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Myanmar opposition stages democracy protest
Wed, Feb 13, 2008 The Straits Times
YANGON - ABOUT two dozen people held a rare protest in Myanmar's largest city yesterday to demand that the military junta listen to United Nations calls for the restoration of democracy. The protesters - members of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) - gathered outside the party's headquarters in Yangon carrying banners reading: 'Follow the UN resolution. Where are the 1990 election results?' The junta, which seized power in 1988, held elections in 1990. But, when the NLD won a sweeping victory, the military refused to relinquish power and began a systematic suppression of pro-democracy groups. Yesterday's protest, held as Myanmar celebrated Union Day, the anniversary of an agreement among ethnic groups paving the way for independence from British colonial rule, was watched by about 50 plainclothes police who photographed and video-taped participants.

It also repeated its call for the release of Ms Suu Kyi, who has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest, as well as her deputy Tin Oo and 1,800 other political prisoners believed to be held in the country.

The Myanmar government announced last week that elections will be held in 2010 following a referendum this May on a new Constitution being written under the junta's guidance.

It was the first time the government has set specific dates for steps in its 'road map to democracy', which has been widely criticised for failing to include any input from Ms Suu Kyi's party.

Human rights groups have denounced the referendum and election, saying they will prolong and institutionalise the military's role as the country's key power broker.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon urged the junta on Monday to hold substantive talks with Ms Suu Kyi without delay to ensure that the Constitution represents all citizens.

He also urged the government to grant a visa for UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to visit Myanmar again in the near future.

Mr Ban made clear that the UN is highly critical of the Constitution-drafting process.

Guidelines for a new Constitution were adopted by a national convention last year, and a government-appointed commission is now drafting the document.

Critics denounced the national convention because most delegates were hand-picked by the military and Ms Suu Kyi was excluded.

ASSOCIATED PRESS