NLD reacts to barring Daw Suu from contesting elections

Nay Thwin - Mizzima News

February 25, 2008 - The National League for Democracy (NLD) reacted strongly today to the ban on Aung San Suu Kyi contesting the 2010 elections saying that it was a 'personal attack' against her and the regime has no right to do such a thing.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (DASSK) is the daughter of Independence hero Bogyoke (General) Aung San and Daw Khin Kyi and she is also a citizen of Burma. This is a mere personal attack against her, the NLD said.

"This remark comes from an unauthorized person when there is no constitution and election rule yet. This is a personal and political attack against her," U Nyan Win, NLD spokesman said.

"Barring someone from contesting an election must be in accordance with either the election rule or the constitution. This remark is an unauthorized remark when there is no such rule and constitution so far," he added.

Moreover this restriction violates Article (2) and (21) of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) besides undermining national reconciliation and stability of the Sate, he warned.

"This should not have been said at this crucial juncture when talks are on between DASSK and the regime's Minister of Relations U Aung Kyi for the sake of the country. This can undermine national reconciliation and stability of the State," U Nyan Win said.

"It is premature to say so now. We do not yet know whether the draft constitution will be approved or not by the people in the referendum. The election is still far away and we have no comment to make to this question," he replied when asked if today's statement hinted at NLD's position on apparently contesting the forthcoming election had the regime allowed DASSK to contest.

"There are no such provisions in the existing laws. Such restriction is in qualification of President in the draft constitution, but not included in the qualifications of Member of Parliament", he said.

The regime's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win told his counterparts in Singapore on February 19 that DASSK has been disqualified from contesting the election since she married a British citizen and has two sons who hold British citizenship.

The remark coincided with the optimistic comment on referendum and fresh elections made by the UN special Envoy on Burma and it surprised the ASEAN countries.

Mr. Gambari is currently in Singapore and the Singapore PM George Yeoh urged the regime to ensure that the referendum and elections be 'reliable and all inclusive'.

Mr. Gambari may visit Burma at the end of next month and this visit will focus on discussing with the regime its position relating to DASSK not being allowed to contest the elections.

The regime made two announcements on February 9 on holding a referendum in May this year and elections in 2010.

The opposition forces see these two announcements as an attempt to nullify the 1990 election result and cannot accept it. They pointed out that the NLD won a landslide victory in the election with over 82 percent seats and the regime is still refusing to honour this election result. So, they have turned down the new election formula.

Thailand, Vietnam and some ASEAN countries have given the green signal to the regime's plan to hold a referendum and fresh elections but some countries criticized the regime for banning DASSK from contesting the coming elections.

Meanwhile, the opposition forces are not making official comments on barring DASSK from contesting the election but there are widespread differences and heated debate on whether there should be a 'total boycott' or 'NO' vote in the forthcoming referendum.