NLD Statement 128 in English

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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



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