Independent Diplomat

BURMA

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB)

ID advises the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), the "government-in-exile" of Burma on its diplomacy and political strategy. The NCGUB represents the last democratically elected government in Burma. In an election in 1990 the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory but the military rulers refused to allow the NLD to form a government. The NCGUB's objective is to promote a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma through diplomatic forums such as the UN Security Council, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU). It faces enormous challenges in making its voice heard in the international system as it has neither formal access to the UN nor diplomatic recognition.

Recent updates

Under the NCGUB's leadership at a Convention in August 2009 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Burma's key external democracy and ethnic groups united in a historical and unprecedented alliance to endorse a Proposal for National Reconciliation. The Proposal outlines a comprehensive strategy for an orderly and timely transition from military rule to democracy in Burma, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and a significant reform of the economy. This Proposal was an offer to the military junta to engage in a dialogue for such a gradual transition to democracy and development in Burma. It was also a blueprint for the holding of inclusive, fair and free elections in 2010.

Since the Jakarta Convention, the NCGUB has worked to maintain the unity of the alliance that participated in the Convention, and to prepare for a consistent, constructive and coordinated approach to the planned 2010 elections. Although no date has been set for the elections, they are widely expected to be held in 2010. In March, the military junta promulgated five election laws which prescribe the formation and makeup of an Election Commission and laws relating to registration of political parties, eligibility for membership of political parties, and candidacy. It is clear that the laws issued thus far are neither inclusive nor will they allow fair and free elections. For example, key leaders of the opposition, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, are not only prevented from seeking election, but they are forbidden to be members of a registered party. The NLD have announced that they will not participate in the elections, a decision that was supported by the Jakarta Alliance. On 6 May, the cutoff date for election registration, each boycotting party will lose its official status. This summer will be an intense period of re-evaluation and restructuring within the opposition movement as it gauges how best to promote democratic change in Burma in an environment of increasingly restricted political space.

• Read the Proposal: Proposal for National Reconciliation 
• Issued at the Convention: Joint Communiqué
• Visit the Movement’s website: www.mdren.org
• News coverage: Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Voice of America, BBC, UPI

Background

Burma was incorporated into Britain's Indian Empire in 1886 and administered as a province of British India until 1937, after which it achieved status as an autonomous colony. After World War II Burma regained its independence. General Aung San, father of opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, became Deputy Chairman of the country's transitional government, but was brutally assassinated in 1947 before having the chance to witness the creation in 1948 of the Union of Burma, an independent republic governed under a parliamentary democracy. After 14 years, the civilian-led government was ousted by a military coup.

The military dismantled all democratic institutions in the country, including the 1947 parliamentary constitution, and ruled the country without a constitution and under martial law for 12 years. A single-party constitution was introduced in 1974 and the military ruled the country in the name of the Burmese Socialist Program Party (BSPP).

The BSPP's misrule under a dictatorial, self-isolationist, and centralized economic system transformed a resource-rich Burma, once known as the Rice Bowl of Asia, into a destitute nation listed by the UN in 1987 as one of the world's least developed nations.

1990 Democratic Elections

In 1988, after 26 years of military control, the people of Burma rose up in nationwide protests that ended the BSPP's rule. In September of that year, however, the military staged another coup, killing hundreds of unarmed people on the streets. Because of the continuing unrest and with intensifying pressure from the international community, the military generals promised to hold "free and fair" elections in 1990. They allowed the formation of political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD). They also allowed BSPP leaders to form the National Unity Party. In July 1989, before the elections were held, the military placed popular NLD leaders General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Vice Chairman U Tin Oo under house arrest.

Despite these limitations, the NLD secured a landslide victory in the multi-party elections held in 1990. However, the generals refused to honour the results or turn over power to the NLD. They systematically tried to weaken the NLD by arresting more top leaders, elected representatives and activists. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, remains under house arrest, having spent more time under detention than in freedom since 1989. U Tin Oo was released in 2010. Some of the legitimately elected leaders of the 1990 elections decided to leave the country to continue the struggle abroad in support of the NLD and the people of Burma. They formed the National Coalition Government of the Union of the Burma (NCGUB) and serve as the government-in-exile.

Saffron Revolution

In 2007, Burma's military rulers increased prices of fuel oil -- up to 500% -- without warning the public. Thousands of Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists took to the streets, calling on the military junta to resolve problems arising from these oil price hikes. Peaceful marches led by Buddhist monks, known as the Saffron Revolution, were brutally repressed by the ruling regime, resulting in deaths, numerous arrests and raids on suspected sympathizers. Despite international outrage and condemnation, no effective action was taken against the military junta. 

Cyclone Nargis

In early May 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma's land and population, particularly in the Irrawaddy delta. Over 100,000 people were estimated to have been killed, and over 1 million left homeless. Damage totaled over US $4 billion, making Nargis the worst natural disaster in Burma's known history. Despite the gravity of the situation, the military junta initially blocked international disaster response, refusing entry to United Nations and international Red Cross emergency response teams and rebuffing aid from Western governments.

In the midst of this tragedy, the military junta forged ahead with a previously scheduled referendum on a constitution drafted by them in 2008. The referendum, which was held under conditions of harassment and intimidation, confirmed the military's 2008 constitution, entrenching the role of the military and mandating that elections be held in 2010.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial and house arrest

In early 2009, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was brought to trial by the regime for having breached the terms of her house arrest. Her sentence, originally three years in prison, was converted into 18 months of continued house arrest. She is anticipated to be released in November 2010 after the elections, the date for which has yet to be confirmed but is speculated to be 10 October 2010, given the numerological significance of 10-10-10.

2010 Elections

Burma's electoral laws that have been released thus far show no sign that the military is prepared to engage with the opposition or with the broader international community, including its neighbours. There is also no indication that the junta has taken into consideration the NLD's criteria for free and fair elections, as outlined in the Shwegondaing Declaration. The NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have stated that they will not contest the elections. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest and other opposition leaders remain incarcerated as political prisoners, unable by law to participate in the elections. While the focus is now very much on what is happening inside Burma - the need for the international community, especially within the region, to press for inclusive, free and fair elections in Burma has never been higher. There are no current signs that these elections will provide the legitimacy the current regime is seeking. Marty Natalegawa, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia recently asked:

"We would like to know about the practical implications of the recently issued electoral law to determine whether its substance meets the [Burma] government's commitment to hold a democratic, free and multi-party election. We hope Aung San Suu Kyi can participate in the election."

Other ASEAN member states have also expressed their concerns. During the ASEAN Summit in April 2010, Chairman and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung refrained from criticizing General Than Shwe but exhorted him to hold Burma's elections "in a free, fair and inclusive manner, thus contributing to Myanmar's stability and development".