National League for Democracy
No. (97/b) West Shwegondine Street
Bahan Township, Yangon
Special Statement 9/05/08
Date: 7 May 2008
In statement No. 4/2008, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) declared
a State of Emergency in Irrawaddy, Yangon, and Pegu Divisions and Karen and Mon
States as a result of Cyclone Nargis’s devastating destruction on the 2nd and 3rd of
May 2008.
Because of the storm, hundreds of thousand of people have died and remain missing.
The storm caused catastrophic and unprecedented damage of people’s property in
Burma. Victims and their relatives, including ethnic nationalities, are overwhelmed by
their loss. Under these circumstances, people have no desire to vote in the upcoming
referendum. However, in spite of the people’s plight, authorities adamantly plan to
hold the referendum. As authorities neglect people’s basic needs and struggles for
food, shelter, and clothing, they continue to work with supporting organizations to
coerce people to vote “yes” in the referendum in support of their constitution.
On 6 May 2008, the Referendum Convening Commission of the Union of Burma
issued Statement 8/2008 confirming that the referendum will be held on 10 May 2008
in all states and divisions except 40 townships in Yangon division and 7 townships in
Irrawaddy division. It further declared that the referendum for the remaining 47
townships will be held on 24 May 2008. Aid needs and reconstruction work in these
States of Emergency will not be finished by 24 May 2008.
Authorities continue to exploit people's difficulties. The Referendum should be
postponed in all parts of the country, not only in some parts. Convening the
referendum under these dire conditions is deplorable. Therefore, the NLD demands
that the referendum be held simultaneously in all parts of the country once the
conditions in the country have improved.
NLD reprimands authorities for prioritizing approval of their constitution over
people's lives and basic survival needs.
At the present time, victims of the storm need immediate international aid, including
aid from the United Nations. On behalf of the people, the NLD denounces the
authorities’ attempt to hold a referendum instead of accepting disaster relief aid for
the suffering victims of this disaster.
As per the decision of Central Executive Committee held on 7 May 2008.
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Yangon
(Unofficial translation)
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