Burma’s election this year is now widely regarded domestically and internationally as a means to institutionalize the military’s grip on power under the 2008 Constitution, rather than establishing a democratic system in the country.
It is a widespread belief among the democratic opposition, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), which for 20 years has been attempting to shift the military away from politics and to concentrate on its primary responsibility of “national defense and security.”
The unequivocal denial of Snr-Gen Than Shwe to review the Constitution before the election, as demanded by the NLD, has finally ended the NLD’s long quest to achieve a political dialogue between the junta leader and Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the party which won a landslide victory in the 1990 election but the results of which were never recognized by the junta.
More here in Irrawaddy
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Burma's New Election Law Condemned
RANGOON— A decision by Burma's military junta to bar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from upcoming elections drew sharp criticism from around the world, with one of the country's Southeast Asian neighbors Thursday calling it "a complete farce."
A new election law announced Wednesday prohibits anyone convicted of a crime — as Suu Kyi was in August — from being a member of a political party. That makes the detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate ineligible to become a candidate in elections scheduled for some time later this year.
Another law published Thursday in state-owned newspapers formally invalidated the country's last elections, held 20 years ago. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in those polls, but the junta ignored the results and has kept Suu Kyi jailed or under house arrest for 14 years since then.
More here in Irrawaddy
A new election law announced Wednesday prohibits anyone convicted of a crime — as Suu Kyi was in August — from being a member of a political party. That makes the detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate ineligible to become a candidate in elections scheduled for some time later this year.
Another law published Thursday in state-owned newspapers formally invalidated the country's last elections, held 20 years ago. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in those polls, but the junta ignored the results and has kept Suu Kyi jailed or under house arrest for 14 years since then.
More here in Irrawaddy
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Boycott Burma's 2010 Elections!
InterVIEWS by Gina Dizon
and KNGY
The 2010 elections will neither resolve the political crisis nor will it lead to national reconciliation and democracy. - Min Bone Kyew, Secretary General, Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) and Secretary General, National Democratic Front (NDF)
The National Democratic Front (NDF) composed of Arakan Liberation Party( ALP), Chin National Front (CNF), Karen National Union (KNU), Lahu Democratic Union ( LDU), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-o National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Palaung State Liberation Front( PSLF) and the Wa National Organization (WNO) reaffirm their statement calling for the boycott of the 2010 elections.
The NDF boycotts the 2010 elections because the 2008 Constitution was adopted by force in order to perpetuate military dictatorship. People have no liberties to exercise their political and social rights. It provides no democracy and there is no guarantee for ethnic rights. There is no freedom of expression and no freedom to organize political parties. The 2008 Constitution gives possession and control of natural resources to the State. It provides for excessive centralization of power instead of providing federal rights in Member States. The 2008 Constitution perpetuates the rule of military dictatorship. The Military government controls the power through the National Security Council which can usurp power from the government anytime.
We see therefore the 2008 Constitution as un-acceptable. We propose instead a Federal constitution.
We call then for a dialogue with the SPDC government to address issues of the 2008 Constitution including release of political prisoners. If it takes a dialogue to talk about our proposal for a federal government, then a dialogue is in order.
We are promoting our calls through the media to the NLD and to ethnic parties. People continue the call for democracy in Burma following the 2004 arrest of Khu Too Oo chairperson of Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD) sentenced for 96 years; and Sai Nyew Lwe, secretary of SNLD sentenced for 80 years.
We ask the international community including the UN, ASEAN, EU to apply more effective pressure upon the SPDC through dialogue and negotiation. We urge the international community to call on SPDC to cease its acts against ethnic nationalities, impose UN arms embargo, block capital investments, impose sanctions, and call on SPDC to hold an inclusive political dialogue for national reconciliation.
(NDF on Border Guard Force: “The position of the main ceasefire organizations, rejecting the SPDC’s proposal to transform their armies into Border Guard Force, is the same as our (NDF) position on the matter.”-Re-affirmed NDF Statement)
***
If there is no release of political prisoners and no review of the Constitution, NLD will boyc
ott the 2010 elections. - Khun Myint Tun, Labor Minister, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB); member of Parliament, Thaton Constituency, National League of Democracy; Member of Secretariat, National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB).
National League of Democracy (NLD) leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyii rightly stated “ holding a new election without recognizing the 1990 election results is like playing a dangerous game with the country’s future. That is why we cannot accept a new election”
The NLD won 82% of seats in Parliament during the 1990 elections but their legitimacy was not recognized with the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. State Law and Order restoration Council (SLORC) did not convene the Parliament 60 days after the elections. The NLD then met two months after the 1990 elections and passed the Ghandhi Declaration calling for the transfer of power to the NLD as the winning party and convening of the Parliament. In response, the junta issued State Order 1/90 stating that SLORC has the right to exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers. The State Order also called for the elected Representatives to draft the Constitution and People’s Assembly to be convened. But the SPDC did not convene the Parliament till now.
Recently in April, 2009, the NLD issued the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration which demands release of all political prisoners, review of the 2008 Constitution, and a dialogue. The dialogue calls for the recognition of the 1990 elections and transfer power to the elected members of Parliament. The minimum that we demand from SPDC is to review and amend the 2008 Constitution.
Calls for a dialogue and release political prisoners had been on- going since the 1988 Uprising. Yet, the SPDC never granted a dialogue up to now despite repeated requests. It is obvious that they want to continue their own military rule. In November 11, 2009, NLD sent to General than Shwe reiterating the calls of the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration. Up to now, we did not get a response. Last January 4 on Burma’s Independence Day, General than Than Shwe declared that the SPDC government will continue their military roadmap.
We want to change the system but the SPDC does not want. We want to call for a dialogue for a democratic Burma and ethnic recognition, but the SPDC does not want.
The international community’s help is needed. A recent symposium in Japan in November 23, 2009 on the “Shwe Gon Daing Declaration; Gateway to National Reconciliation on the Union of Burma”, attended by some Japanese Government officials, called for a dialogue with the SPDC government.
