100 Days of Burma’s Parliament: Strengthening the Status Quo

By Altsean-Burma • May 11, 2011

The 11th of May marks one hundred days since the convening of Burma’s Parliament on 31 January. The laws governing the proceedings of the first parliamentary session in 22 years gagged MPs and restrict civilian access to the Parliament. Many MPs complained about being subjected to detention-like living conditions. The regime also barred domestic journalists and foreign correspondents from covering the session.

Lack of genuine debate characterized the proceedings. Ministers brushed off questions that dealt with important issues and refused to address the substantive issues raised by the MPs. USDP and military-appointed MPs and the Speakers in both Houses of Parliament blocked 87% of the proposals submitted and instead prioritized the regime’s political agenda.

Meanwhile, outside Naypyidaw the regime continued to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes. Regime troops attacked and forcibly displaced hundred of civilians as part of their military offensives in ethnic areas. The regime also continued to arbitrarily detain and imprison dissidents.

This briefer is produced for the conference “100 Days of Burma’s Parliament” held on 12 May 2011 at the Australian National Parliament by the Australian Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma with the participation of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC).

Download the briefer here.