Burmese Parliament approves law legalizing street protests
President Thein Sein’s signature needed for the entry into force. Party flags and symbols allowed, but the demonstrations must not target government buildings or embassies. Among the restrictions, the obligation to provide the authorities with the names of the promoters. Wing close to the old regime contests: law too permissive.
Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Burmese Parliament has approved a law legalizing "peaceful demonstrations". Confirmed today by a member of the Upper House, the bill now only needs the signature of President Thein Sein to be enforced. Demonstrators would be allowed to hold flags and party symbols, but must avoid government buildings, schools, hospitals and embassies. The bill was introduced by the Interior Ministry, which got the green light from the Lower House in October, (see AsiaNews 28/10/11 A law to "legalize" street protests in Myanmar).
Aye Maung, a member of the Upper House and member of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, said that "the authorities must be notified five days in advance" with respect to the dates scheduled for the eventual protest. Now the law must be signed by Thein Sein, thus sanctioning its entry into force. For the first time in 50 years it authorizes collective public demonstrations, although there are many restrictions, including the obligation to provide the authorities with the names of the promoters of each protest.
However, the hard wing of the Parliament - close to the old military regime that has ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for decades - criticises the law as too permissive, while the nation is not yet ready for these concessions to freedom of expression. In contrast, other members of the opposition front call for greater facilities, including full freedom of movement for activists.
The last time the democratic opposition and the monks took to the streets - in September 2007 against the rising price of gasoline - the army violently suppressed the uprising (the "Saffron Revolution", ed) with dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests. Despite the recent opening of the executive in Burma, including the release of some political prisoners in the context of a general amnesty decided by the President Thein Sein, the conditions of those still in prison - at least 1700 - for "crimes of opinion " remain critical.
Aye Maung, a member of the Upper House and member of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, said that "the authorities must be notified five days in advance" with respect to the dates scheduled for the eventual protest. Now the law must be signed by Thein Sein, thus sanctioning its entry into force. For the first time in 50 years it authorizes collective public demonstrations, although there are many restrictions, including the obligation to provide the authorities with the names of the promoters of each protest.
However, the hard wing of the Parliament - close to the old military regime that has ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for decades - criticises the law as too permissive, while the nation is not yet ready for these concessions to freedom of expression. In contrast, other members of the opposition front call for greater facilities, including full freedom of movement for activists.
The last time the democratic opposition and the monks took to the streets - in September 2007 against the rising price of gasoline - the army violently suppressed the uprising (the "Saffron Revolution", ed) with dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests. Despite the recent opening of the executive in Burma, including the release of some political prisoners in the context of a general amnesty decided by the President Thein Sein, the conditions of those still in prison - at least 1700 - for "crimes of opinion " remain critical.
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