The NCGUB on its National Reconciliation Program also sent their intentions to the UN calling for meaningful dialogue to happen with the military regime.
We call on the international community not to recognize the 2010 elections if meaningful dialogue is not granted.
At the same time, we are calling for legal action against the SPDC in the US Federal Court and UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC). Military abuses of persons in power are separately dealt with from the call for meaningful dialogue from the SPDC as the ruling go
vernment.
The people in Burma are also getting more enlightened on their rights, and what the 2008 Constitution is as compared to our envisioned Federal Constitution.
***
The 2010 elections is not the solution for a democratic change in Burma.- Khin Ohmar, Chairperson, Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), Foreign Affairs Secretary, Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB); Coordinator, Burma Partnership.
It is up to us, the people of Burma to come together and work for a common cause. We see ethnic nationalities with people from mainstream Burma coming together. We have diverse youth members from the Students Youth of Burma (SCYB), Nationalities Youth Forum (NYF) and the Women’s League of Burma (WLB). We have members from different parts of Burma joining in the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB); and other networks joining in the call for a principled boycott of the 2010 elections.
If all people combine efforts, we keep the same energy and pace. We continue to cherish and praise diversity.
This overarching issue of democratic rights places a challenge to ethnic identity. I take this struggle for ethnic identity as a normal cause because there is a need for it by the ethnic population. That they should be safe as they have suffered for so long. It is important for people to have that right of self identity. Identity to who they are and to where they belong. But not to confine ourselves in our own ethnic identities. If we confine ourselves to our own particular group and not open up to other groups, then our vision can become limited.
If we see this holistic picture of Burma and if we have a wider perspective, we can see this as a challenge. If, to reach out is the objective of the Federal Union, we step out of our ethnic identities then we can be able to see a common ground among the diversities. It is still a challenge to work and overcome differences to build mutual trust among each other.
We continue to keep fighting. I should be able to do the most that I can for those in prison who fought for democracy in our country. I think of the hope and keep up the struggle if it is the right call for life.
(FDB is a member of the Movement for Democracy and Rights of Ethnic Nationalities composed of 10 alliances including NYF, SCYB, WLB, NCGUB, MPU, NLD-LA, NDF, DAB, and NCUB. Together, the Movement sees the 2010 elections , under the rule of the military’s 2008 constitution will not only fail to address the root cause of Burma’s crisis but will in fact further entrench military rule sowing the seeds for further instability and armed conflict. The Movement then calls for (1) the release of all political prisoners, (2) cessation of all hostilities against ethnic groups and pro-democracy forces, and (3) inclusive dialogue with key stakeholders from democracy groups and ethnic nationalities including a review of the 2008 Constitution. The Movement sees the 2008 Constitution systematically entrenches injustice that will prolong conflict and instability in ethnically diverse Burma.)
***
We call for the boycott of the 2010 elections and oppose the 2008 Constitution which provides for the legitimacy of the Generals to stay in power.- Naw San, Secretary General, Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB)
The SYCB oppose the 2010 elections because the 2008 Constitution which shall be adopted by the Parliament after the 2010 elections, is not democratic and does not grant equality rights for ethnic minorities of Burma.
Also, the election is not inclusive. There is no freedom to organize among political parties. What we see clearly is that there are no political parties joining the election. The National League of Democracy (NLD) is rethinking their position if they will join or not dependent on the following conditions adopted in the Shwe Gon Daing Manifestion in April 29, 2009. These are (1) Release of political prisoners, (2) Review 2008 Constitution and (3) Free and fair elections. If these are not granted, NLD will oppose the 2010 elections. But am sure the regime will not release the political prisoners and they will not review 2008 Constitution.
The SPDC might invite UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and project that elections is the step for democratic change which may lead international leaders to support SPDC. But, we have to look back at the past and take note that the root cause of the problems of Burma is rooted in a Constitution which does not provide democratic rights and equality rights for ethnic minorities. This is noted in the 1974 Constitution and now in the 2008 Constitution. We are slaves to the regime forever if the Constitution will not be changed.
We call for the boycott of the 2010 elections and oppose the 2008 Constitution which provides for the legitimacy of the Generals to stay in power.The Generals want to be ensured of their businesses and their repressive power on the lives of the people.
To boycott the 2010 elections, youth are actively campaigning against the 2010 elections in Burma. They spray the walls in the main cities calling for boycotting the 2010 elections. In the country sides, the youth are active doing education and organizing activities particularly in Shan and Arakan States.
The movement for change and the need for democratic change are felt more so after the Saffron Revolution in 2007. In 2007, there are some 1000 political prisoners. Now, there are 2100 political prisoners.
Even among the military group, unrest is growing. This is very visible on the house arrest of General Khin Nyunt. Police also want increase of salary.
Since the 2008 Constitution is unacceptable, SYCB calls for a Federal Constitution which basically enshrines a democratic Burma and equality rights for ethnic minorities.
SYCB together with the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), National Youth Forum (NYF), FDB (Forum Democratic Burma), National Democratic Front (NDF), DAB ( Democratic Alliance of Burma), MPU (Member Parliament Union) and NCGUB re-affirm a statement calling for the boycott of the 2010 elections.
***
KNGY enjoins the international community not to support the 2010 elections as it does not lead to meaningful democratic change in Burma.-Khun Francis, Foreign Affairs Office, Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY)
In behalf of KNGY, I don’t support the 2010 elections because there is no guarantee for ethnic people’s rights in the 2008 Constitution which is to be adopted by the winning party. The 2008 Constitution has many weak points for people’s democratic rights. The military is ensured of 25% legislative seats in Government. This makes the military government ensured of its power.
The 2008 Constitution requires that the President should have military experience. Anyone should be qualified to run as President provided he is capable to run the country but not necessarily to place military experience as a qualification for one becoming President of the country.
Also, ethnic peoples are the ones who know what they need so they should have the right to have their own State Constitution and draft their own laws within the context of Federal Union of Burma.
