National Convention

The National Convention was a constitutional body established by Myanmar's State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in 1993. Its stated purpose was to formulate the basic principles for a new constitution after the military authorities declined to transfer power following the 1990 general election. Although the assembly included representatives from political parties, ethnic groups, social categories, and elected parliamentary candidates, its composition and procedures were heavily controlled by the military government. The body was created under Order No. 13/92, following six principles announced by the SLORC in October 1992. These principles emphasized preservation of the Union, national unity, sovereignty, multiparty democracy, justice and equality, and a continuing leadership role for the Defence Services. The first convention opened on 9 January 1993. Of its initial delegates, 555 were selected from categories such as intellectuals, peasants, workers, and other social groups, while 147 were associated with political parties or elected representation. The National League for Democracy (NLD), which had won the 1990 election, was present initially but soon clashed with the authorities over the lack of genuine political dialogue and the convention's centralized constitutional direction. The early sessions were repeatedly disrupted by protests from NLD and ethnic-minority delegates. Authorities restricted speeches, controlled documents, limited public discussion, and detained delegates who criticized the process. Aung Khin Sint and his assistant Than Min were arrested in October 1993 and sentenced to lengthy prison terms; another delegate, U Than Hla, was also imprisoned. During the 1994 discussions, the convention endorsed provisions that would reserve one-quarter of legislative seats for military personnel, create a presidential system, and impose eligibility requirements that were widely viewed as excluding opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It also adopted provisions protecting the territorial structure of the Union from alteration. The convention reconvened in November 1995, but the NLD demanded direct dialogue between the opposition and the authorities. After its requests were not addressed, the NLD boycotted the sessions. The SLORC expelled the NLD's 89 delegates on 30 November 1995. The remaining delegates continued meeting until the convention was adjourned on 31 March 1996. In June, Law No. 5/96 criminalized criticism of the National Convention and authorized severe prison sentences, further demonstrating the coercive environment surrounding the constitutional process. The body was revived under the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 2003 as the first step in Prime Minister Khin Nyunt's announced seven-point roadmap to democracy. It reconvened in May 2004 at a specially built hall in Hmawbi Township. The reconstituted assembly included more representatives from ceasefire organizations and ethnic groups, but the NLD remained absent and the number of elected delegates was sharply reduced. Human-rights organizations criticized the secrecy surrounding membership and argued that proposals inconsistent with the government's constitutional vision were ignored. The New Mon State Party eventually reduced its participation to observer status after objections concerning ethnic decentralization were rejected. The final session began in July 2007 and ended on 3 September 2007, during the period of growing public unrest later associated with the Saffron Revolution. The National Convention's principles were subsequently used in drafting Myanmar's 2008 Constitution, which was approved in a referendum the following year. As an institution, the convention was therefore a transitional constitutional mechanism rather than a commercial brand or continuing organization. Its historical importance lies in establishing the framework for a military role in government and in shaping Myanmar's post-2008 constitutional order.

The National Convention emerged from Myanmar's post-1990 constitutional crisis. The SLORC established it on 9 January 1993 under Order No. 13/92, after identifying six guiding principles centered on national unity, sovereignty, multiparty democracy, individual rights, and a continuing leadership role for the armed forces. The convention was presented as a representative forum for drafting a new constitutional order, but the military authorities controlled delegate selection, procedure, and the boundaries of permissible debate. The initial assembly contained 702 delegates. Most were selected from occupational and social categories rather than elected through a national vote. The NLD and several other parties were represented, but their influence was limited. Protests began almost immediately, particularly over efforts to create a centralized state and over the restricted ability of delegates to submit and discuss alternative proposals. Authorities progressively tightened control over speeches and documents. The imprisonment of critical delegates, including Aung Khin Sint and U Than Hla, reinforced the risks associated with opposition inside the convention. During 1994, delegates endorsed a political structure that would give the military a guaranteed share of legislative seats and significant influence over key ministries. Presidential eligibility rules also imposed requirements that were widely interpreted as excluding Aung San Suu Kyi. When the convention resumed in November 1995, the NLD sought formal dialogue with the authorities. Its boycott was followed by the expulsion of all 89 NLD delegates. The convention continued without the principal elected opposition party until its adjournment in March 1996. The subsequent adoption of Law No. 5/96 made criticism of the process punishable by long prison terms. The SPDC revived the body in 2003 as the first stage of a declared roadmap toward democracy. The reconvened convention began work in May 2004 in Hmawbi Township. Its membership differed from that of the first period: ceasefire groups and ethnic organizations received greater representation, while elected representation remained minimal and the NLD did not participate. International and domestic human-rights critics argued that the process was neither transparent nor genuinely deliberative. The New Mon State Party withdrew from substantive participation after its proposals for stronger ethnic decentralization were not accepted. The final session took place in 2007 and ended on 3 September. Its constitutional principles became the basis for the draft Constitution of 2008, which was approved in a referendum. The resulting constitutional system preserved a formal political role for the military, including reserved legislative representation and influence over security ministries. The National Convention therefore functioned as the principal institutional bridge between direct military rule and Myanmar's later constitutional government, while remaining controversial because of its exclusion of the elected opposition, restrictions on debate, and limited treatment of ethnic demands.

• 2008

  Constitution adopted by referendum

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The constitutional framework developed from the convention's principles was approved in a national referendum.

• 2007

  Final session concludes

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The convention completed its final session on 3 September.

• 2004

  Convention reconvenes

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The SPDC restarted the constitutional process in May at Hmawbi Township.

• 1996

  First period ends and criticism is prohibited

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The convention was adjourned in March, and Law No. 5/96 criminalized criticism in June.

• 1995

  NLD delegates expelled

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The 89 NLD delegates were removed after their boycott and demand for dialogue.

• 1993

  National Convention established

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The constituent assembly opened on 9 January under SLORC supervision.

• 1992

  Six constitutional principles announced

  [1]National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org

  The SLORC announced principles emphasizing Union preservation, sovereignty, multiparty democracy, rights, and a future leadership role for the Defence Services.

A state-managed constitutional and political transition mechanism designed to formalize a future political system while preserving a central institutional role for Myanmar's armed forces.

• 1994

  Military representation and presidential eligibility principlesStrategy

  Background

  The convention was determining the institutional structure of a future Union government.

  Action taken

  It endorsed principles reserving one-third of legislative seats for the Defence Services during the discussions reported for 1994, establishing a presidential system, and setting restrictive eligibility conditions for presidential candidates.

  Aftermath

  The principles gave the armed forces a constitutionally protected political role and created eligibility conditions widely viewed as excluding Aung San Suu Kyi.

  Source

1. 1National Convention (Myanmar)en.wikipedia.org