Analysis of the Guarantees of Freedom of Expression in the 2008 Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

When it was first introduced in 2008, the new Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was deemed to be a great improvement over the previous constitution. An important part of this was the more robust guarantees it included for human rights. And an important part of the latter was its relatively strong guarantees for freedom of expression.

At the same time, the guarantees for freedom of expression in the 2008 Constitution do not fully meet international standards in this area. This Analysis outlines the key attributes of international standards, and indicate how the guarantees of freedom of expression in the 2008 Constitution fail to meet these standards […]

Not Open for Business: Despite Elections, Investor Risk Remains High in Burma

The April 1 Burmese by-elections are being heralded as a great success both for the people of Burma and for the international community after more than a decade of sanctions. While there is cause to celebrate in the wake of initial reforms by President Thein Sein and the electoral victory of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, high levels of risk for investors – and the people of Burma – remain […]

Election Monitoring Re port No.1

The April 1 by-election generally went well. People could genuinely express their own voices through their own votes. While the process was significantly peaceful in all the 45 contested constituencies with a total of 158 candidates, some irregularities […]

Five-Point State-Level Peace Agreement with the Rakhine State Liberation Party

The full-text of the state-level agreement between the Union Peace Making Committee and the Rakhine State Liberation Party.

The Current State of the Judiciary in Myanmar

A briefer by the BLC that provides some in depth information on five issues concerning the judiciary in Myanmar: i) Independence and impartiality of the judiciary; ii) Military justice and court martial; iii) Access to the judiciary; iv) Corruption in the judiciary; and v) Ability for lawyers to defend clients.

The Environmental Conservation Law (2012)

The full text of the Environmental Conservation Law in English and Burmese.

The Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Lands Management Law (2012)

The full text of the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Lands Management Law in English and Burmese.

The Farmland Law (2012)

The full text of the Farmland Law in English and Burmese.

Burma’s By-Elections: Still Short of International Standards

While the by-elections have limited political significance, they are important because they are being championed as an indicator of progress by the international community after the sham 2010 polls. Despite the hype, the bulk of laws and regulations […]

The Settlement of Labour Dispute Law (2012)

The full text of the Settlement of Labour Dispute Law in English and Burmese.