Open Letter to Senior General Than Shwe

By Parliamentarian Friends of Burma • March 15, 2010

Senior General Than Shwe
Chairman, State Peace and Development Council
Nay Pyi Taw
Myanmar

U Nyan Win
Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nay Pyi Taw
Union of Myanmar

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
Sandringham Bldg
85 Range Rd, SUITE 902-903
Ottawa, ON
KIN 8J6

Dear Senior General Than Shwe,

The Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFOB) has noticed the announcement by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) of new electoral laws in preparation for the planned elections this year.

We are very disappointed with the electoral laws, which exclude Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,100 political prisoners from political participation. The law may also prohibit Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners from being a member in political parties. This is clearly another step in the wrong direction taken by the SPDC. It leads us to believe that the political party registration law makes a mockery of the democratic process, and ensures that the upcoming elections will be devoid of credibility.

PFOB is increasingly concerned that the SPDC continues to ignore calls by Canada and the international community, including members of ASEAN, to show concrete commitments to political reforms. We reiterate our call for SPDC to engage an inclusive political process leading to fair, transparent, and credible elections in which all citizens of Burma / Myanmar, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, can freely participate. We believe that a tripartite dialogue remains the best viable means towards achieving national reconciliation, long-lasting peace, and prosperity in Burma.

The Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFOB) calls on the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to overturn the law that bars political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, from participating in the political process. PFOB also calls on the authorities in Naypyidaw, Burma (Myanmar) to amend the 2008 constitution to ensure a genuine, all inclusive, democratic, political process in Burma.

Sincerely,

Hon. Larry Bagnell M.P.
Chair, Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFOB)