Nobel Peace Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, has announced she will not take part in the upcoming elections in Burma. She outlined her opposition to the military regime in a six point message sent to her party. The National League for Democracy (NLD) reviewed her message at a meeting to decide the party’s position on the election and voted to boycott the elections.  Under the new election laws their decision means that the NLD will likely be abolished within six weeks. The party must now develop a strategy to remain relevant outside of formal politics.

Suu Kyi is aware that her declaration precedes an important visit by the Indonesian foreign minister. The foreign minister and the military junta are expected to discuss the new election laws. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is divided on how to respond to Burma’s new election rules. The United States has declared its disappointment with the military junta for the unfair election laws.

LEARN MORE

NLD Will NOT Register: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Six Point Message – Download the PDF.

Decision time in Burma for democracy’s advocates, The Washington Post, 30 March 2010.

Suu Kyi throws spanner in junta’s poll plan, The Bangkok Post, 30 March 2010.

US Blames Burmese Government for Opposition Election Boycott, Voice of America, 30 March 2010.

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