The NLD Flag features the
peacock, a prominent symbol of Burma. The Dancing Peacock (the Peacock in courtship or in display of his feathers) was numerously featured in Burma monarchic flags as well as other nationalist symbols in the country . The Fighting Peacock is associated with decades-long democratic struggle against military dictatorship in the country. The latter closely resembles a Green Peafowl, as it has a tufted crest.
The
National League for Democracy () is a
Burmese political party founded on
27 September 1988. It is led by
Aung San Suu Kyi, who acts as General Secretary.
Overview
The party was formed in the aftermath of the
8888 Uprising. In the
1990 parliamentary elections, the party won 392 out of 492 contested seats (80.8%) compared to 10 seats by the government
National Unity Party; however the ruling
military junta (formerly known as
SLORC, now known as the
State Peace and Development Council or
SPDC) did not let the party form a government. Soon after the election, the party was repressed, but a number of elected representatives escaped arrest and formed the
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) to carry out the struggle for
democracy and
freedom.
The NLD is distinct from the NLD-LA (National League for Democracy-Liberated Areas), which operates in the
Thai-Burma border areas and abroad. However, the NLD-LA advocates the position of the NLD in calling for a tripartite dialogue between the SPDC, the NLD, and representatives of the
ethnic minority groups of Burma.
In 2001, the government permitted NLD office branches to re-open throughout Burma and released some members. However, they were shut down or heavily restricted from 2004, as part of a government campaign to prohibit such activities. In 2006, many members resigned from NLD, citing harassment and pressure from the
Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) and the
Union Solidarity and Development Association.
Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD general secretary and 1991
Nobel Peace Laureate, remains under
house arrest. The military has held her in detention for 14 of the last 20 years. She is the only Nobel Peace Laureate in detention in the world today.
List of General Secretaries
See also
