Committee Representing the People's Parliament [CRPP]

On Sept 16, 1998, the National League for Democracy (NLD) formed the Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP,) after the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) failed to respond to renewed calls to recognize the results of the 1990 elections. The committee was chaired by Aung Shwe and had ten positions. The committee was supported by 251 parliament members, including MPs from other parties. The CRPP annulled all laws promulgated since Sept 18, 1998 and called for the release of all political prisoners. Dr Saw Mra Aung, 83, chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) and MP-elect from Arakan State, was elected as the People's Parliament president by CRPP. The SPDC immediately responded by arresting 110 NLD MPs and officials, including Dr Saw Mra Aung, who was detained from September 1998 to June 14, 2001. By the end of 1998, the SPDC had shut down 43 NLD offices, and has insisted on the dissolution of the CRPP as a pre-condition for the resumption of talks with the opposition. On Oct 23, 2002 the CRPP expanded its membership from 10 to 13 with new members representing three leaders from ethnic groups.