Myanmar opposition party says opponents of military-backed constitution assaulted

Santa Barbara News
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's main pro-democracy party charged Friday that intimidation and violence are being used against opponents of the military-backed constitution that will be voted on next month.

The National League for Democracy of detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said in a statement that several of its party members and activists who oppose the proposed constitution have been beaten up by unidentified assailants.

The party, which has urged voters to reject the draft charter in a May 10 referendum, charged that the military government is using underhanded means and force to silence opponents. Critics say the charter is a sham designed to perpetuate military rule and keep Suu Kyi from running for office.

It said no action had been taken when party members lodged police complaints about the attacks against them, with no investigations launched or arrests made.

Government officials or spokesmen could not be reached to comment on the allegations.

The party said that since the government announced in February it would hold the referendum, seven of its party members have been beaten up, with one requiring 21 stitches in his head.

It also said 20 other party members who were recently arrested for wearing T-shirts printed with the word ''No'' were tortured while being held for investigation in the western city of Sittwe.

The new constitution is supposed to be followed in 2010 by a general election, all according to a ''roadmap to democracy'' drawn up by the junta.

The government has launched an aggressive campaign in the state-controlled media with songs, cartoons, articles and slogans urging people to approve the constitution.

The draft constitution guarantees 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military and allows the president to hand over all power to the military in a state of emergency.

It also bans anyone who has enjoyed the rights and privileges of a foreign citizen from holding public office - a rule that would keep Suu Kyi out of government because her late husband was British.


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