KNGY joins other ethnic groups and political democracy groups to keep on working for democratic rights and gain Federal rights for ethnic peoples.
***
KWYO calls for the review of the 2008 Constitution. That there shall be women’s rights i
ncluded in the Constitution as to equality on employment, education, and participation in politics.-
Mu Iris, Chairperson, Kayan Youth Women’s Organization (KYWO)
KYWO does not accept the 2010 elections because it will be conducted in the same way as how the 2008 Referendum was done. Besides, the 2008 Constitution does not provide for ethnic rights and rights for women.
Because of this, KYWO will be conducting media campaigns to call for non-participation in the 2010 elections. Education about the 2008 Constitution among women in the Kayan Region shall be done also.
We especially call for women representatives in legislative seats in government because the present patriarchal culture makes it difficult for women to get into political leadership.
***
I want the government to have peaceful dialogue with the people on their concerns. But if the SPDC will be violent, I will join the armed group to fight the SPDC.-
Khun Petpot, Migrant Worker
I am against the 2010 elections. Just like the 2008 Referendum done under fraudulent and coercive conditions, the 2010 elections will also be done in the same manner.
Most people in the ethnic regions say they don’t want to join the 2010 elections but they can’t go against it because they are afraid if the SPDC will hurt them.
Nonetheless, people are getting organized and know more about the political situation in Burma, and learning what the 2008 Constitution is all about in comparison to the Federal Constitution.
LINKS
Northern Philippine Times
Burma Partnership
Burma Democratic Concern
Northern Philippine Times
All Voices
Photo credits here
and here
here
and KNGY
The 2010 elections will neither resolve the political crisis nor will it lead to national reconciliation and democracy. - Min Bone Kyew, Secretary General, Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) and Secretary General, National Democratic Front (NDF)
The National Democratic Front (NDF) composed of Arakan Liberation Party( ALP), Chin National Front (CNF), Karen National Union (KNU), Lahu Democratic Union ( LDU), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-o National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Palaung State Liberation Front( PSLF) and the Wa National Organization (WNO) reaffirm their statement calling for the boycott of the 2010 elections.
The NDF boycotts the 2010 elections because the 2008 Constitution was adopted by force in order to perpetuate military dictatorship. People have no liberties to exercise their political and social rights. It provides no democracy and there is no guarantee for ethnic rights. There is no freedom of expression and no freedom to organize political parties. The 2008 Constitution gives possession and control of natural resources to the State. It provides for excessive centralization of power instead of providing federal rights in Member States. The 2008 Constitution perpetuates the rule of military dictatorship. The Military government controls the power through the National Security Council which can usurp power from the government anytime.
We see therefore the 2008 Constitution as un-acceptable. We propose instead a Federal constitution.
We call then for a dialogue with the SPDC government to address issues of the 2008 Constitution including release of political prisoners. If it takes a dialogue to talk about our proposal for a federal government, then a dialogue is in order.
We are promoting our calls through the media to the NLD and to ethnic parties. People continue the call for democracy in Burma following the 2004 arrest of Khu Too Oo chairperson of Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD) sentenced for 96 years; and Sai Nyew Lwe, secretary of SNLD sentenced for 80 years.
We ask the international community including the UN, ASEAN, EU to apply more effective pressure upon the SPDC through dialogue and negotiation. We urge the international community to call on SPDC to cease its acts against ethnic nationalities, impose UN arms embargo, block capital investments, impose sanctions, and call on SPDC to hold an inclusive political dialogue for national reconciliation.
(NDF on Border Guard Force: “The position of the main ceasefire organizations, rejecting the SPDC’s proposal to transform their armies into Border Guard Force, is the same as our (NDF) position on the matter.”-Re-affirmed NDF Statement)
***
If there is no release of political prisoners and no review of the Constitution, NLD will boyc
ott the 2010 elections. - Khun Myint Tun, Labor Minister, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB); member of Parliament, Thaton Constituency, National League of Democracy; Member of Secretariat, National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB).National League of Democracy (NLD) leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyii rightly stated “ holding a new election without recognizing the 1990 election results is like playing a dangerous game with the country’s future. That is why we cannot accept a new election”
The NLD won 82% of seats in Parliament during the 1990 elections but their legitimacy was not recognized with the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. State Law and Order restoration Council (SLORC) did not convene the Parliament 60 days after the elections. The NLD then met two months after the 1990 elections and passed the Ghandhi Declaration calling for the transfer of power to the NLD as the winning party and convening of the Parliament. In response, the junta issued State Order 1/90 stating that SLORC has the right to exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers. The State Order also called for the elected Representatives to draft the Constitution and People’s Assembly to be convened. But the SPDC did not convene the Parliament till now.
Recently in April, 2009, the NLD issued the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration which demands release of all political prisoners, review of the 2008 Constitution, and a dialogue. The dialogue calls for the recognition of the 1990 elections and transfer power to the elected members of Parliament. The minimum that we demand from SPDC is to review and amend the 2008 Constitution.
Calls for a dialogue and release political prisoners had been on- going since the 1988 Uprising. Yet, the SPDC never granted a dialogue up to now despite repeated requests. It is obvious that they want to continue their own military rule. In November 11, 2009, NLD sent to General than Shwe reiterating the calls of the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration. Up to now, we did not get a response. Last January 4 on Burma’s Independence Day, General than Than Shwe declared that the SPDC government will continue their military roadmap.
We want to change the system but the SPDC does not want. We want to call for a dialogue for a democratic Burma and ethnic recognition, but the SPDC does not want.
The international community’s help is needed. A recent symposium in Japan in November 23, 2009 on the “Shwe Gon Daing Declaration; Gateway to National Reconciliation on the Union of Burma”, attended by some Japanese Government officials, called for a dialogue with the SPDC government.
The NCGUB on its National Reconciliation Program also sent their intentions to the UN calling for meaningful dialogue to happen with the military regime.
We call on the international community not to recognize the 2010 elections if meaningful dialogue is not granted.
