British Government: As long as the elections are contested on the current constitution, whatever the outcome they cannot be recognised by the international community

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is the global campaigning and lobbying organisation to restore democracy, human rights and rule of law inBurma where everyone can enjoy the freedom of speech, press, beliefs, assembly and rule of law that emphasizes the protection of individualrights. It is the registered company in UK and register number is 6496926. Register address is 2

nd

Floor, 145-157 St. John Street, London, UnitedKingdom, EC1V 4PY

British Government: As long as the elections are contested onthe current constitution, whatever the outcome they cannot berecognised by the international community 01 February 2010Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) today welcomes the BritishGovernment sta

nds on Burmese junta’s 2008 constitution and

planned 2010 election. Written in the Hansard, Mr. Ivan Lewis, the Minister of State,Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that

“The constitution

that underpins the election is deeply flawed. It is designed toperpetuate military rule in Burma. As long as the elections arecontested on the current constitution, whatever the outcome

they cannot be recognised by the international community.”

And he went on saying that

“It must be clear that without the

release of political prisoners and a commitment to an inclusiveprocess in respect of opposition and ethnic groups, theforthcoming elections in Burma will not be recognised by theinternational community-indeed, they will be entirely

illegitimate.”

Mr. Lewis said that

“

We continue to call for the release of AungSan Suu Kyi. We have made it clear that the elections cannot becredible if political prisoners are not free and able to engage in

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is the global campaigning and lobbying organisation to restore democracy, human rights and rule of law inBurma where everyone can enjoy the freedom of speech, press, beliefs, assembly and rule of law that emphasizes the protection of individualrights. It is the registered company in UK and register number is 6496926. Register address is 2

nd

Floor, 145-157 St. John Street, London, UnitedKingdom, EC1V 4PY

an inclusive process. We have lobbied China, India and Association of South East Nations members to recognise thatonly free and fair elections will lead to a stable and secureBurma. We support the UN Secretary-General's continuedengagement. Tough EU sanctions will remain in place in theabsence of any progress.It is equally important that the entireinternational community gives a united response to any election outcome.If there were any suggestion that somemembers of the international community attempted in any way to legitimise that outcome, that would be very dangerous interms of strengthening the regime. What we seek to achieve ismaximum unity of response on the basis that the election will be fought on a flawed constitution.

”

Myo Thein, the Director at the Burma Democratic Concern

(BDC) said, “We are very glad to learn British Government’s

clear stand on democratisation of Burma and significantly they

do not playing into the junta’s illegal 2010 election.

We hopethat other democratic countries around the world would follow the lead of British Government listening to the genuine voicesof people of Burma.

”

Junta plotted the ploy and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi whichis tantamount to turning back on dialogue and ultimately national reconciliation.

With reference to United Nations’ responsibility on

democratisation of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi said that

“United

Nations should demand the military regime to do national

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is the global campaigning and lobbying organisation to restore democracy, human rights and rule of law inBurma where everyone can enjoy the freedom of speech, press, beliefs, assembly and rule of law that emphasizes the protection of individualrights. It is the registered company in UK and register number is 6496926. Register address is 2

nd

Floor, 145-157 St. John Street, London, UnitedKingdom, EC1V 4PY

reconciliation first before holding the 2010 election. Otherwisethe elections will be illegal, unjust and lack of credibility if it isheld before facilitating to take place the nationalre

conciliation”.

A tremendous responsibility rests upon the United NationsOrganization to a far better end, and we are looking for a morepositive and bolder lead of the United Nations as military regime is trying to nullify the results of the 1990 elections by planning to hold sham election in 2010 even though NationalLeague for Democracy (NLD) clearly stated their position in the

“

Shwe-Gone-Dine

”

declaration that need to place in order tohave genuine national reconciliation in Burma.Khin Maung Win, the Director at the Burma Democratic

Concern (BDC) said, “The vital issue here is that 1990 election

results are still yet to be honoured and the planned elections will be held in accord with 2008 constitution. The essence of the 2008 Constitution is to guarantee impunity indefinitely andthe 2010 election will implement it. Moreover, it is

systematically designed to entrench military rule in Burma.”

U Tint Swe Thi Ha, the Patron at the Burma Democratic

Concern (BDC) said, “As long as military regime is in power in

one form or another, Burma will not be a peaceful state andmoreover it will threaten regional stability leading todestabilizing of peace in the world at large since junta has theamb

ition of possessing nuclear weapons.”