BURMA.UNPO: The Situation in Burma /BURMA

It recommits itself to the principles of freedom, justice, peace and non-violence , to the rights of peoples to self-determination and the assertion of democracy and good governances. It salutes the courage of and expresses solidarity with the members and other victims of oppression who are struggling for their basic rights and fundamental freedoms around the world;

UNPO Member BURMA Resolution :

The UNPO General Assembly;

Welcomes the United Nations Security Council’s decision of September 15, 2006, to include the political crisis in the Union of Burma as one of its formal agenda items;

Welcomes with caution the invitation by the Burmese military regime of the Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs of the United Nations, to visit Burma;

Notes that during his first visit notes he was not permitted to meet with the leaders of the ethnic nationalities;

Expresses pleasure at the establishment of the Ethnic Nationalities Council (Union of Burma), composed of representatives from ethnic nationalities and states, and is recognized as a collective effort to achieve the aspirations of all ethnic nationalities in Burma;

Expresses its grave concern with regards to the ongoing systematic violation of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the peoples of Burma, and committed by the Burmese Army, in particularly in the areas of ethnic nationalities;

Gravely concerned by the recent military offensive operations against civilians, leading to several thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees;

Underlines the deterioration of political, economic and social situation, rapidly resulting in a humanitarian crisis;

Concerned by the recent blockade by the Burmese military regime, preventing the distribution of aid in the areas ethnic nationalities;

Worried by the reconvening of the National Convention, the purpose of which is to legalize the military dictatorship in the future constitution of Burma, and which excludes the participation of democratic opposition parties, as well as restricting the discussion through basic guidelines and principles established by the Burmese military regime;

Recognizes that good governance, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, are essential to achieve sustainable development and economic growth, and that good governance includes the idea of transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory government at all levels;

Suggests that the best way to solve the political crisis of Burma is to hold tripartite dialogue, consistently urged by the United Nations General Assembly since 1994, among leaders of ethnic nationalities, the National League for Democracy and the military;

Therefore, we urge The UNPO General Assembly to:

1. Call upon the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on Burma which includes a call for tripartite dialogue, the reduction of military presence in ethnic nationalities areas, a respect for and promotion of human rights, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid distribution to all areas of the country;

2. Urges the SPDC to allow the requested meeting between the UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs and the leaders of ethnic nationalities to take place;

3. Demand the Burmese military regime stop human rights violations, military offensives and operations, and declare a nation-wide cease fire;

4. Call for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Khun Htun Oo, as well as other political prisoners;

5. Recommend the immediately commencement of a tripartite dialogue for national reconciliation and democratization in Burma;

6. Recommend that the military regime, the democratic opposition parties, particularly the National League for Democracy, and the ethnic nationalities, all ensure that the future constitution of Burma is fully compliant to the Panglong Agreement of 1947, and reflects the will and desire of the people of the Union of Burma.

( BURMA.UNPO )