At the same time, we are calling for legal action against the SPDC in the US Federal Court and UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC). Military abuses of persons in power are separately dealt with from the call for meaningful dialogue from the SPDC as the ruling go
vernment.The people in Burma are also getting more enlightened on their rights, and what the 2008 Constitution is as compared to our envisioned Federal Constitution.
***
The 2010 elections is not the solution for a democratic change in Burma.- Khin Ohmar, Chairperson, Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), Foreign Affairs Secretary, Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB); Coordinator, Burma Partnership.
It is up to us, the people of Burma to come together and work for a common cause. We see ethnic nationalities with people from mainstream Burma coming together. We have diverse youth members from the Students Youth of Burma (SCYB), Nationalities Youth Forum (NYF) and the Women’s League of Burma (WLB). We have members from different parts of Burma joining in the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB); and other networks joining in the call for a principled boycott of the 2010 elections.
If all people combine efforts, we keep the same energy and pace. We continue to cherish and praise diversity.
This overarching issue of democratic rights places a challenge to ethnic identity. I take this struggle for ethnic identity as a normal cause because there is a need for it by the ethnic population. That they should be safe as they have suffered for so long. It is important for people to have that right of self identity. Identity to who they are and to where they belong. But not to confine ourselves in our own ethnic identities. If we confine ourselves to our own particular group and not open up to other groups, then our vision can become limited.
If we see this holistic picture of Burma and if we have a wider perspective, we can see this as a challenge. If, to reach out is the objective of the Federal Union, we step out of our ethnic identities then we can be able to see a common ground among the diversities. It is still a challenge to work and overcome differences to build mutual trust among each other.
We continue to keep fighting. I should be able to do the most that I can for those in prison who fought for democracy in our country. I think of the hope and keep up the struggle if it is the right call for life.
(FDB is a member of the Movement for Democracy and Rights of Ethnic Nationalities composed of 10 alliances including NYF, SCYB, WLB, NCGUB, MPU, NLD-LA, NDF, DAB, and NCUB. Together, the Movement sees the 2010 elections , under the rule of the military’s 2008 constitution will not only fail to address the root cause of Burma’s crisis but will in fact further entrench military rule sowing the seeds for further instability and armed conflict. The Movement then calls for (1) the release of all political prisoners, (2) cessation of all hostilities against ethnic groups and pro-democracy forces, and (3) inclusive dialogue with key stakeholders from democracy groups and ethnic nationalities including a review of the 2008 Constitution. The Movement sees the 2008 Constitution systematically entrenches injustice that will prolong conflict and instability in ethnically diverse Burma.)
***
We call for the boycott of the 2010 elections and oppose the 2008 Constitution which provides for the legitimacy of the Generals to stay in power.- Naw San, Secretary General, Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB) The SYCB oppose the 2010 elections because the 2008 Constitution which shall be adopted by the Parliament after the 2010 elections, is not democratic and does not grant equality rights for ethnic minorities of Burma.
Also, the election is not inclusive. There is no freedom to organize among political parties. What we see clearly is that there are no political parties joining the election. The National League of Democracy (NLD) is rethinking their position if they will join or not dependent on the following conditions adopted in the Shwe Gon Daing Manifestion in April 29, 2009. These are (1) Release of political prisoners, (2) Review 2008 Constitution and (3) Free and fair elections. If these are not granted, NLD will oppose the 2010 elections. But am sure the regime will not release the political prisoners and they will not review 2008 Constitution.
The SPDC might invite UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and project that elections is the step for democratic change which may lead international leaders to support SPDC. But, we have to look back at the past and take note that the root cause of the problems of Burma is rooted in a Constitution which does not provide democratic rights and equality rights for ethnic minorities. This is noted in the 1974 Constitution and now in the 2008 Constitution. We are slaves to the regime forever if the Constitution will not be changed.
We call for the boycott of the 2010 elections and oppose the 2008 Constitution which provides for the legitimacy of the Generals to stay in power.The Generals want to be ensured of their businesses and their repressive power on the lives of the people.
To boycott the 2010 elections, youth are actively campaigning against the 2010 elections in Burma. They spray the walls in the main cities calling for boycotting the 2010 elections. In the country sides, the youth are active doing education and organizing activities particularly in Shan and Arakan States.
The movement for change and the need for democratic change are felt more so after the Saffron Revolution in 2007. In 2007, there are some 1000 political prisoners. Now, there are 2100 political prisoners.
Even among the military group, unrest is growing. This is very visible on the house arrest of General Khin Nyunt. Police also want increase of salary.
Since the 2008 Constitution is unacceptable, SYCB calls for a Federal Constitution which basically enshrines a democratic Burma and equality rights for ethnic minorities.
SYCB together with the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), National Youth Forum (NYF), FDB (Forum Democratic Burma), National Democratic Front (NDF), DAB ( Democratic Alliance of Burma), MPU (Member Parliament Union) and NCGUB re-affirm a statement calling for the boycott of the 2010 elections.
***
KNGY enjoins the international community not to support the 2010 elections as it does not lead to meaningful democratic change in Burma.-Khun Francis, Foreign Affairs Office, Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY) In behalf of KNGY, I don’t support the 2010 elections because there is no guarantee for ethnic people’s rights in the 2008 Constitution which is to be adopted by the winning party. The 2008 Constitution has many weak points for people’s democratic rights. The military is ensured of 25% legislative seats in Government. This makes the military government ensured of its power.
The 2008 Constitution requires that the President should have military experience. Anyone should be qualified to run as President provided he is capable to run the country but not necessarily to place military experience as a qualification for one becoming President of the country.
Also, ethnic peoples are the ones who know what they need so they should have the right to have their own State Constitution and draft their own laws within the context of Federal Union of Burma.
KNGY joins other ethnic groups and political democracy groups to keep on working for democratic rights and gain Federal rights for ethnic peoples.
