US Denounces Proposed Myanmar Referendum

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar’s military government announced on Saturday they would hold a referendum on a new constitution in May and general elections in 2010.

The United States and pro-democracy activists in Myanmar have denounced the regime’s plans for “its lack of seriousness about an open and fair process for the restoration of democracy.”

Dana Perino, White House spokeswoman, said the problem was not the setting of the date for elections, but  with the regime’s non-transparent and exclusive processes. “The drafting process for the constitution does not incorporate the views of opposition parties or all ethnic groups, nor does this timeframe allow for adequate debate on the pros and cons of the proposed constitution.”

Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said the proposed constitution was a “sham referendum [drafted] in a closed process by a hand-picked committee dominated by senior regime officials.” The proposal includes non-democratic features, including a ban on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyifrom running for office because she married a foreigner. “No referendum held under these conditions […] can be free, fair, or credible,” Mr. McCormack added.

Saturday’s announcement is widely seen as an attempt to deflect international pressure after last September’s suppression of pro-democracy protesters that killed at least 31 people. The junta has also failed to meet pledges it made to begin talks on political changes.

If elections are held, however, it would be the first since 1990, when Ms. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won a landslide victory that the junta ignored.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Activists reject Myanmar charter, fear violence during vote 11 February 2008

Bloomberg – Myanmar Elections Plan ‘Not Satisfactory’ to U.S. – 11 February 2008

Reuters – U.S. assails Myanmar election pledge; U.N. cautious – 12 February 2008

AP – Myanmar Activists Denounce Planned Polls – 11 February 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive