Human Rights Watch condemns Myanmar constitutional vote

17/05/2008 13:12:45

International rights group Human Rights Watch says the results of Burma's constitutional referendum is fatally flawed.

Urging foreign governments to reject its legitimacy, the group says Burma's rulers have shown no less contempt for the political rights of the Burmese people than they have with their welfare after the cyclone.

State television says Burma's military-backed constitution was approved by more than 92 percent in a referendum held everywhere except regions hardest hit by cyclone Nargis.

Human Rights Watch says the constitution seeks only to entrench military rule and was allegedly carried out in an atmosphere of official coercion and vote tampering.

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