New less restrictive public assembly bill in Myanmar parliament

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New less restrictive public assembly bill in Myanmar parliament



YANGON: -- A new public assembly and procession law which will ease restrictions of demonstrations is now under the consideration of the Upper House of Parliament, according to The Irrawaddy last Friday.

Under the new bill, demonstrators will be required to “inform” relevant police stations at least 48 hours in advance of a protest instead of a “permission” from the authorities under the existing law.

Moreover, the bill seeks to impose limitations on the rights of authorities to charge demonstrators. If organizers of the protests are found to have broken the law, they can only be prosecuted by the first township where they violate the law and not all the townships they pass through and the charges must be filed within 15 days.

An NLD lawmaker Zaw Min, also chairman of the bill committee, pointed out that some student leaders of last year’s demonstration against the National Educational Law were charged with more than 50 counts of criminal activity as their protest march passed through several townships.

NLD legal advisor Ko Ni said the new bill was in line with international norms and would fully recognize the fundamental rights of the people in Myanmar.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/162513


-- Thai PBS 2016-05-09