***
KWYO calls for the review of the 2008 Constitution. That there shall be women’s rights i
ncluded in the Constitution as to equality on employment, education, and participation in politics.-Mu Iris, Chairperson, Kayan Youth Women’s Organization (KYWO)
KYWO does not accept the 2010 elections because it will be conducted in the same way as how the 2008 Referendum was done. Besides, the 2008 Constitution does not provide for ethnic rights and rights for women.
Because of this, KYWO will be conducting media campaigns to call for non-participation in the 2010 elections. Education about the 2008 Constitution among women in the Kayan Region shall be done also.
We especially call for women representatives in legislative seats in government because the present patriarchal culture makes it difficult for women to get into political leadership.
***
I want the government to have peaceful dialogue with the people on their concerns. But if the SPDC will be violent, I will join the armed group to fight the SPDC.-
Khun Petpot, Migrant Worker
I am against the 2010 elections. Just like the 2008 Referendum done under fraudulent and coercive conditions, the 2010 elections will also be done in the same manner.
Most people in the ethnic regions say they don’t want to join the 2010 elections but they can’t go against it because they are afraid if the SPDC will hurt them.
Nonetheless, people are getting organized and know more about the political situation in Burma, and learning what the 2008 Constitution is all about in comparison to the Federal Constitution.
LINKS
Northern Philippine Times
Burma Partnership
Burma Democratic Concern
Northern Philippine Times
All Voices
Photo credits here
and here
here
Sunday, February 28, 2010
2010 elections 'unacceptable', Burmese activists call Junta for dialogue
(Part 11)
By Gina Dizon
THAILAND- Burmese revolutionaries and activists say the 2010 elections is not the answer for a democratic change in Burma, nor will it lead to national reconciliation. Instead, they ask for a dialogue with the junta-led State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for a review of the 2008 Constitution, release of all political prisoners, and recognition of the 1990 elections.
Khun Myint Tun (in photo), Labor Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) of the National League of Democracy (NLD) considers the 2010 elections as 'unacceptable' with the non-recognition of the 1990 election winners. He agrees with NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who stated, “Holding a new election without recognizing the 1990 election results is like playing a dangerous game with the country’s future. That is why we cannot accept a new election.”
The transfer of power to the Members of Parliament who won the 1990 elections is a top demand of the NCGUB.
The NLD won 82% of seats in Parliament during the 1990 elections but their legitimacy was not recognized with the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. State Law and Order restoration Council (SLORC) then did not convene the Parliament 60 days after the elections. The NLD then met two months after the 1990 elections and passed the Ghandhi Declaration calling for the transfer of power to the NLD as the winning party and convening of the Parliament.
Yet, Khun Myint Tun who is also Member of Secretariat of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) says, “The SPDC never granted a dialogue up to now despite repeated requests. It is obvious that they want to continue their own military rule. In November 11, 2009, NLD reminded General Than Shwe on the calls of the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration. Up to now, we did not get a response”, he said.
NLD issued the Shwe Gon Doing Declaration in April 1009 which demands release of all political prisoners, review of the 2008 Constitution, and a dialogue. The dialogue calls for the recognition of the 1990 elections and transfer of power to the elected members of Parliament.
“The minimum that we demand from SPDC is to review and amend the 2008 Constitution. But if there is no release of political prisoners and no review of the Constitution, NLD will boycott the 2010 elections”, Khun Myint Tun said.
Release of all political prisoners is a top demand of the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration.
In 2007, there were only a thousand plus political prisoners. Now, there are 2200 political prisoners. “This means, the democratic movement is growing and the people are restless yet hopeful”, Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SCYCB) General Secretary Naw San said.
The Burmese militants and activists are one in saying the democratic movement inside Burma is increasing with more people getting informed and enlightened of their rights.
Democratic activists call for international support “not to support the 2010 elections if meaningful dialogue is not granted”.
National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesperson and Secretary General Min Bone Kyew said, "We ask the international community including the UN, ASEAN and the European Union to apply more effective pressure upon the SPDC. We urge the international community to ask the SPDC to cease its acts against ethnic nationalities, impose UN arms embargo, block capital investments, impose sanctions, and call on SPDC to hold an inclusive political dialogue for national reconciliation.”
“At the same time, we are calling for legal action against the SPDC in the US Federal Court and UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC). Military abuses of persons in power are separately dealt with from the call for meaningful dialogue from the SPDC”, Khun Myint said.
Northern Philippine Times
Burma Partnership
Burma Democratic Concern
All Voices
By Gina Dizon
THAILAND- Burmese revolutionaries and activists say the 2010 elections is not the answer for a democratic change in Burma, nor will it lead to national reconciliation. Instead, they ask for a dialogue with the junta-led State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for a review of the 2008 Constitution, release of all political prisoners, and recognition of the 1990 elections.
Khun Myint Tun (in photo), Labor Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) of the National League of Democracy (NLD) considers the 2010 elections as 'unacceptable' with the non-recognition of the 1990 election winners. He agrees with NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who stated, “Holding a new election without recognizing the 1990 election results is like playing a dangerous game with the country’s future. That is why we cannot accept a new election.”
The transfer of power to the Members of Parliament who won the 1990 elections is a top demand of the NCGUB.
The NLD won 82% of seats in Parliament during the 1990 elections but their legitimacy was not recognized with the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. State Law and Order restoration Council (SLORC) then did not convene the Parliament 60 days after the elections. The NLD then met two months after the 1990 elections and passed the Ghandhi Declaration calling for the transfer of power to the NLD as the winning party and convening of the Parliament.
Yet, Khun Myint Tun who is also Member of Secretariat of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) says, “The SPDC never granted a dialogue up to now despite repeated requests. It is obvious that they want to continue their own military rule. In November 11, 2009, NLD reminded General Than Shwe on the calls of the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration. Up to now, we did not get a response”, he said.
NLD issued the Shwe Gon Doing Declaration in April 1009 which demands release of all political prisoners, review of the 2008 Constitution, and a dialogue. The dialogue calls for the recognition of the 1990 elections and transfer of power to the elected members of Parliament.
