Free Burma Campaign Singapore statement on the 2010 Burma

elections (Media release)

February 12, 2010

Today, February 12, marks the 63rd anniversary of the Union Day of
Burma. To commemorate this important date, Free Burma Campaign
Singapore (FBCSG) is issuing a statement with regards to the
upcoming 2010 elections.

We call upon the regime to respect the voices and choices of the
people by carrying out a free and fair election. Before the elections
take place, we insist that the regime meets three crucial benchmarks:

1. The immediate release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung

San Suu Kyi.

2. National reconciliation: Inclusive dialogue with key stakeholders

from democracy groups and ethnic nationalities, including a
comprehensive review of the 2008 Constitution.

3. Total cessation of the systematic abuse of human rights and criminal

hostilities against ethnic groups, political activists, journalists and civil
society.

These benchmarks must be fulfilled before the elections in order to

provide equal opportunities for opposition politicians and Burmese
society at large. The elections cannot be presumed free and fair
without first meeting these conditions.

We at FBCSG also express concern at the fundamentally flawed

structure of the Constitution, which binds the electoral process and
beyond.

A high proportion of parliamentary powers is allocated to the military;

any proper mechanism for the protection of human rights is lacking.
Any election that takes place without a thorough review of the
Constitution will not bring about any political and social change in
Burma.

Contact us at burmacampaignsg@gmail.com or our spokesperson, Ho

Choon Hiong at +65 91018638

http://freeburmacampaignsg.wordpress.com