National League for Democracy
No: (97/b) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon
STATEMENT 128 (12/98)
1. (1) Since 27 September 1998, the National League for Democracy has
been operating as a legally constituted political organisation. It's
principal objectives are to
* construct a genuine democratic country,
* obtain full human rights for its citizens.
(2) Relevant documents relating to its principle objectives have been
submitted to the respective authorities.
2.(1) The League has been registered in accordance with the provisions
of the Political Parties Registration Law . " Political party refers to
a party that genuinely acknowledges and practices the multi party
democratic system " is the definition of a " political party " given in
Chapter 1 Section 2(a) of the law. (Note- That the League conforms to
the above definition is most transparent)
(2) Prohibitions for registration of political parties under this law
as set out in Chapter 2, Section 3 are:-
(a) Any organisation that has been declared as illegal under the
laws in force .
(b) Any organisation engaged in armed insurrection against the
state.
(c) Any organisation directly or indirectly receiving or
utilising moneys, buildings, motor vehicles or other properties
belonging to the state.
(d) Any organisation directly or indirectly receiving or
utilising moneys, properties, or any kind of support from a
foreign government or religious body, or organisation.
(e) any organisation utilising religion for political gain.
(f) Members of the Military, Peoples Police Force and other
Defence Services, Civil Services, Government Boards and Corporations and
other State owned enterprises including all persons drawing wages or
salaries from the state treasury.
3. (1) The National League for Democracy obtained registration and
remains a legally constituted body because none of the above
prohibitions could be applied to it. Therefore no section of the entire
League, which includes its Central body, its branches in the States,
Divisions , Townships, Wards, and Villages, its different classified
sections created by the Central body in accordance with its activities
can be dissolved or extinguished.
(2) If those in authority can break the laws they make, a very bad
and dangerous precedent is being set for the country.
4. (1) Presently, the Military Intelligence authorities are applying
illegal and improper methods of coercion and force on members of
township organising committees and not only extinguishing the branches
but applying illegal pressure to obtain the resignations of members of
the NLD. In so doing they entirely disregard the Political Parties
Restoration Law they have Promulgated.
(2) The information we are now receiving is that
In the wards and villages, groups of civil servants led by
the Military Intelligence personnel, enter every house to question the
inmates about their attitude and relationship with the NLD. Individuals
who favour the NLD and members of the NLD are forced to sign prepared
resignation forms to swell the numbers of resignations. The Law
prohibits civil servants from participating in politics. The authorities
should not be a party to activities which amount to infringement of the
law. If civil servants flout the law, the country will be doomed.
Provisions of law should not be flouted by the people in power. There
are ample examples of country's destruction because of transgressions
and violations of the law by civil servants of the country.
(3) In the townships right now, branches of the NLD are being destroyed
and extinguished, and forced resignations of members are being carried
out by Military Intelligence units unaccompanied by members of the of
multi party elections commission branch offices, and other civil
servants. Examples of such activities have been released by us in
previous statements.
(4) These activities are most degrading and and should never never be
indulged in. It is a conspiracy with the most evil intention of
preventing Burma attain democracy.
5. In the entire country, (States, Divisions, Townships, Wards and
Villages) members of the NLD are being summoned to attend at various
offices and department, or are being visited in their homes and being
made to resign their membership. This is entirely illegal and with
criminal intimidation. There is absolutely no meaning to pronouncing
that the rule of law will be achieved through the Registration of
Political Parties. Those responsible for these activities have brought
about shame and disgrace upon themselves.
6. The citizens of the Union and the Nationalities have expressed their
great desire for a democratic system of government. We all understand
and are convinced that only if and when that system can be constructed,
the country will obtain freedom from the political, commercial, social
welfare, education, health and other problems it now faces. Therefore,
the National League for Democracy declares that it believes all of them
will do its utmost with determination and persistence to overturn and
overcome whatever obstructions are placed in the path of achieving
democracy and human rights.
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
28 December 1998