Burmese Government Blocks Others from Constitution Drafting Process
By Jane Clark
December 5, 2007 | Printer Friendly

The Associated Press writes that the Burmese government has declared that only a government appointed panel will be allowed to participate in drafting their constitution.  Earlier, they had made promises to allow multiple political groups to be involved in the process. Burmese officials are now saying that it would be inappropriate to suggest that an outside body assist with the procedure, and that the participation of anyone beyond the panel would further complicate the process.  BBC News reports that they have specifically barred Aung San Suu Kyi from contributing.  The Burmese government has made it a criminal offense to criticize the proposed charter. 

According to BBC News, officials in Burma say that the new constitution is the third stage of their “seven stage path to democracy.”  Most governments consider the process a sham, since it is completely government controlled.

The Department of State issued a statement condemning the Burmese government’s refusal to include other organizations in the process:

“We condemn the Burmese regime’s rejection of meaningful participation for Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic and ethnic minority leaders in the process of drafting a national constitution. The regime’s December 3 statement to the diplomatic corps makes clear that Senior General Than Shwe and his regime have no intention to begin a genuine, inclusive dialogue necessary for a democratic transition with these parties as called for by the international community, including Burma’s neighbors, UN Adviser Gambari, ASEAN, and the UN Security Council.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s November 8 statement made clear that she remains committed to meaningful and time-bound talks with Burma’s ruling generals and welcomes the UN Secretary General’s good offices in facilitating such a dialogue. It is Than Shwe and his senior generals who are obstructing progress toward democratization in Burma.
Despite the regime’s announced amnesty of prisoners this week, an estimated 1,800 political prisoners and detainees remain behind bars in Burma. The United States reiterates its call for Than Shwe to release Aung San Suu Kyi and countless other detainees and political prisoners as a necessary condition for a genuine dialogue with democratic and ethnic minority groups on a transition to a civilian, democratic government in Burma.”
Links:

Associated Press: Myanmar to Restrict Drafting Constitution

BBC News: Burma Rules Out NLD Reform Role

State Department: Burmese Excludes Key Parties from Constitution Drafting