SPDC Election Laws Set the Stage for Sham Elections

[…] The following paper gives a concrete update since the last report ALTSEAN published on the electoral process in Burma. It also explains how the regime is preparing itself for the day after the elections which are organized with only one aim: to ensure that the country will remain still hostage of the military for many more years to come […]

Analysis of the 2008 SPDC Constitution for Burma

Burma’s ruling junta, the SPDC, has decided to hold elections in 2010 to choose a civilian government under the 2008 constitution, which was adopted by force and fraud. Even if the elections are free and fair, the constitution will only allow for a partially civilian government rather than civilian rule.

International attention has focused most on the constitution’s mandate that the Tatmadaw will appoint 25% of the various legislative bodies. But there’s a much bigger problem: under the constitution, the Tatmadaw is not subject to civilian government, and it writes its own portfolio. It can do whatever it wants […]

The Role of Political Prisoners in the National Reconciliation Process

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

For decades, the people of Burma have been striving for peace, democracy and the full realization of their human rights. Recognizing this goal, political parties like the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic nationality groups have attempted to engage in a process of national reconciliation, but the ruling military regime (known as the State Peace and Development Council, SPDC) has resisted this at every turn. At its heart, ‘national reconciliation’ is resolution of the conflicts brought about by the struggle for democracy, human rights, equality, and self-determination that have been ongoing since independence. Burma’s 2,100 plus political prisoners represent that struggle, yet the SPDC continues to deny their existence.[…]

2010 Election Laws

Full-text of the SPDC’s 2010 Election Laws, including Union Election Commission Law, Political Parties Registration Law, Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) Election Law and Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) Election Law.

An Analysis of the Elections in Burma in 2010 and the Following Period

For the past fifty years, military dictators have ruled Burma destroying the economy, abolishing rule of law, and perpetuating thousands of human rights violations against its own population. The military regime known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) regularly enlists child soldiers, uses sexual violence against the civilian population, has forcibly displaced and […]

The Repression of Ethnic Minority Activists in Myanmar

The 58-page report, The Repression of Ethnic Minority Activists in Myanmar, draws on accounts from more than 700 activists from the seven largest ethnic minorities, including the Rakhine, Shan, Kachin, and Chin, covering a two-year period from August 2007.

The authorities have arrested, imprisoned, and in some cases tortured or even killed ethnic minority activists. Minority groups have also faced extensive surveillance, harassment and discrimination when trying to carry out their legitimate activities. […]

Collective Statement on 2010 Elections Calling for Genuine Political Reconciliation Before Elections in Burma

We, the united voice of people, communities, and organizations from Burma and around the globe, strongly reaffirm the necessity for genuine political reconciliation before the 2010 elections and call on the international community to take immediate action to ensure viable democratic change occurs in Burma. The people of Burma are entitled to have a genuine […]

Open Letter to the International Crisis Group to rescind their support for the 2010 Burma Elections

An open letter to the International Crisis Group to rescind the organization’s recommendations regarding Burma, to withdraw the flawed constitutional analysis, and to articulate States’ legal obligations with regard to Burma, including taking all possible steps, individually and collectively, to end impunity for the ongoing criminal breaches of international humanitarian law. […]

Impunity Prolonged: Burma and its 2008 Constitution

Civil society and international organizations should meanwhile develop a coordinated approach for gathering information about human rights violations in Burma, to help prepare for eventual prosecutions and other measures dealing with the military government’s long legacy of impunity. […]

2010 Elections: A Recipe for Continued Conflict

A briefer that shows how the regime’s preparations for the 2010 elections have already had serious human security impacts on the region – increased crimes against humanity and escalated armed conflict causing 43,800 refugees to cross over into China and Thailand within the last 3 months. It also outlines the serious flaws in the 2008 Constitution that will intensify the root causes of conflict that has plagued Burma. […]