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

CRPP Notification 15/2000

1. The multi-party democratic elections of May 1990 resulted in victory for 392 National League for Democracy candidates. From the ethnic national groups there were 23 Shan National League for Democracy candidates, 11 Arakan League for Democracy candidates, 5 Mon National Democratic Front candidates, 2 Zomi National Congress candidates who became Pyithu Hluttaw representatives elect. The voters made their choice freely. This was a percentage of 89.28 because the 433 candidates were elected from a total of 485 constituencies.

2. Chapter 2 of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law (decreed on 31 May 1989, by the State Law and Order Restoration Council which has been transformed to the State Peace and Development Council is entitled "Formation of the Pyithu Hluttaw" and Section 3 makes it compulsory for a Pyithu Hluttaw to be convened.

3.Ten years have passed and despite the fact that the power holders have announced the names of the representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw, the military anashins have brazenly breached the provisions of the law they themselves decreed and have refused to convene a Pyithu Hluttaw.

4.(a) On 6 June 1998, the above mentioned national political parties addressed a letter to the Chairman of the SPDC setting out that
" .... Having the good of the country as our only consideration, we respectfully place these facts before you....."

" ...... Not implementing the outcome of the elections is a blemish in the history of the nation. The only way that this blemish can be removed is by convening a Pyithu Hluttaw as soon as possible....."

"... The Union of Myanma is facing a crisis. Solutions have not been found to problems relating to politics, business, social affairs and ethnic affairs.... "

".....There is no reason why all our problems cannot be solved through cooperation and genuine good will for all the people of this Union and without harboring any resentment or grudges. This is our firm belief and we sincerely urge you to...... "

4(b) In addition, the National League for Democracy by its letter dated 23 June 1998 to the Chairman of the SPDC urged them to keep their promises and convene a Pyithu Hluttaw in accordance with the Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law by the 21 August 1998.

5. The military anashins gave no reply to the letters mentioned above. This failure to convene a Pyithu Hluttaw was tantamount to ignoring the will of the people. Furthermore, the military anashins smashed and shattered the promises they gave to the people. In the matter of convening a Pyithu Hluttaw and in the matter of all political parties (nationalities and others) and the independents, there was the responsibility to respect the wishes of the voters and masses and the responsibility to maintain and observe the provisions of the Pyithu Elections Law. Consequently, on 16 September 1998 the Committee Representing the People's Parliament was formed.

6. In the said committee the Shan National League for Democracy, the Arakan League for Democracy, the Mon National Democracy Front and the Zomi National Congress were represented by U Aye Tha Aung (Secretary of the Arakan League for Democracy). He and U Than Tun (Central Executive Committee member of the NLD) acted as Secretaries.

7. The said U Aye Tha Aung who was representing four ethnic nationality parties was illegally arrested on the 24 March 2000 by the military anashins and sentenced to suffer 21years imprisonment. Our information is that the sentence was passed on 7 June 2000.

8. From the date of his illegal arrest and forced detention till sometime after he was sentenced his family was not granted permission to visit him. The first visit was on the 27 July 2000. His trial was not open to the public. He was not allowed a defense lawyer. It was conducted as hastily as possible. The heavy sentence was unwarranted and unjust.

9. The stability and strength of the Union of Burma depends on collective support, collaboration and help of all the nationalities. Everyone is aware of this. This means that we must work together unitedly, equally and strongly. This unjust sentence to years of imprisonment is a heavy penalty to a man of U Aye Tha Aung's caliber, a man who was dedicated to working for the unification and harmony between the different ethnic nationalities. This will only be detrimental towards achieving a national and united spirit between the nationalities and we strongly denounce them for this.

Committee Representing People's Parliament
9 August 2000

(Distributed by National League for Democracy)