UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon should stop trying to persuade Burma’s generals to reform fake elections designed to maintain their rule. Instead the UN should renew efforts to force Burma’s generals to enter into dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and genuine ethnic representatives.
Please take action now and urge UN Secretary General to take the lead on Burma.
Reports
The White Shirts: How the USDA Will Become the New Face of Burma’s Dictatorship
A Report by The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD)
Vote to Nowhere
Human Rights Watch reports on the May 2008 Constitutional Referendum in Burma.
SPDC constitution
SPDC constitution which enshrines military rule, giving 25 percent of the seats to the military, and also gives the military effective veto power over decisions made by Parliament. Download the constitution in English here.
Impunity Prolonged: Burma and its 2008 Constitution
Report by the International Center for Transitional Justice calling on the international community to withhold support for Burma’s 2010 elections and not accept the results of the vote unless the government amends the country’s constitution to end impunity for human rights violations.
2010 Elections: A Recipe for Continued Conflict
This report reveals serious concerns over the possible conduct of the 2010 elections that is likely to disenfranchise an estimated 1.9 million voters. It also outlines the serious flaws in the 2008 constitution that will intensify the root causes of conflict that has plagued Burma. The regime’s preparations for 2010…
Burma’s dictatorship has announced that it will hold elections on 7 November 2010. The fake elections are part of their much-criticised “road-map to democracy” that has been condemned around the world as an attempt to entrench and legitimize military rule. The entire process is a sham. The elections will bring in a new constitution, which contains many undemocratic measures including the military having an effective veto over decisions made by the new Parliament and government. It is designed to keep the dictatorship in power and will not bring any new freedom to Burma’s people.
The British Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne has said: “These elections are set to be held under deeply oppressive conditions designed to perpetuate military rule. The Burmese people should have a real chance to vote for change. Instead, the first opportunity in twenty years for Burma’s people to have a more open, stable and prosperous society has been missed.
It is not yet too late for the Burmese authorities to take credible steps to allow the citizens of the country to determine who should run their country. Today, I urge the Burmese military government to allow a free and fair campaign and polling process, to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to instigate an inclusive dialogue with the full participation of all opposition and ethnic groups. Unless they do so, these elections will not have legitimacy or international credibility.”
Image credit: “Constitution signed with Blood” with thanks to the Irrawaddy Newspaper.
Statements
Below are statements from foreign governments and non governmental organization regarding the 2010 election.
UK Government - Burma’s 2010 Election Will Entrench Military Rule (20 Jan 2009)
Australian Senate calls for government not to endorse Burma’s 2010 elections (PDF Format)
European Parliament resolution 11 February 2010 [PDF format]
- British MPs Call For UN Action On Burma
- EU/ASEAN Burma Statement Effectively Amounts to Defence of the Dictatorship
- European Parliament – EU Must Support Burma Crimes Investigation
- Ban Ki-moon Fails to Act as National League for Democracy Banned by Burma Regime
- International Community Ignores Danger of Burma Sliding Into War
Statements
Below are statements from the Burmese democracy movement about the 2010 election.
Karen National Union (KNU) statement on the 2010 Election. April 26th 2009. (PDF Format)
National Democratic Front unanimously decided to counter the election to be held in 2010. April 9, 2009 (PDF Format)
Burma’s Democratic and Ethnic Forces “Vow to Oppose the 2010 Election Collectively’. April 6th 2009. (PDF Format)
5th Ethnic Nationalities Conference Statement August 26-28 2008. Burmese (PDF Format) English(PDF Format)
AIPMC Statement on Burma’s election laws (PDF Format)
United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), letter to The United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (PDF Format)
NLD Chair U Aung Shwe sends a letter to Senior General Than Shwe - Burmese (PDF Format)
NLD Chair U Aung Shwe sends a letter to Senior General Than Shwe - English & Burmese (PDF Format)
Open letter to UN Security Council Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from All Burma Monks’ Alliance, the 88 Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Student Unions (PDF Format)
NLD Statement - Burmese (PDF Format)
NLD Statement - English (PDF Format)

