ABC Friday, May 2, 2008
The US based Human Rights Watch has described Burma's referendum next week on a new constitution as a "sham", aimed at entrenching the military junta.
The international rights group says widespread repression, a lack of media freedom, bans on political meetings and arrests of opponents of the constitution showed conditions for a free and fair vote did not exist.
Meanwhile, Burma's top general has urged the people to vote in favour of a new constitution.
In a May Day message, Than Shwe said workers should back the charter because workers' representatives had played a part in drafting it.
Burmese authorities say the charter will pave the way for polls in 2010, but critics say it is aimed primarily at further entrenching military rule.
The charter bans detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from office.
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