“The minimum that we demand from SPDC is to review and amend the 2008 Constitution. But if there is no release of political prisoners and no review of the Constitution, NLD will boycott the 2010 elections”, Khun Myint Tun said.
Release of all political prisoners is a top demand of the Shwe Gon Daing Declaration.
In 2007, there were only a thousand plus political prisoners. Now, there are 2200 political prisoners. “This means, the democratic movement is growing and the people are restless yet hopeful”, Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SCYCB) General Secretary Naw San said.
The Burmese militants and activists are one in saying the democratic movement inside Burma is increasing with more people getting informed and enlightened of their rights.
Democratic activists call for international support “not to support the 2010 elections if meaningful dialogue is not granted”.
National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesperson and Secretary General Min Bone Kyew said, "We ask the international community including the UN, ASEAN and the European Union to apply more effective pressure upon the SPDC. We urge the international community to ask the SPDC to cease its acts against ethnic nationalities, impose UN arms embargo, block capital investments, impose sanctions, and call on SPDC to hold an inclusive political dialogue for national reconciliation.”
“At the same time, we are calling for legal action against the SPDC in the US Federal Court and UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC). Military abuses of persons in power are separately dealt with from the call for meaningful dialogue from the SPDC”, Khun Myint said.
Northern Philippine Times
Burma Partnership
Burma Democratic Concern
All Voices
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Burmese activists call for dialogue with the Junta
(Part 1)
By Gina Dizon
THAILAND - Burmese revolutionaries and activists are saying a common statement on the country’s 2010 elections. They are boycotting the 2010 elections. The common sentiment is that 2010 elections is not the answer for a democratic change in Burma, nor will it lead to national reconciliation. Instead, they want a dialogue with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for a review of the 2008 Constitution, release of all political prisoners, and recognition of the 1990 elections.
National Democratic Front (NDF) Secretary General Min Bone Kyew who also sits as Secretary General of Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) said, “The 2008 Constitution perpetuates the rule of military dictatorship.”
The 2008 Constitution approved in the May 2008 Referendum conducted under reported incidents of fraud, ensures 25% legislative seats reserved for personnel of the Defense Services as nominated by the Commander in Chief of the Defense Services. The 2008 Constitution provides for authoritarian military supremacy headed by the Commander in Chief who supervises the Security Council. There are four ministries directly under the Commander in Chief -National Security, Minister of Border Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, and the Minister of Defense.
The 2008 Constitution shall be adopted by the winning party in the 2010 elections.
Secretary General Naw San of the Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB) says, “The 2008 Constitution provides for the legitimacy of the Generals to stay in power. The Generals want to be ensured of their businesses and their repressive power on the lives of the people.”
With their intention to keep the military junta in power, the SPDC is also trying to get the ethnic armed forces to the Border Guard Force (BGF). Reports however say the ceasefire groups are rejecting the call of the government. This include the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) while no agreement has been reached yet between the United Wa State Army’ (UWSA) and the junta.
As part of the re-affirmed NDF statement calling for a boycott on the 2010 elections, NDF says, “The position of the main ceasefire organizations, rejecting the SPDC’s proposal to transform their armies into Border Guard Force, is the same as our (NDF) position on the matter.”
Democratic activists also call for ethnic rights and equality in the Burma Constitution.
Considering the 2008 Constitution as “ un-acceptable”, Min Bone Kyew said, “The 2008 Constitution provides no ethnic rights.”
Burma is currently made up of seven divisions and seven ethnic states namely Kayah, Mon, Kachin, Chin, Shan, Rachine, and Kayin under a junta government.
Foreign Affairs Officer Khun Francis of Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY) adds, “Ethnic peoples are the ones who know what they need so they should have the right to have their own State Constitution and draft their own laws within the context of Federal Union of Burma.”
Min Bone Kyew, Khun Francis and Naw San envision a Federal Constitution for the Union of Burma.
The envisioned Federal Constitution drafted by the Federal Constitution Drafting Committee (FCDC) reached its second draft in October 2008. It provides for Member States to formulate their own Constitution. Each independent Member State though shall exist in harmony with the Union of Burma through the principle of power sharing.
The FCDC is composed of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), National Council of Union of Burma (NCUB), National Democratic Front (NDF), and United Nationalities League for Democracy Liberated Areas (UNLD-LA), WLB, NY-Forum and SYCB.
The struggle for ethnic identity is seen by Khin Ohmar, Chairperson, Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), as a “normal cause because there is a need for it by the ethnic population. It is important for them to have that right of self identity- to who they are and to where they belong. This overarching issue of democratic rights places a challenge to ethnic identity. If we see this holistic picture of Burma and if we have a wider perspective, we can see this as a challenge to build mutual trust among each other”, Ohmar who also sits as Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB), said.
FDB is a member of the Movement for Democracy and Rights of Ethnic Nationalities composed of 10 alliances including NYF, SCYB, WLB, NCGUB, MPU (Members of Parliament Union), NLD-LA, NDF, DAB ( Democratic Alliance of Burma), and NCUB.
Together, the Movement sees the 2010 elections , under the rule of the military’s 2008 constitution will not only fail to address the root cause of Burma’s crisis but will in fact further entrench military rule sowing the seeds for further instability and armed conflict. The Movement sees the 2008 Constitution “systematically entrenches injustice that will prolong conflict and instability in ethnically diverse Burma.”
Source: Northern Philippine Times
Link Burma Partnership
By Gina Dizon
THAILAND - Burmese revolutionaries and activists are saying a common statement on the country’s 2010 elections. They are boycotting the 2010 elections. The common sentiment is that 2010 elections is not the answer for a democratic change in Burma, nor will it lead to national reconciliation. Instead, they want a dialogue with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for a review of the 2008 Constitution, release of all political prisoners, and recognition of the 1990 elections.
National Democratic Front (NDF) Secretary General Min Bone Kyew who also sits as Secretary General of Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) said, “The 2008 Constitution perpetuates the rule of military dictatorship.”
