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Right Hon. Stephen HarperPrime MinisterThe Government of CanadaDecember 10, 2009Dear Prime MinisterOn November 17, 2009, Global Action for Burma (GAB) is launching a global actionmonth against the Burmese military regime’s sham 2010 election. GAB is a commonadvocacy platform for Burmese democracy activists living inside and outside Burma.Over 100 Burmese pro-democracy organizations, including activists in Canada,students, monks and ethnic nationalities organizations inside and outside Burma, areactively participating in GAB actions.On behalf of GAB, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Governmentof Canada and your leadership in imposing the toughest sanctions against Burmesemilitary regime and in providing much needed humanitarian assistance to the people atthe border.Today on International Human Rights Day, we write this letter to you to inform you ofwhat is really happening in Burma.The junta adopted the 2008 sham constitution unilaterally and now is planning to hold anelection in 2010. Our experiences have taught us to be sceptical of the junta. TheBurmese military regime is the one, and only one in the world, who always breaks itspromises and yet keeps on giving promises.There are over 2100 political prisoners in Burma including our national democraticleader, and Honourary Canadian Citizen, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.There have been more arrests of political activists and more restrictions of freedom.Furthermore, the regime is forcing ethnic cease-fire groups to agree to a “Border Guard”proposal in order to cement the military’s hold on power and to continue their ethniccleansing activities.It should not be forgotten that in spite of promises made by the military junta before the1990 election, they did not relinquish power when they lost the election. Even thoughAung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won alandslide victory the junta chose to ignore the election results and the voice of the peopleof Burma.Now to insure they will not lose the 2010 election they have intensified the arrests ofdemocratic proponents and concocted charges against Aung San Suu Kyi to eliminateher participation and influence in this sham election. Ironically the architects of the 1990election are the very same generals who have plotted this latest scam to nullify the voiceof the people in this rigged election.
 
On April 29 2009, the NLD issued “Shwe-Gone-Dine” Declaration in an effort to resolvethe crisis in Burma. The National League for Democracy (NLD), the unanimous victors ofthe 1990 election, clearly stated their position of what is needed in order to have truenational reconciliation and for the NLD to consider participation in the 2010 election.They are:1 Unconditional release of all the political prisoners2. Review of 2008 Constitution3. Allow the reopening of the NLD and ethnic nationalities offices4. Recognition of the 1990 election result5. Genuine political dialogue between Sr. General Than Shwe and Aung San SuuKyi; and dialogue with the ethnic nationalities.These are the fundamental demands requested by legitimate leaders of Burma.Before we could possibly address the junta’s proposed 2010 election, we must addressthe validity of the 2008 constitution. Drafted by the junta, this document is far fromcredible or constitutional. Free, fair and all inclusive is not what this documentrepresents.Legitimizing the criminal regime was not the will of the people and this isincomprehensible and totally unacceptable to the Burmese people. Our aspirations fordemocracy by nonviolent means are well documented.Recently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has sent a letter to the junta’s head,Senior General Than Shwe, saying that she would like to co-operate withthe junta for the benefit of the people of Burma and also requestingto meet with him.The People of Burma look to the leaders of international community in an effort to garnersupport for a democratic Burma. We would be very grateful if you could add your voiceto call for the junta’s positive response to Shwe-Gone-Dine” Declaration. Above allplease call for junta to respond positively to Aung San Suu Kyi’s humble proposal forhaving dialogue.Canada and the international community should prepare to denounce the regime’s 2010election if the regime goes ahead with the election by ignoring requests from Aung SanSuu Kyi, the NLD and the ethnic nationalities and if the regime ignores the UN andinternational community demand for an inclusive, credible, free and fair election.The dictatorship in Burma is accused of committing crimes against humanity for itswidespread and systematic human rights abuses, including torture, forced displacement,sexual violence, extra-judicial killings and forced labour. Yet no government is speakingout on this issue. It is the time Canada to support the United Nations Commission ofInquiry, and referral of the situation in Burma to the International Criminal Court.Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
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