Representatives at the recently held second Chin National Assembly have pointed out that the forthcoming Burmese military junta proposed 2010 general elections cannot usher in welfare and equal rights for national ethnic groups in the country.

“The 2008 constitution of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) on which the polls will be based is to legitimize the junta’s rule. So the 2010 election will not be the end of our movement,” said Mr. Ralhnin General Secretary of the Chin National Council.

The first Chin National Assembly was held in Mount Sinai in Manipur 2006.

There are four Chin national political parties – the Chin National Front, the Chin National League for Democracy, Mara People’s Party (Liberated Area) and the Zomi National Congress in the Chin National Council. The CNC had four representatives from each organization.

However, in the second assembly other organizations joined the CNC. They were the Women League of Chin Land, the Chin Student and Youth Federation and the Chin Civil Societies Network.

The second Chin National Assembly was held from November 18 to 20 in the Indo-Myanmar border area. The participants were from the Chin national political parties, the armed group, students, women and Members of Parliament of the 1990 elections in Burma.

At the conference the members discussed past year’s activities and future plans; A political analysis was done of the current situation and how to face the 2010 general elections in Burma. In its resolution it supported the stand of the National League for Democracy taken in the ‘Shwegondine Declaration’ but opposed the SPDC’s election and its guidelines.

It also fully supported the responses of the ethnic armed groups regarding cease fire between them and the military regime as the national ethnic groups need to maintain their rights and struggle for freedom till the end. The CNC thanked some NGOs and donors helping Chin people suffering from the effects of famine.  

The Chin National Assembly is held once every four years. The Assembly elected Dr. Lian H. Sakhong, Pu Thang Yen, Salai Cin Zah, and Pu Thang Lian Pau as presidiums Dr. Lian H. Sakhong, Pu Thang Yen, Salai Cin Zah, and Pu Thang Lian Pau as presidiums and Pu H.C. Ral Hnin for the General Secretary, Pi Hmangaihzuali and Pu Thang Len Piang for Assistant General Secretaries.