BLC: Call to lawyers and internatio

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Burma Lawyers' Council's Call to Lawyers in Burma and Request to
the International Legal Community

(September 10, 1998)

Eight years after its election, the National League for Democracy
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has announced the convening of the
People's Assembly.

The people elected 485 representatives of the People's Assembly n
May 27, 1990 in accordance with 1989 People's Assembly Election
Law. The members of the People's Assembly were validly elected
and are entitled to convene the People's Assembly at any time.
The elected representatives are now preparing to convene the
People's Assembly with or without the cooperation of the
military. As a result, the military has increased the
persecution, imposing unlawful restrictions on many elected
representatives and unlawfully detaining many others.

It is time to re-establish a judiciary independent from political
influence and to found a legal system in which all people are
treated equal and in which no one is above the law. A new legal
system where the military and the police are subject to the law.
Where citizens are entitled to a free and fair trial, to present
a proper defense, to freely engage a lawyer of their choice, and
to appeal against an unjust decision of the court. Where citizens
may live without fear of arbitrary detention or punishment. Where
the rule of law prevails. In this system the Lawyers are the
guardian of justice. The respected advocates of human rights. A
noble profession. 

It is now time for all lawyers and the legal profession in Burma
to make a stand and to act. Many members of the National League
for Democracy and other elected representatives have bee arrested
in recent days as the People's Assembly prepares to convene. Many
more arrests are expected. The people and their elected
representatives are calling on the legal profession to stand up
for the rule of law and democracy. We call on all lawyers in
Burma to make a stand by:
*Publicly endorsing the convening of the People's Assembly,
*Providing legal assistance to the elected representatives and
the people in respect of all forms of persecution by the
military, and
*Actively campaigning for the restoration of the Rule of Law.

The BLC also requests the international legal community to
recognize the legitimacy of the elected representatives to
convene the People's Assembly and to extend legal assistance to
the people for the restoration of the Rule of Law in Burma.

Burma Lawyer's Council

For more information, please contact 66-1-814 9943, 66-1-308
1994, 66-920 8286
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The Burma Lawyers' Council is an independent organisation. It is
neither aligned not is it the authority of any political
organisation. It has been formed individual lawyers and legal
academics who have joined together of their free will to form
this organisation.