SLORC RESTRICTIONS ON DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION

 

The following are translated excerpts from the booklet "Discipline, Rules and Regulations for the National Convention", distributed by the SLORC to all delegates to the current National Convention.

 

 

Chapter 1 - Aims of the National Convention

 

In drafting a sustainable and strong Constitution for the State, all discussions should be based on and fall within the framework of the following Aims:

 

a) To prevent disintegration of the Union

 

b) To sustain ethnic unity

 

c) To protect national sovereignty

 

d) To develop a genuine multi-party system

 

e) To promote and develop freedom, equality and Lokapala Dharma

 

f) To establish a participatory and leadership role for the Armed forces in the future national politics of Burma.

 

 

Chapter 2 - Duties and responsibilities of the Chairmen and Representatives to the National Convention

 

Representatives to attend the National Convention:

 

By prescription of the National Convention Council, the following are entitled to attend the National Convention meetings:

 

a) Representatives from political parties

 

b) Elected Representatives from the last general election

 

c) Representatives of the ethnic minorities

 

d) Representatives of the peasants and cultivators

 

e) Representatives of the workers

 

f) Representatives of the intellectuals and technicians

 

g) Representatives of the civil servants

 

h) Other elite representatives as invited

 

 

Duties and responsibilities of representatives

 

a) All existing State laws, orders and directives must be obeyed by the representatives.

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f) The confidentiality of the National Convention must be maintained.

 

g) All duties and responsibilities given to representatives by the Chairmen should be fulfilled completely.

 

 

Duties and responsibilities of Chairmen

 

d) If a National Convention representative's behaviour is not according to the discipline and regulations of the National Convention, the Chairman concerned will give him warning.  If he does not heed the warning the Chairman should expel him from the meeting, and if necessary consider further action.  The Chairman concerned should put the case before the council of chairmen.

 

Selection of Chairmen

 

The following committee will select the group chairmen:

 

a) National Convention coordinating committee                             5 members

 

b) Elected representatives and political party reps                         10 members

 

c) Ethnic minority representatives                                               5 members

 

d) Peasants' and cultivators' Representatives                      5 members

 

e) Workers' Representatives                                                       5 members

 

f) Civil servants' Representatives                                        5 members

 

g) Intellectuals' and Technicians' Representatives                         5 members

 

h) Other elite representatives                                                      5 members

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 - Meeting Places and Times

 

Fifty percent attendance is sufficient for each meeting to be declared a legal one.

 

 

Chapter 4 - Rules for Discussion

 

(Section 24)

a) Representatives must not use any words that may damage loyalty to the State.

 

b) Representatives must not use any words which contribute to subversion of the Union, disrupt unity of the Ethnic Peoples, or subvert National Sovereignty.

 

c) Nothing should be said or discussed which is in the interests of people or organisations which are not within the law.

 

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(Section 29)

b) Representatives must submit a written account of their planned discussions to their respective Chairman.

 

c) Subjects for the agenda within each group can be discussed within that group.

 

d) No subject which has not been agreed upon within a group can be presented to the National Convention.

 

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j) A representative to the National Convention should read only his written discussions which have been sent in advance to the group Chairman for approval.  He should not discuss andy matter which has not been included in his paper.  Should he do so, his discussion will not be recorded.

 

(Page 26)

k) Walkouts, individually or in groups, and any other shows of protest, are not allowed.

 

 

Chapter 5 - Prohibitions

 

a) To lobby or influence other representatives is prohibited.

 

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c) No one should disturb either the representatives or the security guards in exercising their duties.

 

d) Wearing badges of any kind or trying to distribute leaflets or propaganda of any kind are prohibited.

 

e) No paper or leaflets of any sort which have not been approved by the National Convention working committee are allowed to be brought in to either lodging or meeting places.

 

f) Subjects listed as confidential at the National Convention must not be revealed or taken outside in any form.

 

 

Chapter 6 - Suspension of National Convention representatives

 

All laws, orders and directives of the State and of the National Convention must be upheld.  Any representative failing to do so shall be suspended from the meeting.

 

If a representative fails to attend a meeting for two consecutive days, the Committee will decide whether he should be ousted from the meeting.