Burma: a move away from democracy

This evening the regime in Burma announced it would be holding a referendum on a new constitution in May, and elections in 2010. This is not the breakthrough for which we have been campaigning (see previous blog entries). In fact, it is an attempt by the regime to cling on to power by insisting the military have 25% of seats and a veto. The Burma Campaign have just released a press release here. The regime lost the election in 1990 and so ignored the result - it seems this time they plan to rig every stage to ensure military victory.

As Mark Farmaner, of the Burma Campaign said: “It is about preserving military rule and avoiding economic sanctions. The international community must not be fooled again. The United Nations Security Council must take action. In addition, the UK and EU must impose further targeted sanctions to help force the regime to the negotiating table.”