Supreme Court Rejects NLD Lawsuit

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The supreme court in Rangoon rejects an attempt by the NLD to sue Snr-Gen Than Shwe for implementing unfair election laws.

The supreme court in Rangoon on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit against military junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe filed by Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), according to a statement released by the NLD.

Three NLD leaders––Nyan Win, Tin Oo and Aung Shwe ––had earlier on Tuesday filed the lawsuit, an attempt to sue the chairman of the State Peace and Development Council by NLD Chairman Aung Shwe.

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However, an official at the supreme court reportedly told the NLD leaders that the court does not have the power to handle the case, and returned the documents at 12:30 p.m.

The statement claimed that the election laws are unfair and one-sided. The NLD pointed to an election law that prohibits its leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, from participating in the general election as she is currently under house arrest.

The statement said that the law violates the right of political parties and is counter to the spirit of a democratic system.

One of the five election-related laws released on March 8 prohibits anyone convicted of a crime or serving a sentence from being a member of a political party, and instructs parties to expel convicted members or face de-registration.

NLD spokesman Khin Maung Swe said the election laws released by the military regime on March 8 are unfair and that the party was calling for a review and amendment of the laws.

“We didn't expect much from the court,” he said. “But we want everyone to know that our party does not accept unjust election laws.”

Nyan Win told The Irrawaddy that Suu Kyi said that forcing any political detainees out of their parties and banning them from voting because of their imprisonment is a double punishment.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years.

The NLD has written a letter to junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe requesting permission for its leaders to meet with Suu Kyi to discuss future policies.