ON THE OCCASION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1990
MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRATIC GENERAL ELECTIONS
Committee Representing the People’s Parliament
Statement No 14 (5/00)
Note - Review the CRPP
Statement 33 (5/99)
The multiparty democratic elections were held on the
Ten years is not a short period. Young children will have grown up, attained
knowledge, education, and understanding to a certain degree in this period of
time. They will have learnt to differentiate between right and wrong and the
consequences of dishonoring one's promises.
In the ten years that have passed, two or more parliaments could have been in
session. During that period legally elected representative of the people and
the national ethnic groups could have worked together and achieved a measure of
national unity. The ardent desire of the people (a democratic system) would
have taken root, a measure of prosperity accompanied by better education,
health and social standards would have been achieved.
The military dictatorship system imposed on the people since 1962 with its
constraints and restraints will never be expunged until the results of the
elections is honored and the Pyithu Hluttaw which the
people elected is put in place to work for the people, to fulfill the wishes of
the people and a democratic system is restored. But this Pyithu
Hluttaw has not materialised.
Rust corrodes iron and power corrupts
people. The military dictators have no desire to create a democratic
country which will generate wealth, health and growth for all the people of the
country because they are either so void of good will or are completely engulfed
in evil. They have reneged and broken the Multiparty Democratic Election Law
which they decreed and refuse to convene the Pyithu
Hluttaw. Consequently political, economic, health, education and social
problems are growing larger, deeper and more confusing day by day.
On the subject of elections, the Pyithu Hluttaw
Election Law was promulgated. From the
" xxx We
have demonstrated our desire to transfer power by successfully holding free and
fair multiparty democratic elections as scheduled. If we did not desire to
transfer power there would have been no need to hold these elections. This is
clear xxx''
'' xxxxx
If our desire was to grasp power in our hands till we die (meaning forever)
there is no reason whatsoever for us to endeavor so earnestly like this. From
the very beginning our intention was to transfer power so we made it possible
for the elections to take place. xxxxx"
These are the facts that
followed:-1. Failure to convene parliament as required by the
Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law.
2. In contravention of the Election Law, Order 1/90 was issued. Through
coercion and intimidation signatures of the political parties were obtained.
But the provisions of the said order were not fully complied with.
3. Instead of convening parliament, a national convention was put in place to
define the principles that should be embodied in a constitution. This
convention remains unfinished. The said National Convention's basic principle
which emphasis that "the army is responsible for leading the nation"
is directly opposite that of democracy and shatters the idea of
"multiparty system of democracy".
4. Tasks that must be performed for the benefit of the country (including the
drawing up of the constitution) is the responsibility
of the representatives of the people working together as a body in the Pyithu Hluttaw or delegated by them to a group of experts
on the subject.
5. Though this country is a member of the United Nations, there is no regard or
compliance with the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly, United
Nations Human Rights Commission, International Labour
Organisation. This country behaves as if it is outside the family of nations.
6. The people's genuine desire for democracy is scorned and disregarded.
7. After years of military tyranny where the ugly rule of the gun without
regard to law prevailed, a beam of light was released when the elections were
held. However that light is eclipsed and overshadowed now by increasing
persecution and injustices.
8. The administrators of the
country have shamefully reneged on their promises and the pages of our history
are blemished and ugly.
The military dictators have a duty to conduct themselves with dignity and honor
to the people and convene parliament. But what have they done. They have
vilified and persecuted the people's trusted representatives, illegally thrown
them into prisons, deceitfully incarcerated them and resorted to all manner of
disgraceful, low and mean tactics to suppress them. To redeem themselves and regain
some dignity the military dictators should observe the provisions of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election law, abide by their promises and
put in place a Parliament. We urge them with great feeling and force to take
this step now.
The 1990 elections came about because there was no other way out but to listen
to the cry and great demand of the people for democracy. This is the reason why
a parliament must be put in place to satisfy the people's demand.
No Pyithu Hluttaw means denying the people of their
one desire. The longer this desire is denied, the greater will the desire grow
and consequences can be formidable. Thousands of monks, laymen, students and
the masses individually took responsibility and made sacrifices for the 1990
elections to eventuate. The result of that election will never be forfeited. No
new election will be accepted. This is our solemn declaration.
Committee representing the People's Parliament
27 May 2000
--------------------------
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)