Burma’s main opposition National League for Democracy, or NLD, on Friday called for the repeal of a law known as No 5/96 that criminalizes any speeches or documents that "belittle and make people misunderstand the functions being carried out by the National Convention," which is tasked with drawing up a new constitution for the country.

The NLD released the statement two days after representatives of the party received official invitation letters to attend the convention, a senior party official said. The National Convention, which is due to be reopened on May 17 following an eight-year hiatus, is the first of a seven-step road map to democracy announced by Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt last August.

In June 1996 three and half years after the convention started, the junta enacted the law, saying it was needed to prevent people from obstructing the functions of the assembly. It is officially called the "Law Protecting the Peaceful and Systematic Transfer of State Responsibility and the Successful Performance of the Functions of the National Convention against Disturbances and Opposition."

The act contains five prohibitions, including "disturbing, destroying, obstructing, inciting, delivering speeches, making oral or written statements and disseminating in order to undermine, belittle and make people misunderstand the functions being carried out by the National Convention for the emergence of a firm and enduring Constitution."

The law enables authorities to punish violations with prison terms of from five to 20 years for individuals and allows for the closure and asset-seizure any sponsoring organization.

"The law is totally unnecessary," said Than Tun, the NLD party executive, from Rangoon on the phone. "It has to be repealed so that people and political parties will be able to freely discuss the constitution."

Last week the government invited delegates, including some NLD members, to the convention. But the NLD said it cannot say whether it will attend until it is able to confer with four central executive members currently under house arrest.

Secretary-general Aung San Suu Kyi, chairman Aung Shwe, vice-chairman Tin Oo and secretary U Lwin, have been detained since last May when a junta-orchestrated mob attacked an NLD party convoy in Sagaing Division. The NLD called for release of its leaders on last week.

Recent but unconfirmed reports said that two of the detainees—Aung Shwe and U Lwin—have also been invited to the convention.