The 2008 Constitution approved in the May 2008 Referendum conducted under reported incidents of fraud, ensures 25% legislative seats reserved for personnel of the Defense Services as nominated by the Commander in Chief of the Defense Services. The 2008 Constitution provides for authoritarian military supremacy headed by the Commander in Chief who supervises the Security Council. There are four ministries directly under the Commander in Chief -National Security, Minister of Border Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, and the Minister of Defense.
The 2008 Constitution shall be adopted by the winning party in the 2010 elections.
Secretary General Naw San of the Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB) says, “The 2008 Constitution provides for the legitimacy of the Generals to stay in power. The Generals want to be ensured of their businesses and their repressive power on the lives of the people.”
With their intention to keep the military junta in power, the SPDC is also trying to get the ethnic armed forces to the Border Guard Force (BGF). Reports however say the ceasefire groups are rejecting the call of the government. This include the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) while no agreement has been reached yet between the United Wa State Army’ (UWSA) and the junta.
As part of the re-affirmed NDF statement calling for a boycott on the 2010 elections, NDF says, “The position of the main ceasefire organizations, rejecting the SPDC’s proposal to transform their armies into Border Guard Force, is the same as our (NDF) position on the matter.”
Democratic activists also call for ethnic rights and equality in the Burma Constitution.
Considering the 2008 Constitution as “ un-acceptable”, Min Bone Kyew said, “The 2008 Constitution provides no ethnic rights.”
Burma is currently made up of seven divisions and seven ethnic states namely Kayah, Mon, Kachin, Chin, Shan, Rachine, and Kayin under a junta government.
Foreign Affairs Officer Khun Francis of Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY) adds, “Ethnic peoples are the ones who know what they need so they should have the right to have their own State Constitution and draft their own laws within the context of Federal Union of Burma.”
Min Bone Kyew, Khun Francis and Naw San envision a Federal Constitution for the Union of Burma.
The envisioned Federal Constitution drafted by the Federal Constitution Drafting Committee (FCDC) reached its second draft in October 2008. It provides for Member States to formulate their own Constitution. Each independent Member State though shall exist in harmony with the Union of Burma through the principle of power sharing.
The FCDC is composed of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), National Council of Union of Burma (NCUB), National Democratic Front (NDF), and United Nationalities League for Democracy Liberated Areas (UNLD-LA), WLB, NY-Forum and SYCB.
The struggle for ethnic identity is seen by Khin Ohmar, Chairperson, Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), as a “normal cause because there is a need for it by the ethnic population. It is important for them to have that right of self identity- to who they are and to where they belong. This overarching issue of democratic rights places a challenge to ethnic identity. If we see this holistic picture of Burma and if we have a wider perspective, we can see this as a challenge to build mutual trust among each other”, Ohmar who also sits as Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB), said.
FDB is a member of the Movement for Democracy and Rights of Ethnic Nationalities composed of 10 alliances including NYF, SCYB, WLB, NCGUB, MPU (Members of Parliament Union), NLD-LA, NDF, DAB ( Democratic Alliance of Burma), and NCUB.
Together, the Movement sees the 2010 elections , under the rule of the military’s 2008 constitution will not only fail to address the root cause of Burma’s crisis but will in fact further entrench military rule sowing the seeds for further instability and armed conflict. The Movement sees the 2008 Constitution “systematically entrenches injustice that will prolong conflict and instability in ethnically diverse Burma.”
Source: Northern Philippine Times
Link Burma Partnership
Monday, February 15, 2010
Burmese Rock Star-Journalist Wins International Award
BANGKOK — Win Maw, a 47-year-old activist-rock musician, has won the 2009 Kenji Nagai Memorial Award for his commitment as a freelance journalist in Burma. He is currently serving a total of 17-years imprisonment for his journalistic activities.
Hla Hla Win, a 25-year-old female DVB video journalist who is serving a 27-year sentence in Kathar Prison for interviewing monks in Pakkoku, shared the award with Win Maw. She also was convicted for giving information to an exiled news organization.
Win Maw
“In fact, he didn’t mean to become a journalist, yet, his desire to expose the real situation inside Burma turned him into an undercover journalist for an exile news station,” said his brother, Win Zaw.
In 2006, Win Maw visited Mae Sot on the Thai-Burma border to meet Win Zaw, who had had fled from Burma in 2004. After he returned from the trip, he would occasionally send music, songs, news, photos and videos on various issues to the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). He was arrested for those activities in 2008.
By that time, he had covered a variety of sensitive news, including activities of the National League for Democracy, the 88 Generation's activities and their members' arrests, and the monk-led Saffron Revolution in September 2007. During the Saffron Revolution, he wrote a song, “May the People’s Desire be Fulfilled.”
On Nov. 27, 2008, Win Maw went to a tea shop on his way back from an Internet café to meet his friends Aung Aung and Myat San, a member of the Tri-Color Student Group.
“The military intelligence agents were already waiting for his friends at the teashop, and he was caught along with them.” said his brother.
Police found a computer disk of data for the DVB in Win Maw's possession. The agents tracked his previous activities during the past year. He was charged and tried in a closed court and found guilty of violating the Immigration Act, damaging public tranquility laws by sending "false" information to an exile news group and illegal border crossing. He was sentenced to 7-years imprisonment. He was sentenced an additional 10-years imprisonment for violation of the Electronic Transmission Act. Currently, he is in Sandway Prison in Arakan State about 590 miles northeast of Rangoon.
During his interrogation, he was tortured. In the early part of his detention, he suffered from asthma, pneumonia and had trouble breathing after being subjected to water torture and a broken nose.
His wife, Tha Zin, said his health has seriously deteriorated.
The award was created by the Japanese video news agency APF and the exile-based Burma Media Association (BMA) one year after the Japanese photojournalist Kenji Nagai was shot dead by Burmese soldiers in Rangoon during the Saffron Revolution in 2007.
