Burma Constitutional Conference Held In London

22 December, 2009: A two-day seminar entitled 'Burma Constitutional Conference' was held at South Bank University in London on 19 and 20 December 2009, discussing on the unilaterally adopted junta's 2008 constitution and its consequences.

The seminar also looked into possibilities and ways for ending impunity in Burma and seeking criminal accountability to bring Burma's regime to International Criminal Court.

The event, organised by FBE (Forum of Burmese in Europe) in partnership with UK-based Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) and Burma Initiative Coordination Committee (BICC), had General Secretary of Burma Lawyers' Council (BLC), U Aung Htoo, as its special speaker.

A seminar paper by U Aung Htoo said the SPDC will be transformed into the NDSC (National Defense and Security Council), which is a new bottle with the old wine, and it will endeavour to rule the country indefinitely in accordance with the constitution.

About 70 people including representatives of various political organisations and Burma's ethnic nationalities attended the seminar.

Chin pastor Rev. Shwekey Hoipang said: "This conference is very informative and helpful in order to have a better understanding of the SPDC's 2008 constitution and its consequences. The speaker makes a clear comparison and explanation on the previous constitutions drafted in 1947 and 1974. The seminar has an insighful analysis and discussion on the 2008 constitution and also highlights the negative impacts of the constitution and how they can poison the future of our country."

"There is a serious concern for all the ethnic nationalities in Burma because the 2008 constitution is lack of equality, self-determination and federalism. It is not a constitution that protects and promotes the rights, identities and religions of the ethnic nationalities," added the Christian pastor of Southern Chin State.

The Forum of Burmese in Europe (FBE), founded in the 1990s by senior Burmese exiles from Germany and the UK, represents a network of Burmese communities across Europe and is advocating for democracy, social justice and human rights in Burma. It strongly rejects the military dictatorial rule in Burma and has been working closely with the democratic forces around the world.