The Associated Press
A draft statement by the United Nations Security Council calls on the government of Myanmar to allow Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader, and other political activists to speak freely and hold meetings before a May referendum on a new constitution.
The statement, prepared by the United States, Britain and France, was obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday as Aung San Suu Kyi's party urged voters to reject the draft constitution being backed by the military junta that governs the country. Her party, the National League for Democracy, said the draft constitution was undemocratic and prepared under the junta's direct control.
The Security Council statement is expected to be circulated soon to all 15 members, and it requires unanimous approval.
The draft statement "calls on the government of Myanmar to allow full participation of all political actors, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi" in the referendum process in order for it "to be inclusive and credible." Daw is a Burmese honorific.
Myanmar has been ruled by the military since 1962. The current junta seized power in 1988 and refused to honor the results of a 1990 general election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party. The Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is currently under house arrest, has been in detention without trial for more than 12 of the past 18 years.
Critics of the proposed constitution say it aims to perpetuate military rule.
The junta has been under strong international pressure to make democratic reforms, especially since it quashed peaceful pro-democracy protests last September. The United Nations estimated that at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained in the crackdown.
The draft Security Council statement expresses regret at the military government's "slow rate of progress" toward meeting the Council's call in September for a "genuine dialogue" with the pro-democracy opposition and the early release of all political prisoners and detainees.
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