For most of its modern history following independence from Britain in 1948, Burma has been ruled by an
army-controlled regime that isolated the country, wrecked its economy, and repressed its ethnically diverse
peoples. Former UN Special Rapporteur for Burma, Professor Yokota, described the situation in Burma as "a
climate of pervasive fear".
In 1988, a massive and peaceful `people power' movement demanded an end to dictatorship. The military,
then known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), reacted fiercely, killing thousands of
people and imprisoning many others under draconian laws.
International pressure forced the SLORC to hold democratic elections. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the
opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was placed under house arrest. Despite being
confined to her home, she led the NLD to a landslide victory. The junta has refused to accept the results
and has never allowed parliament to convene. Many elected representatives have been arrested, some have
died in prison, others have fled into exile. Following an abortive attempt to form an interim government in
Mandalay, elected parliamentarian, Dr. Sein Win, set up the National Coalition Government of Burma
(NCGUB) near the Thai-Burma border.
A return to civilian rule will be under a new constitution. The NCGUB, together with ethnic, religious and stu-
dent groups, have jointly produced a draft democratic constitution. But a military-controlled National Conven-
tion, comprised of 702 handpicked delegates, was established in 1993. Major national figures such as Aung
San Suu Kyi were not allowed to participate. insurgent ethnic minority groups were barred and dissension
emerged from the outset. This draft document, enshrining military dominance of any future government and
marginalizing Burma's ethnic minorities, has been rejected by the democratic opposition.
Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD
After six years of house arrest, during which she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
was released in 1995. However, her movements remain severely restricted and she cannot travel out of Ran-
goon to visit party branches. Party executives in the country cannot travel to Rangoon for consultations. If
they try, they are either arrested or `invited to stay in government guest houses' to `reconsider' their actions.
Many have been persuaded to resign from the NLD `for the good of their family'. Those who refuse face
lengthy interrogations, psychological threats, and long prison sentences without benefit of an open court or
lawyers.
In 1998, the NLD set August 21 as the deadline for convening parliament. The junta, now known as the State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC), failed to respond. In September of that year, the NLD formed the
10-member Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP), a move which triggered a crackdown
against the party and the arrest of hundreds of followers. In addition, the SPDC has insisted on the dissolu-
tion of the CRPP as a pre-condition for the resumption of talks with the opposition.
The NLD continue to call for dialogue with the military and ethnic leaders. The SPDC has vowed to annihi-
late the NLD by the end of 2000. The latest attempt by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other party elders to
travel to party branches in Mandalay have resulted in their detention under de facto house arrest and the im-
prisonment of many NLD supporters.
HISTORIC MEETING IN DUBLIN
The Government -in-Exile (the NCGUB) have, in October 2000, held a National Convention here in
Dublin. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, NGO's and Burma Action Ireland facilitated this week -long
event. Dr. Sein Win was re-elected Prime Minister, a full cabinet was selected and future political strategy
was agreed -
Current Political Situation (October 2000)
42
