World Parliamentary Body Strongly Urges for the Immediate Release of All Detained MPs-Elect of Burma

The Members of Parliament Union (MPU-Burma) welcomes the recent resolution adopted unanimously by the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at its 173rd session in October 2003, which reiterates its calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained MPs-elect.

"We have been engaging with the IPU since 1999 to seek support from its 144 member parliaments around the world. We are very encouraged by the successive resolutions and actions of the IPU, which fully support the restoration of human rights and parliamentary democracy in Burma," said Daniel Aung, Vice-President of the MPU.

To date, 18 MPs-elect still remain in prisons. Eight MPs-elect have been arbitrarily detained and another 8 MPs-elect have been under house arrest since 30 May 2003. Another five MPs-elect have disappeared and are believed to be detained.

The IPU:

• Recalls that not only the election results of 27 May 1990 not been implemented, but also many MPs-elect have been eliminated from the political process through arbitrary means, including arrest, detention and sentencing under laws infringing on basic international human rights standards

• Urges the authorities, as is their duty, to establish the whereabouts of the MPs-elect who have disappeared and to investigate the allegations of torture in the case of Mr. Soe Win (MP-elect)

• Expresses serious concern about the violent attack on Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, her entourage and the arrest of 26 MPs-elect

• Strongly urges the authorities to release all detained MPs-elect

• Expresses serious doubts about the recently presented "road map", step one of which suggests that the National Convention to be reconvened; reaffirms its conviction that the National Convention is designed to prolong and legitimize military rule against the will of the people, as expressed in the 1990 elections, and thus stands in direct opposition to the principles enshrined the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that he "will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government"

The IPU also calls on its members to take stronger and more concerted action at the national and international levels to press for the respect of democratic principles in Myanmar (Burma). In addition, the IPU calls on its members to show their solidarity with their elected colleagues from the 'Pyithu Hluttaw', inter alia by supporting the Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP) and by setting up parliamentary support groups and campaigns.

For further information, please contact:

1. Maung Maung Latt (Secretary of MPU): Mobile: (+66) 1 733 3891 (Thailand)
2. Dr. Myint Cho (Director): Mobile: (+66) 9 017 6626 (Thailand)