Campaign

• Prime Minister Letter to Friends of Burma • Prime Minister Letter to International MPs • Prime Minister's Call to Oversea Burmese • Burma in Review • International MP Declaration • Campaign Coordinators guide • MP-Campaign update • MPs Situation Printable Version

April 26, 2000

Dear Member of Parliament,

The democratically elected members of the parliament of Burma need your help.

Like you, the 485 members-elect of the parliament of Burma have had the honor of being elected by the citizens of their country to represent them in Parliament. We, however, have been denied the right take our oath of office and serve our constituents. The military authorities of Burma continue to refuse to keep their pre-election pledge to honor the will of the Burmese people as reflected in the 27 May 1990 elections.

Led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy, which won 392 of the 485 parliamentary seats in the election, the people of Burma and their democratically elected representatives continue to fight for democracy. It has not been easy. According to Amnesty International, more than 1,000 political activists were sent to Burmese prisons last year alone. 55 MPs-elect were incarcerated as of March 2000. Five MPs have died while in detention.

We have been heartened by the tremendous support of the international community. From the United Nations General Assembly to the Inter-Parliamentary Union to the UN Human Rights Commission to the International Labor Organization to democratic nations around the world, the international community has been steadfast in its strong and unwavering condemnation of the brutal Burmese military regime, support for the duly elected leadership of Burma and its call for negotiations toward a democratic transition.

During this tenth anniversary year of democratic elections of Burma, it is very important to demonstrate international resolve and increase the pressure on the military regime. More than ever, the military leaders of Burma need to know that there is no alternative to entering negotiations toward a peaceful transition to democracy. To demonstrate this resolve, members of parliaments from around the world are stepping forward to personally pledge their support for democracy in Burma and their solidarity with their democratically elected colleagues who have been denied their lawful right to take office.

The options of the military regime are narrowing. I am absolutely convinced that thousands of MPs stepping forward in support of their persecuted colleagues in Burma will not only make a difference in how these elected MPs are treated, but will take a significant step toward the goal of bringing our national nightmare to a close. I hope that you will consider joining this effort by signing the MP Declaration of Solidarity. It is being circulated in parliaments throughout the world. Your support will be as appreciated by your elected colleagues in Burma as it will be important to our cause. Thank you for your consideration of our request for help.

Sincerely,

(Dr. Sein Win)
Prime Minister