Burma’s recent election was not fair for the parties involved as equal opportunities and rights were dishonoured especially for ethnic minorities, says the Coalition of Burma Ethnics, Malaysia.

The election run by the military junta is based on the constitution drawn in 2008 which in fact is not a federal constitution but a mere union constitution which will never allow the ethnic minorities self-determination.
The election law itself is not fair for parties as equal opportunities and rights are dishonoured especially for ethnic minorities. With the excuse of security, many polls are barred where the military-based parties are uncertain to win the election.
Human rights are greatly violated so that all citizens are not allowed to vote.
Time limitation, financial deposits and unfair criteria hinder community-based parties from a wide array of participation.
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Thus, we, coalition of Burma Ethnics, Malaysia (COBEM), are totally against this militarily well-planned and systematically arranged election. We foresee an increasing civil war between the ruling military junta and ethnic armed-groups after the election. We further have a great concern about the possible increase of the Burma refugee population in neighboring countries such as Malaysia.
Executive Committee
Coalition of Burma Ethnics, Malaysia (Cobem)
Kuala Lumpur
6 November 2010
The Coalition of Burma Ethnics, Malaysia (Cobem), founded in 2007 to respond to the needs of the ethnic refugees from Burma living in Malaysia, are a community-based organisation representing the different ethnic minorities from Burma. It was formed to organise, assist, empower and protect our respective communities out of a recognition that community-based operations in Malaysia would benefit from increased resource sharing and cooperation.
This statement is prepared by the executive committee of the Cobem with resources provided by many politicians, ethnic leaders in Malaysia and NGOs. With the cause that Burma refugees are unable to return to their homelands due to political unfairness, religious persecution, racial discrimination, we, COBEM, are motivated to declare this statement from the refugee’s point of view.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme