Founded: 2008 (merged 1 April 2010) Founders: Shwe Ohn Leader: Shwe Ohn Headquarters: No.123 (B/3) on U Chit Maung Road in North-West Saya San Ward in Bahan Township, Yangon Division
Latest News
5 Aug 2010 - UDP chairman Phyo Min Thein resigned from the party and pulled out of the elections citing unfair practices by the government
11 Aug 2010 - UDP says it will maintain it's party policy despite the resignation of Phyo Min Thein
Background
Union Democratic Partyis a merger of two parties: former student leader U Phyo Min Thein’s Public Democracy Party and Shan veteran leader Shwe Ohn's Union Democracy Alliance Organisation/Party (UDAO/P) on April 1st. The UDAP was previously also a merger with 5 members from the Independent Candidates' Network.
The former Union Democracy Alliance is supported by ethnic groups in seven states and the Public Democracy Party is supported by middle-aged people from seven divisions.
The party's ideology is based on liberal democratic thinking in context with the Union. Democracy, human rights and national reconciliation are major goals of our party. It is funded by party member fees, donations from public and income from party-owned businesses The UDP has launched branch offices in Taunggyi, Nyaungshwe and Twitay.
Photo right: A party signboard is displayed at 234 Kyitekasan Road, Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, on June 15, 2010.
Party Central Executive Committee
Party Patron
Shwe Ohn (14.3.1923 - passed away 20 Aug 2010) BA
1934 participated in Student Uprising, Joint-Secretary and then secretary of Association of Student from Shan State in Yangon University - 1945-1946 participated in underground movements for National Independence 1946-1947 financial secretary of Shan State People Liberation Organization and was elected as a representative of Shan State in parliament 1947 editor of the New Light of Myanmar and attended Pin-lone convention as a media representative, Vice-leader in Shan State Council 1947 – 1962 First rank officer and Assistant-Officer in Public Assistances Office, Vice-leader in Shan State Council 1948 joined anti-feudalism movements and arrested 1962 High school teacher & life insurance representative 1972 Lawyer 1989; founder and Chairman of Shan State Nationalities Democracy League
Chairman
Thein Htay (27.01.1961) BSc Physics Replaced Phyo Min Thein(Resigned 05.08.10)
1988participated in student demonstration as a student leader, member of ABSDF and All Burma Student Union (Yangon) 1989 co-founder of Battle Committee for Students Solidarity 16, January 2010 one of the organizers of the Myanmar Issue Discussion/workshop
Member
Nay Myo Wei
Vice Chairman
Htay Oo (25.09.1951) BA Physics, Law
1972-1978 worked in Thamawayama (Government-run-Enterprise) 1988 Secretary of Lawyers Association in Daydaye Township 1988 Chairman of Daydaye demonstration committee, member of 1962 former-students demonstration committee (Yangon) 1988 – 1990 worked in Democratic Party for New Society and National League for Democracy 1993 Arrested and imprisoned for seven years - Try to work for national reconciliation and organized Third Force - Co-founded Union Democracy Allies with U Shew Ohn - Lawyer and ran a broom business
General Secretary
Thein Tin Aung (12.03.1968) Bsc Physics (Rgn)
1988 Participated in student demonstrations and temporarily arrested 1991 Arrested for one week by government secret agents while doing documentation to rebuild All Burma Student Union and trying to submit the case of student Phone Maw to General Khin Nyunt. 2006-2009 Vice chairman of 88 Generation youths and students (Myanmar) 2009 – Member of “Union Democracy Alliance”
Member
Than Min Soe
Member
Thaung Win
Member
Sai Htun Myint (09.11.1954) 8th Standard
- Furniture business, merchant, and employee at a mining company - Volunteer in Youths and religious Association
Statements
16 Aug 2010 Vice-chairman Thein Htay said“[There's] not enough money and time, so we cannot contest the election nationwide as we had planned”
17 Sept 2009 The Union Democratic Alliance Organization has invited all ethnic political parties to join hands with them to form a strong opposition in the forthcoming 2010 general elections
1988; Co-founder and Secretary of Thanlin Township Student Union - 1990; Secretary of Central Executive committees of All Burma Student Union (lower Burma)
Activities
Date
Activities
Details
2010.09.05
Statement
the Union Democratic Party (UDP) said in a statement that charges should be laid against the captains from Infantry Battalion 59 who reportedly shot dead two innocent youth in Pegu
2010.08.25
Threat
USDP members with Loikaw and Deemawso authorities closed down the NUDP chairman, Oo Seh Reh's business ventures and his family's business interests as part of an ongoing harassment of the party.
