Guwahati: Burma Centre Delhi and Journalists’ Forum Assam organized a “Consultation meeting on 2010 election in Burma and Its implication in North East India on 30 January 2010 at Guwahati Press Club, Assam. Mr. Sukumar Bagchi, editor of Songbad Lahari in his inaugural speech highlighted the historical ties of Burma and Northeast India and expressed his concerns for the democracy movement in Burma. He wishes that democracy will come soon and assured support on behalf of the Northeast people to the Burmese people who are struggling for the restoration of democracy in Burma.

The main speaker in the meeting Dr. Tint Swe, Exile Member of Parliament (NLD) stated that, we come here for mutual interest because India’s Look East Policy needs Burma to be fruitful and the neighbors are more important for Burmese struggle for democracy. We come here to consult with peoples of Northeast through this journalist forum because public opinion plays a definite role in India’s democracy. The election which is supposed to be held in 2010 should not simply be recognized like the elections in India because the 2008 constitution is not written by the people’s representatives and not accepted by the pro-democracy political parties of Burma. It should be reviewed before the election is held. The largest democracy India has definite responsibility to advocate for a free, fair and inclusive election in Burma.

Recommendation was adopted during the meeting which was endorsed by the participants. Other participants were Nava Thakuria, the main facilitator of the meeting, Mr. Kim from Burma Centre Delhi, one of the speakers, Dr. Alana Golmei, Burma Centre Delhi, who moderated the programme and around 40 journalists from different parts of Northeast India.

Recommendations:

People of India and Northeast India

Raise their voices for restoration of democracy in Burma without delay at the same time urge for free, fair and inclusive election under the scrutiny of the United Nations

To support the pro-democracy activists from Burma and be sympathetic to the asylum seekers from Burma

Government of India:

To review its policy with the military junta and advocate for emergence of a genuine democratic government in Burma

India should adopt an independent policy on Burma irrespective of Chinese influence in Burma

India must be cautious of the military’s mindset and must realize the game of military junta which is not honest.

To adopt a domestic refugee law and be sensitive to those seeking asylum from Burma in India

To pressurize junta to allow the exile Burmese to participate in the election

International Community:

To ensure the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political Prisoners including media persons and the supporters of democracy movement and allow them to move freely before the election

To ensure for independent and impartial observers during the polls

Military Government (SPDC) of Burma:

To review 2008 constitution and go for a proper national reconciliation before the election

To allow international Media free access to Burma during the election

To withdraw the censorship of Burmese Media inside Burma

To release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political Prisoners before the election

To allow all the Burmese exiles to participate in the election

For more information, please contact
Nava Thakuria
Journalists’ Forum Assam
Mob: 09864044917

Dr. Alana Golmei
Burma Centre Delhi
Mob: 09968291645