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Burma: Referendums

Volume 473: debated on Friday 14 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the role that the Union Solidarity Development Association will have in (a) organising local-level voting and (b) other respects in the referendum and proposed elections in Burma. (193465)

While the precise role of the Union Solidarity Development Association is as yet unknown, we believe that the regime in Burma will use its membership in the election process to secure the result that it desires. We do not discount the possibility that the semi-government social organisation will play a central role both in the organisation of the voting and counting processes and in supporting the ‘yes’ vote for the forthcoming referendum in Burma. This would further undermine the credibility of the regime’s roadmap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the rules for the conduct of the proposed constitutional referendum in Burma, with particular reference to those which indicate that the regime will not take account of abstentions and no votes. (193466)

On 27 February 2008 the State Peace and Development Council issued the referendum law, announcing a referendum committee and setting out regulations on electoral rolls, voting and counting procedures for the proposed constitutional referendum. The regulation (Chapter VIII 22 (a)(l)) states

“votes in favour, votes against and cancelled votes shall be differentiated and counted”.

There is no indication that abstentions and no votes will be ignored. It is, however, unclear what percentage of the vote will be needed for the constitution to be passed. We continue to press, bilaterally and through the UN, for a credible process that allows people to voice their views freely, including political prisoners and ethnic nationalities, and responds to the aspirations of the people of Burma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on Burma’s military regime new law which will result in the potential imprisonment of anyone who distributes leaflets or delivers speeches against the proposed constitutional referendum. (193467)

On 27 February, the State Peace and Development Council issued the referendum law, announcing a referendum committee and setting out regulations on electoral rolls, voting and counting procedures for the proposed constitutional referendum. One element of the regulation is a ban on public or private anti-referendum activities. The crime carries a sentence of up to three years or a heavy fine. The regulation is clearly intended to silence opposition. Unless the process allows people to express their views on the referendum freely, including those who have been silenced by their detention, the process will not be credible, neither to the people of Burma nor to the international community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the proposed referendum on the draft constitution in Burma will be free and fair. (193468)

We have consistently made clear that only an inclusive process of national reconciliation can bring stability and prosperity to the country. Laws that make it a crime to criticise the referendum and to campaign against it are also unacceptable. The regime’s attempts to exclude certain groups and individuals from the political process fail to meet international demands and will exacerbate tension and instability in Burma. In our contacts with the military government, and those who have influence over them, we continue to stress the need for all political actors, including Aung San Suu Kyi and all political leaders, as well as political organisations representing ethnic nationalities, to be allowed to play their full part in shaping the country’s future.