“I feel nothing special about the award, except to be proud of my brother,” said Win Zaw, who spent seven years in Thayat Prison in 1997 for writing songs for Burma’s opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. “Although he has done his work without any hope for an award, he will surely be delighted in getting international recognition for his effort.”
As a youth, Win Maw had always wanted to be a successful musician, honing his skills as an artist when he was young.
“He had no other hobby or interest,” said his brother. “Music was his life. His single dream was to play the guitar his whole life.”
In 1980, Win Maw stopped attending Rangoon University where he was a sophomore math major and formed an amateur rock band—Computer Control. The band started with four members including Win Maw, 18, and Win Zaw, 13.
Win Maw and his brother joined the people's uprising in 1988 to bring down the Burma Socialist Program Party led by General Nay Win, who ruled Burma from 1962 to 1988. The following year, Win Maw was introduced to Suu Kyi, who had returned to Burma to look after her ailing mother. After the uprising, he resumed his music career and was not interested in party politics.
Later on, Suu Kyi recognized the brothers’ talents and asked them to support the movement through their music.
Since 1984, the band had been performing nightly in a program on state-run Myanmar TV.
Source: The Irrawaddy
Friday, February 5, 2010
KIO continues to oppose BGF
Ruili (Mizzima) – An adamant Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), continuing to oppose conversion of its armed wing the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) into the Border Guard Force (BGF) said, while marking the 49th Kachin Resistance Day, today that it would continue to demand ethnic rights.
In his address sent to the Kachin Resistance Day celebrations held in Laiza in Kachin State this morning, KIO Chiarman U Zawng Hra said that they wanted ethnic rights as envisaged in the historic Panlong Agreement, which was the key to establishing a Union during the independence struggle.
“Our organization is not for money and not for killing people. We are still into revolutionary struggle for self-determination rights agreed to in the Panlong Agreement long ago but which remain unfulfilled till today. If the junta is adamant about the BGF, we will reiterate our demands based on the Panlong Agreement,” a KIO administrative official who attended the ceremony told Mizzima.
The junta has been pressurizing all ethnic armed ceasefire groups to transform their troops into the BGF. The KIO on its part has had parleys with Burmese Army brass on this contentious issue 11 times till the end of last month but there has been no breakthrough. Amidst the impasse, the KIO Chairman has reiterated the outfit’s position rejecting the BGF in his address today.
The Kachin Resistance Day held in Laiza was on a small scale and attended by 500 guests.
“According to the ceremony agenda, KIO Forest and Agricultural Minister Col. Nau San read out the Chairman’s speech. Then Home Minister Chieftain Dwe Li Sa expounded on the speech. After which the list of enlisted personnel with over 10 to 40 years service was read out,” a KIO officer said.
Most KIO central committee members did not attend today’s ceremony. The sports meet was slated for the afternoon and entertainment programmes for the evening, it is learnt.
The 49th Kachin Resistance Day is being held on a grand scale in areas controlled by KIA’s 1st Brigade in Sumpra Bum Township, Kachin State from February 3 to 6. It is learnt that the junta’s representatives were not invited to the ceremony held today.
KIO reached a ceasefire agreement with the junta in February 1994. It is the only outfit in Kachin State which is still rejecting the regime’s BGF proposal.
There are three ethnic armed Kachin ceasefire groups in Kachin State. Of which, the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) led by U Zahkung Ting Ying agreed to transform its troops to BGF. Another, KIO breakaway faction led by U Lasang Awng Wa, based in La Wah Yan village, Wai Maw Township, has converted its troops into a people’s militia toeing the junta’s line.
Each BGF battalion will have 326 personnel of which 30 will be from the Burmese Army and will be under its control. The salaries will be disbursed to all the personnel by the central government.
Edited by Ye Yint Aung in Mizzima
In his address sent to the Kachin Resistance Day celebrations held in Laiza in Kachin State this morning, KIO Chiarman U Zawng Hra said that they wanted ethnic rights as envisaged in the historic Panlong Agreement, which was the key to establishing a Union during the independence struggle.
“Our organization is not for money and not for killing people. We are still into revolutionary struggle for self-determination rights agreed to in the Panlong Agreement long ago but which remain unfulfilled till today. If the junta is adamant about the BGF, we will reiterate our demands based on the Panlong Agreement,” a KIO administrative official who attended the ceremony told Mizzima.
The junta has been pressurizing all ethnic armed ceasefire groups to transform their troops into the BGF. The KIO on its part has had parleys with Burmese Army brass on this contentious issue 11 times till the end of last month but there has been no breakthrough. Amidst the impasse, the KIO Chairman has reiterated the outfit’s position rejecting the BGF in his address today.
The Kachin Resistance Day held in Laiza was on a small scale and attended by 500 guests.
“According to the ceremony agenda, KIO Forest and Agricultural Minister Col. Nau San read out the Chairman’s speech. Then Home Minister Chieftain Dwe Li Sa expounded on the speech. After which the list of enlisted personnel with over 10 to 40 years service was read out,” a KIO officer said.
Most KIO central committee members did not attend today’s ceremony. The sports meet was slated for the afternoon and entertainment programmes for the evening, it is learnt.
The 49th Kachin Resistance Day is being held on a grand scale in areas controlled by KIA’s 1st Brigade in Sumpra Bum Township, Kachin State from February 3 to 6. It is learnt that the junta’s representatives were not invited to the ceremony held today.
KIO reached a ceasefire agreement with the junta in February 1994. It is the only outfit in Kachin State which is still rejecting the regime’s BGF proposal.
There are three ethnic armed Kachin ceasefire groups in Kachin State. Of which, the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) led by U Zahkung Ting Ying agreed to transform its troops to BGF. Another, KIO breakaway faction led by U Lasang Awng Wa, based in La Wah Yan village, Wai Maw Township, has converted its troops into a people’s militia toeing the junta’s line.
Each BGF battalion will have 326 personnel of which 30 will be from the Burmese Army and will be under its control. The salaries will be disbursed to all the personnel by the central government.
Edited by Ye Yint Aung in Mizzima
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