Right Hon.

Stephen Harper

Prime Minister

The Government of Canada

December 10, 2009

Dear Prime Minister

On November 17, 2009, Global Action for Burma (GAB) is launching a global action
month against the Burmese military regime’s sham 2010 election. GAB is a common
advocacy platform for Burmese democracy activists living inside and outside Burma.
Over 100 Burmese pro-democracy organizations, including activists in Canada,
students, monks and ethnic nationalities organizations inside and outside Burma, are
actively participating in GAB actions.

On behalf of GAB, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government
of Canada and your leadership in imposing the toughest sanctions against Burmese
military regime and in providing much needed humanitarian assistance to the people at
the border.

Today on International Human Rights Day, we write this letter to you to inform you of
what is really happening in Burma.

The junta adopted the 2008 sham constitution unilaterally and now is planning to hold an
election in 2010. Our experiences have taught us to be sceptical of the junta. The
Burmese military regime is the one, and only one in the world, who always breaks its
promises and yet keeps on giving promises.

There are over 2100 political prisoners in Burma including our national democratic
leader, and Honourary Canadian Citizen, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

There have been more arrests of political activists and more restrictions of freedom.
Furthermore, the regime is forcing ethnic cease-fire groups to agree to a “Border Guard”
proposal in order to cement the military’s hold on power and to continue their ethnic
cleansing activities.

It should not be forgotten that in spite of promises made by the military junta before the
1990 election, they did not relinquish power when they lost the election. Even though
Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a
landslide victory the junta chose to ignore the election results and the voice of the people
of Burma.

Now to insure they will not lose the 2010 election they have intensified the arrests of
democratic proponents and concocted charges against Aung San Suu Kyi to eliminate
her participation and influence in this sham election. Ironically the architects of the 1990
election are the very same generals who have plotted this latest scam to nullify the voice
of the people in this rigged election.
On April 29 2009, the NLD issued “Shwe-Gone-Dine” Declaration in an effort to resolve
the crisis in Burma. The National League for Democracy (NLD), the unanimous victors of
the 1990 election, clearly stated their position of what is needed in order to have true
national reconciliation and for the NLD to consider participation in the 2010 election.
They are:

1 Unconditional release of all the political prisoners

2. Review of 2008 Constitution

3. Allow the reopening of the NLD and ethnic nationalities offices

4. Recognition of the 1990 election result

5. Genuine political dialogue between Sr. General Than Shwe and Aung San Suu
Kyi; and dialogue with the ethnic nationalities.

These are the fundamental demands requested by legitimate leaders of Burma.

Before we could possibly address the junta’s proposed 2010 election, we must address
the validity of the 2008 constitution. Drafted by the junta, this document is far from
credible or constitutional. Free, fair and all inclusive is not what this document
represents.

Legitimizing the criminal regime was not the will of the people and this is
incomprehensible and totally unacceptable to the Burmese people. Our aspirations for
democracy by nonviolent means are well documented.

Recently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has sent a letter to the junta’s head,
Senior General Than Shwe, saying that she would like to co-operate with
the junta for the benefit of the people of Burma and also requesting
to meet with him.

The People of Burma look to the leaders of international community in an effort to garner
support for a democratic Burma. We would be very grateful if you could add your voice
to call for the junta’s positive response to Shwe-Gone-Dine” Declaration. Above all
please call for junta to respond positively to Aung San Suu Kyi’s humble proposal for
having dialogue.

Canada and the international community should prepare to denounce the regime’s 2010
election if the regime goes ahead with the election by ignoring requests from Aung San
Suu Kyi, the NLD and the ethnic nationalities and if the regime ignores the UN and
international community demand for an inclusive, credible, free and fair election.

The dictatorship in Burma is accused of committing crimes against humanity for its
widespread and systematic human rights abuses, including torture, forced displacement,
sexual violence, extra-judicial killings and forced labour. Yet no government is speaking
out on this issue. It is the time Canada to support the United Nations Commission of
Inquiry, and referral of the situation in Burma to the International Criminal Court.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Ven. Ashin Kawwida

Chairman, International Burmese Monks Organization (Canada)

Zaw Kyaw / Saion Nammao

Spokespersons, Burmese Ethnic Nationalities Network – Canada

Win Maung

President, Burmese Muslim Association (Canada)

Tin Htut

Chairman, Burmese Students Democratic Organization Canada

Paul Copeland

Spokesperson, Canadian Campaign for Free Burma

Kyaw Sithu

Free Burma Federation

Aung Tin

Chairman, National League for Democracy LA Canada Branch

Timothy Zaw Zaw

United Democratic Youth League (Canada Branch)