Huma Rights Abuses

MT Military

Government Information

1

After 10 years of trial period with Federated Union, Shan People have the option to secede from the Union as from 1958.

2

In 1959, Shan Rulers from 34 states agreed to relinquish their

power back to Shan People to honour the spirit of the 1947 Panglong Agreement and for the preservation of the Federal Union

3

In 174, a referendum was held in Shan State by the Burmese Military Regime of Ne Win to replace the 1947 Constitution by a new one. The Shan people were tortured, arrested or killed for voting against it. The 1974 Constitution was short-lived.

4

5

Genuine Federal Proposals were rejected four times by the Burmese Military Regime respectively in 1962, 1993, 1996 and recently at the June 2004 National Convention.

6

7

In more than 43 years were have been waiting for the political reform for a genuine federal Union , but that has not taken place. We think it never will for following reason:

(1)

The hard line Burmese nationalists believe that a Genuine Federation will break up the union which is unfound and therefore they feel that they have to hold on to power to stop the movement for a genuine federation.

(2)

The release of Daw Aung Saan Suu Kyi is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Even if she is released and with eventual tripartite Dialogue or discussion taking place, it will not lead to reconciliation. This is because the hard line military generals would still want complete control over the government.

(3)

We cannot foresee that Burma will return to a peaceful country in the near future as we have seen for the last 43 years as well as recently. The assassination attempt on Daw Aung Saan Suu Kyi at Depayin in May 2003 was an outright conspiracy to suppress the movement for democratic reform and reconciliation. The purge of Khin Nyunt demonstrates the intolerant nature and uncompromising chauvinistic attitude of the hard line Burman to any form of co-operation. They see everything as rivalry. This characteristic behavior is typical of hard line Burmese now in the ruling military junta.

(4)

Shan State has had the experience of being autonomous under separate administration following British annexation nearly 50 years from about 1900 until 1948. During this period the Shans have been living peacefully in harmony with other ethnic groups. We believe we can do it again.

(5)

Legally Shan State is independent based on the abrogation of the 1947 Panglong Agreement and 1948 Constitution and as stated in Section 2 of this constitution.

(6)

Shan State also qualifies to become a sovereign states under UN Charters based on the following criteria:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)