2010.08.25
Registration
The Union Democratic Party submitted a list of its party members to the UEC
2010.08.20
Party
The co-founder of the Union Democratic Party (UDP) and Veteran Shan politician Shwe Ohn, 88, dies of liver cancer
2010.08.18
Campaign
The United Democratic Party held a ceremony after the party put up a party signboard in Matehtelar Township.
2010.08.11
Campaign
Union Democracy Party opened its first branch office in Tontay Township in Yangon Division. Party members and 30 local people attended the opening ceremony. Chairman of Tontay Township Union Democracy Party, U Myint Swe, said UDP may not win in Ton Tay Township. But the party will try its best to be recognized as the best contenders by local people in the township."
2010.08.08
Party
Union Democratic Party's new chairman Thein Htay declared the party may be at risk if it chose to take part in the forthcoming election but remains undecided about whether it will stand.
2010.08.05
Party
The chairman of the Union Democratic Party (UDP), Phyo Min Thein, resigned, saying “I made this decision so that the international community will be aware of the real situation regarding the elections.”
2010.08.01
Alliance
UDP chairman said the party is discussing the idea of forming a joint action committee with some democratic parties. So far they have discussed the issue with the National Democratic Force, Democratic Party (Myanmar), Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and Rakhine Nationalities Development Party. However NDF’s chairman Dr Than Nyein told a group of reporters at a press conference that the NDF would negotiate not to clash with other parties in the election, but not whether it will form an alliance.
2010.07.27
Campaign
Burma's newly registered Union Democratic Party (UDP) has launched a newsletter called "The Union" to support its general election campaign
2010.07.21
Statement
The Rangoon-based Union Democracy Party (UDP) alleges the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is attempting to poach their party members by promising road repairs in their localities in exchange for political support.
2010.07.13
Alliance
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2010.07.12-16
Meeting + Alliance
Myanmar Egress held meetings in the Thai capital, Bangkok, with diplomats and non-governmental organization officials from Europe. It announced it estimated Burma's election will attract an estimated 77 percent turnout. Sources said the Bangkok meeting showed video footage of three Burmese political parties—the National Democratic Force (NDF), the Democratic Party (Myanmar), and the Union Democratic Party (UDP). A source said that the Myanmar egress said it had the mandate from them to request financial support from European countries, but this was denied by the three parties. A pro-election Thailand partner, the Vahu Development Institute also took part.
2010.06.17
Statement
The Union Democratic Party (UDP) released a statement calling for the release of all political prisoners so they can participate in the election, freedom of the media and announcement of an election date. It also called for the military government not to affiliate itself with the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) party led by current Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein.
2010.06.08
Campaign
At least two new political parties in Burma will launch a website as a strategic part of their election campaign, including Union Democratic Party (UDP) and the Peace and Diversity Party (PDP)
2010.05.28
Registration
Union Election Commission granted permission to the Union Democratic Party with its headquarters at No.123 (B/3) on U Chit Maung Road in North-West Saya San Ward in Bahan Township, Yangon Division to register as a political party as of 28 May 2010. The registration number of the Union Democratic Party is (24).
2010.05.20
Registration
Union Democratic Party submitted an application to register as political parties to the Election Commission
2010.05.04
Registration
Union Democratic Party allowed to form as a political party by the Election Commission
2010.04.23
Conference
Press Conference
2010.04.08
Registration
Union Democratic Party (UDP) submitted its application to the Union Election Commission to form as a political party.
2010.03.05
International
Veteran ethnic Shan politician Ohn Shwe, Thein Than Aung, Nay Myo Wai and Ko Ko Gyi of the Union Democracy Alliance (UDA) met diplomats from Britain, France, Italy and Germany at the German embassy in Rangoon
2009.09.17
Alliance
The Union Democratic Alliance Organization has invited all ethnic political parties to join hands with them to form a strong opposition in the forthcoming 2010 general elections
2009.04.05-26
Campaign
Union Democratic Alliance veteran politician U Shwe Ohn from Shan State was on a 21-day tour in Shan State and met regional political parties, ethnic leaders and discussed with them the question of contesting the 2010 general election.
2009.01.26
Party
A veteran ethnic Shan politician, Shwe Ohn said he and his friends have formed a group that will be transformed into a political party called the Union Democratic Alliance to contest the ensuing 2010 general elections. The organizing committee has 8 members.
