Subsequently, in its resolution of 20 May 2010 on the situation in Burma, European Parliament expresses disapproval of the holding of elections under utterly undemocratic conditions and on the basis of rules which bar the main democratic opposition party and deprive hundreds of thousands of Burmese citizens of their right to vote and stand for election, in a clear attempt to exclude the country's entire opposition from the ballot.
European Parliament also urges the junta to take without delay the steps needed to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process, including the participation of all voters, all political parties and all other relevant stakeholders in the electoral process. And it also urge the junta to allow the presence of international observers; calls for the electoral laws published in March 2010, which make the holding of free and transparent elections impossible, to be repealed. In addition, it calls on the authorities of Burma to heed the appeals of the international community to allow Aung San Suu Kyi and all other prisoners of conscience to participate in the political process.
After the 18th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Madrid on 26 May, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations called on Burma's military rulers to make sure that this year's planned election is credible, transparent, democratic and inclusive.
In a joint statement, the EU and ASEAN ministers said they believed that the early release of those under detention, including the main opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, would contribute to making the election more inclusive and help bring about a peaceful political transition. The EU and ASEAN ministers also encouraged the Burmese regime to continue to engage in a meaningful manner with the international community.
But, in view of people of Burma, the said EU-ASEAN Joint statement is just a castle in the air. Both regional groups look as if supporting the junta's sham constitution and namesake election in 2010. In fact, they must condemn and warn the junta in order to repeal its unjust and undemocratic constitution. The EU and ASEAN ministers should also put a word of warning in the joint-statement that the election will not be legitimate if it is not all-encompassing one. The key question is that the junta's constitution and election laws not only allow the participation of main opposition parties but also ignore the ethnic people's political aspirations.
Although they have discovered the elephant in front of them, EU and ASEAN have been suggesting the unfortunate people to be patient to find out the foot-print of the creature. The EU-ASEAN Joint statement seems to be a proper letter and it may not deter the elections-at-the-gunpoint in Burma. The consequences may throw the nation into a fresh all-out civil war.
Without recognizing the 1990 election result, the military junta has been planning to launch another questionable election in near future. It's a brazen transgression toward the nation and its people. On the contrary, supporters of the NLD led by Aung San Suu Kyi around the nation gathered respectively on 27 May to mark the 20th anniversary of their dissolve unrecognized victory in the country's last elections. They will also mark the 7th anniversary of the Dapeyin Massacre or assassination plot of the Lady on 30 May 2003 done by the head of incumbent military regime.
As a result, the political scenario of Burma after 2010 elections looks gloomier then ever.(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
