The Draft Constitution of Federal
Republic of the Union of Burma
The FCDCC Press Conference
Foreign Correspondent Club, Bangkok,
Thailand
15 February 2008
A milestone occurred this week in the history of Burma’s long
struggle toward democracy. On this auspicious day of the 61st anniversary of
the Union Day, the Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee
(FCDCC) adopted the second draft of the constitution “Federal Republic of the
Union of Burma” based on democracy, federalism, equality, and
self-determination for all the people of Burma, which has been drawn up in
accordance with the 8 Basic Principles adopted since February 12, 2005.
The FCDCC acts with the mandate of the Burma Democracy Movement, including
Members of Parliament elected in Burma’s last free election in 1990,
ethnic nationality groups, women’s groups and youth groups. After three days of
debate and deliberation in the 2nd Federal Constitution Seminar held from
February 10, 2008 to February 12, 2008, 126 participants from 97 Organizations
unanimously signed the Second Draft of the constitution of “Federal Republic
of the Union of Burma” as an officially adopted draft constitution for future Burma.
The draft constitution is to be used for open debate and discussion among the
people to get their input and feedback. The FCDCC will use the constitutional
process to foster national reconciliation and to initiate talks with the
Military Regime, who to date refuse to negotiate with those desiring democratic
change in Burma.
Importantly it gives expression to eight key principles that reflect the will
of democratic forces and Ethnic Nationalities inside and outside
Burma.
Since the draft constitution of “Federal
Republic of the Union of
Burma”, strongly guarantees equality and self-determination for all
nationalities, we see no need for and in no way, will demand or exercise the
right to secession. We conclude that the much trumpeted "without the SPDC
military clique, Burma
will disintegrate" is nothing but the SPDC's propaganda to instill fear
and concern in the international community.
Hkun Okker, Vice-Chairman of FCDCC, today condemned the Military Regime
of Burma for proceeding to hold a national referendum to in May 2008 that does
not represent the people of Burma.
Instead, the SPDC’s National Convention and its 7 step Road Map seeks to
constitutionally mandate military rule.
Dr. Lian H Sakhong, Secretary of the FCDCC of the Union of Burma, said
“We challenge Senior General Than Shwe, Burma’s Supreme leader, to make the
SPDC’s 7 step roadmap more inclusive and democratic as we in the FCDCC process
have. Our process is free from censorship and control.” “FCDCC knows that
for peace to prevail in Burma
all political groups must come together to reach a political agreement that can
produce a constitutional framework for the democracy and equality that all
people desire.”
Thin Thin Aung, another Secretary of the FCDCC, also said, “We invite
the international community to reflect upon the contrast between our
constitutional process and the military-dominated process taking place at the
National Convention. We believe that attention to this contrast demonstrates
our preparedness to begin the transition to constitutional democracy.”
The FCDCC represents the exiled Burmese democratic forces and ethnic
nationalities political organizations and has strong links within political
organizations and grass roots leaders inside Burma.
PREAMBLE
We the peoples of the Federal Republic
of the Union of Burma, with complete faith in the universal principles of
freedom, equality and justice, do hereby adopt this Constitution for the Federal Republic of the Union of Burma in order
to establish a multi-national country that is peaceful, prosperous,
and enduring.
In the land of this Federal Union, many different nationalities have lived,
each with their own sovereignty and independence, ever since ancient
times. Although each nationality lived independently for most
of its history, they all fell under the long occupation and servitude of the
British colonialists. In order to regain its own freedom more quickly,
each nationality joined with the others so as to obtain independence from the
colonial power together, and they thus formed a Federal Union at the Panglong
Conference in the year 1947.
The Conference unanimously adopted the Panglong Agreement which guaranteed
ethnic equality, self-determination, and democratic rights. Although the
Agreement promised that the new states of the union could govern themselves,
those in power failed to implement the Agreement. Civil war ensued for
more than half a century, during which countless lives were sacrificed and
natural resources wasted. Since 1962, the peoples of Burma have suffered under a series of
dictatorial regimes with different names but a common history of denying
democratic rights, human rights, and the rights of self-determination for
ethnic nationalities who joined the Union as
equal partners in 1947. We shall never forget the heart-breaking experiences
that the people of the Federal Union have had to endure.
In order to prevent a recurrence of the mistakes of the past and to realize the
future aspirations of all our peoples, we based this Constitution on the
fundamental principles of political equality for all ethnic nationalities, the
rights of self-determination for all member states of the Federal Union, and
the democratic rights for all citizens. This Constitution further provides
guarantees for human rights and gender equality; minority rights for all
religious and ethnic groups; and the separation of politics and religion. In
order to prevent the recurrence of military dictatorship, this Constitution
enshrines civilian control of the armed forces.
We establish this Constitution so as to secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and future generations. Banishing all the past outrages,
shattering the dark, shining the light, and establishing the dignity of the
Federal Union among the family of nations, this Constitution shall become the
highest law of the Federal
Republic of the Union of
Burma.
We the peoples of the Republic of the Federal Union of Burma, with complete
faith in the universal principles of freedom, equality and justice, do hereby
adopt this Constitution for the Federal
Republic of the Union of
Burma in order to establish a multi-national country that is peaceful,
prosperous, and enduring.
In the land of this Federal Union, many different nationalities have lived,
each with their own sovereignty and independence, ever since ancient times.
Although each nationality lived independently for most of its history, they all
fell under the long occupation and servitude of the British colonialists. In
order to gain its own freedom more quickly, each nationality joined with the
others so as to obtain independence from the colonial power together, and thus
they formed a federal union at the Panglong Conference in the year 1947.
The Conference unanimously adopted the Panglong Agreement which guaranteed
ethnic equality, self-determination, and democratic rights. Although the
Agreement promised that the states of the union could govern themselves, those
in power failed to implement the Agreement. Civil war ensued for more than half
a century, during which countless lives were sacrificed and natural resources
wasted. Since 1962, the peoples of Burma
have suffered under a series of dictatorial regimes with different names but a
common history of denying democratic rights, human rights, and the rights of
self-determination for ethnic nationalities who joined the Union
as equal partners in 1947. We shall never forget the heart-breaking experiences
that the people of the Federal Union have had to endure.
In order to prevent a recurrence of the mistakes of the past and to realize the
future aspirations of all our peoples, we based this Constitution on the
fundamental principles of political equality for all ethnic nationalities, the
rights of self-determination for all member states of the Federal Union; and
the democratic rights for all citizens. This Constitution further provides
guarantees for human rights and gender equality; minority rights for all
religious and ethnic groups; and the separation of politics and religion. In
order to prevent the recurrence of military dictatorship, this Constitution
enshrines civilian control of the armed forces.
We establish this Constitution so as to secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and future generations. Banishing all the past outrages, shattering
the dark, shining the light, and establishing the dignity of the Federal Union
among the family of nations, this Constitution shall become the highest law of
the Republic of the Federal Union of Burma.
Contact Persons:
1. Dr. Lian H. Sakhong (081-02 96 100)
2. Hkun Okker (081- 95 02 158)
3. Thin Thin Aung (087- 08 11 289)
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ENC Information Team
P.O. Box (49)
Chiang Mai
University P.O
Chiang Mai 50202
Thailand
http://www.encburma.org/enc/enc_info.htm