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Representatives of the People elected to the Parliament in the 1990
multiparty democratic elections
(Committee Representing People's Parliament)

Notification No 12(2/99)

1. We have been informed about the vociferous outcry of no-confidence against U Paw Khin, the representative of the people of Myingyan township Constituency No: 1 of Mandalay Division, who we maintain remains as such by law.

2. U Paw Khin was elected by the people in free and fair multiparty general elections conducted by the authorities in May 1990 and acknowledged as a People's Parliament representative by the Multiparty General Elections Commission. He received 42015 undisputed votes being 78.09%.

3. For the reasons set out below, the shouts of "No confidence, No support" have no legitimacy.

(a) The authorities are exercising powers that are not contained in the Politica Parties Registration Law (27-9-88) and the Pyithu Hluttaw (People's Parliament) Election Law (30-3-98); laws decreed by them.

(b) Five or more persons gathering, going about in single file, making speeches, shouting, instigating or causing any disturbances is prohibited in paragraph 2 of Order 2/88 issued by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) now known as State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Therefore the assembling of people by some authorities in some localities is a violation of the law.

(c) The authorities are biased and are using simple and innocent people as a means to an end.

(d) Extreme abuse of power and control that is in their hands.

4. The people who oppose the demonstrations being carried out against U Paw Khin have written to the National League for Democracy. We publish some of the complaints (in their own words). (a) Attendance was compulsory for all persons over the age of 18 years. Kyats 400 was the penalty for default.

(b) Signatures of all members of a household (over 18 years) was taken to prove attendance. These signatures were used as signifying opposition and no confidence.

(c) In some cases, without reading out the no confidence motion from the platform (they said it could not be read) the no confidence motion was declared.

(d) At the meeting of the Myingyan District authorities held on 4 February 1999, the chairman said that those who refused to sign their resignations would be shot dead.

5. Notification No 1/88 dated 18/9/88 issued by SLORC now SPDC contains
"...... to carry out the following duties and responsibilities...... (a) enforcement of law, peace and prosperity to the land........ "
This unequivocally proclaimed responsibility by the authorities is now unashamedly being flouted by themselves.

6. The purpose of electing representatives is to enable them to perform tasks for and on behalf of the people through a parliament.

7. The authorities have a duty according to law to convene a parliament which they have deliberately neglected and failed to do.

8. Whereupon the representatives themselves sought to convene parliament as a result they have been illegally and without any justification arrested and imprisoned.

9. Though some representatives have a desire to explain the situation to their constituents, they have been hampered by the illegal restraints placed on them by the authorities.

10. We emphatically urge the authorities to guide and teach the simple and innocent people to act in accordance with the provisions of law rather than forcing them to flout the law. Bad precedents should not be created. We denounce all these wrong and corrupt practices.

Committee Representing People's Parliament

Rangoon 24 February 1999
(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for Democracy.)