Their positions were duly published in the nation's gazette, hence they have been acknowledged as legal Pyithu Hluttaw representatives.

 

2.  As long as the Pyithu Hluttaw is not established, no individual, or group of individuals, or organisation has the right or authority to remove any representative through orchestrated demonstrations or in any way signify or cause the electorate to signify non-support by any means whatsoever whether it be by use of force, intimidation etc. Pyithu Hluttaw representatives cannot on their own volition relinquish their duties except in accordance with law.  Only the Pyithu Hluttaw can expel a Hluttaw representative or grant permission to resign as prescribed by law.

 

3. The orchestration of demonstrations by individuals or organisations signifying non- support or loss of confidence against a legally elected Pyithu Hluttaw representative is against all international norms and practices.  It contravenes the Myanmar Registration of Political Parties law and Pyithu Hluttaw Elections law. It destroys the concept of the rule of law. It is an abuse of authority by the lawmakers who are transgressing the laws they have decreed.

 

4. These are matters that should never happen in a country because it undermines the national character and is counterproductive marking a very dark period in our history. Such activities will do nothing for national reconciliation of for unity among the nationalities. Grave consideration should be given to this fact.

 

5.  Turning its back on the grave repercussions of such activities, the authorities are in the process of employing a group of people to orchestrate such demonstrations against NLD Hluttaw representatives.

 

6.  Present information is that preparations for a demonstration against U Win Myint, Hluttaw parliamentarian elect (Irrawaddy division, Da-nu-byu township, constituency 1)  are being put in place. The number of valid votes received by him at the polls was 20388 (55.57%).

 

7.  Preparations for that shouting demonstration that is being forced upon the people are as follows:-(a) The authorities of the administrative unit of Sa-Ka-Gyi village met with U Soe Win, the Secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and his group on the 2 June 1999 at a site in the vicinity of the administration office. Instructions were given that the USDA members should visit every house in the area to get their signatures to be presented at the staged shouting demonstrations. (b) Information received is that on 3 June, one U Win Ko and his group from Let-swe-kyaung village tract which is within the jurisdiction of Sa-Ka-Gyi participated in this field work. (c) On the same day (3 June, 1999) in the village tract of Taunggyi (Tha-byu administrative unit), U Tin Cho (authority chairman), an executive committee member of the USDO (name unknown) and U Aung Nyunt of National Unity Party (NUP) party were joined by heads of ten house group and one hundred house group in forcing 18 year olds and above to sign prepared forms. (d) On 6 June 1999, all 18 year olds and above were forced to put their signatures to prepared forms in the villages under the jurisdiction of the administrative unit of San-kin by members of the USDO. (e) On 6 June 1999, the villagers residing in the Tha-byu village tract had to assemble in the village library and were threatened to signify their non-support for U Win Myint, Hluttaw representative elect by signing prepared forms. They were warned that non-compliance would result in grave consequences for which they would have themselves to blame.  The organisers of this exercise were U Kyaw Win (authority chairman), U San Aung (USDO member), U Tun Nyunt (one hundred-house leader), U Aye Maung and U Mya Soe. (f) In Tee-kwe village tract which is not part of U Win Myint's electorate, one U Aung Ngwe of the Ta-Sa-Nya party and one Ko Ne Win (USDA leader) collected the household lists and made the villagers assemble at the Buddhist monastery where they were forced to sign prepared forms.

 

8.  The Pyithu Hluttaw Election law contains no provision for such use of excessive authority, of misrepresentation and intimidation to undermine, disparage and extinguish the position of Pyithu Hluttaw members.

 

9.  Organisers, participants and aides and abettors of such lawless activities are contravening provisions of the Penal Code, 1950 Emergency Provisions Act, and Law 5/96.  We vehemently denounce such activities.

 

Committee representing the People's Parliament

Rangoon

28 June 1999.

 

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