Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) that won the most seats in Shan State in the 1990 nation-wide elections says if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, considered the most trusted Burman by the ethnic people, and her party National League for Democracy (NLD) decide to take part in the upcoming by-elections with no release of all the imprisoned ethnic leaders, student leaders of 88 generation, leading monks and other political prisoners, she may likely lose the trust, support and hopes of the ethnic nationalities, according to SNLD spokesperson Sai Leik.
The statement referred to reports about the Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi considering running in by-elections in the coming months after her party NLD re-registers under a recently amended electoral law.
“We understand that Daw Aung San Su Kyi is trying hard to gain the release of political prisoners and to achieve a genuine democracy, but I'm afraid participating in the elections without first achieving at least the release of political prisoners is a good idea. We are worried ethnic nationalities will never dare to trust her again,” said Sai Leik.
Daw Aung San Su Kyi told on Tuesday that her party will hold a major party conference on Friday, 18 November, to decide whether or not it should re-register as a political party and contest seats in the parliament. It is not clear when the elections will be held. There are around 50 seats available in parliament.
However, the SNLD said it has yet to consider taking part unless their imprisoned leaders are released. The NLD and SNLD were officially disbanded in September 2010 due to their boycott of last year's elections.
The said leaders are Khun Htun Oo, Chairman of the party, his secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin and leading party member Sai Hla Aung. The three together with 6 other Shan activists were imprisoned by the junta authorities on charges of defamation of the state, association with illegal parties and conspiracy against the state. One of them, Sao Hso Ten, former leader of the Shan State Army (North) was released on 12 October.
Last week, the family members and party members submitted a letter to the National Human Rights Commission to review their case.
On Monday, the Burmese government was expected to free more political prisoners, but the latest reports say the move was put off at the last minute by the National Defense and Security Council, according to AFP report.
According to Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP), Burma has over 2,000 political prisoners.
Another report says, five Buddhist monks staged a protest in Mandalay today, calling for peace and immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.
