International Conference of Japanese Parliamentarian Group and ASEAN Parliamentary Group toward Democratization in Burma
May 21, 2007. Media contact: Roshan Jason (AIPMC Exec. Director) +81-906-1948-571 (Japan mobile)
Joint Statement
1. On May 21, 2007, the Japanese Parliamentary Group Supporting Democratization in Myanmar (Minshuka Giren) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) held an international conference in Tokyo on the theme of “A Path for Democratization in Burma.” This conference was realized thanks to the strong desire and initiative of Burmese citizens living in Japan.
2. The participants of the meeting included bipartisan Diet members from Minshuka Giren, members of AIPMC from Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and representatives of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) and National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB). It was also attended by representatives from RENGO (Japanese Trade Union Confederation), embassies in Japan, NGOs, and organizations of Burmese residents in Japan.
3. At this meeting, reports were given on the current state of Burma. They included the process through which the issue of Burma was formally brought onto the agenda of the UN Security Council, the situation of forced labor and forcible displacements, the systematic rape of women in conflict areas, and the current situation of political prisoners. In terms of recent developments in the international sphere, information were exchanged on the restoration of diplomatic ties between North Korea and Burma, and the granting of natural resource extraction rights, including for natural gas and oil, to China in exchange for weapons.
4. Minshuka Giren and AIPMC emphasized the urgent need for collaboration in order to put an end to the anti-democratic rule of the military junta, which oppresses the people. Both groups also pointed out the importance of Japan’s role in the problem of Burma.
5. In conclusion, the two groups agreed to make efforts to achieve the following:
(1) The immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, and the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
(2) Implement the results of the 1990 general elections.
(3) A national consensus to transform the process of Constitutional drafting, which is currently acting as a hindrance to national reconciliation, into one that the National League for Democracy (NLD), ethnic minorities and all stakeholders can agree to and participate in.
(4) Guarantee of freedom of political activities for political parties and basic rights for workers.
(5) The immediate suspension of forcible displacement of local residents and forced labor. Also, the immediate end of the systematic rape of women residents in conflict areas and the conscription of children as soldiers.
(6) Tripartite dialogue between the military junta, NLD, and ethnic minorities toward national reconciliation.
(7) Call for the passing of a binding UNSC non-punitive resolution on Burma.
6. Parliamentarians from both groups participating in the international conference agreed to inform their respective governments of the conclusions of the conference, and to pressure the military junta to respond positively to these demands and to bring democracy to Burma.
7. Minshuka Giren and AIPMC confirmed the need, based on the success of this conference, to continue to convene conference in the future.
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
http://www.ncgub.net/article.php/20070522130940518