• Burmese
Friday, July 18, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Committee to Amend Constitution Gets Strong Show of Support in Parliament

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
February 5, 2019
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
A banner is displayed at an event advocating amendments to the Constitution in Yangon in 2014. / The Irrawaddy

A banner is displayed at an event advocating amendments to the Constitution in Yangon in 2014. / The Irrawaddy

5.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON — A joint parliamentary committee to draft amendments to the country’s undemocratic Constitution appeared likely to take form after a strong majority of lawmakers who joined a debate on the proposal in Parliament on Tuesday endorsed the idea.

In the first move by the National League for Democracy (NLD) to amend the military-drafter charter since taking power in 2016, party lawmaker U Aung Kyi Nyunt submitted a proposal last week to form the ad hoc committee “as soon as possible.” The legislature’s military-appointed lawmakers objected strenuously, claiming the move violated constitutional rules. The military lawmakers, who are guaranteed 25 percent of the seats in Parliament by the Constitution, showed up to Tuesday’s debate on the proposal but refused to participate.

Thirty lawmakers did join the debate — 12 from the NLD, 11 from five ethnic minority parties, five from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and one from the National United Democratic Party.. All except the five from the military-backed USDP spoke in favor of the committee and offered suggestions on what form it should take.

RelatedPosts

Parading Comedians and Machines for Election Circus; Rousing the Military Vote; and More

Parading Comedians and Machines for Election Circus; Rousing the Military Vote; and More

July 12, 2025
804
Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

July 10, 2025
2.8k
Cambodia’s Hun Sen Accuses Thai PM of ‘Insulting King’

Cambodia’s Hun Sen Accuses Thai PM of ‘Insulting King’

June 27, 2025
953

The Constitution has been criticized for being undemocratic both at home and abroad for articles that place the military beyond the control of the civilian government and that restrict the rights of ethnic minorities including the right to self-determination.

The NLD has been pushing for constitutional amendments since 2013. In a nationwide poll at the time, 97 percent of respondents in 267 townships across the country said they wanted the Constitution changed.

During Tuesday’s debate, Daw Htu May, of the Arakan League for Democracy, said she welcomed the formation of the reform committee because “the constitutional crisis is Myanmar’s crisis” and called for an inclusive body.

“The constitution of a democratic country has to guarantee human rights, equality and self-determination for the nation. If you take a hardliner approach this time, you will disappoint people who hold the sovereign power of the union,” she said.

U Sai Tun Aye, of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, said constitutional reform was needed to address issues such as decentralization, which could in turn help ethnic minorities achieve greater self-determination.

“I seriously agree with the formation of the committee and will actively be involved upon its formation,” he said.

The USDP’s U Maung Myint “seriously” objected, echoing the military’s complaint from last week that constitutional rules were being breached.

Citing Chapter 12 of the Constitution, the USDP and military say any proposed amendments must be submitted as a bill before being submitted to Parliament for discussion.

“The committee has to be formed after we have the bill. Now it’s in reverse order,” said U Maung Myint.

However, U Aung Kyi Nyunt, who proposed the committee, and Speaker U T Khun Myat said the proposal had nothing to do with drafting a bill.

“The formation of the committee is the first step to drafting a bill to amend the Constitution,” said U T Khun Myat.

Parliament, where the NLD holds more than half the seats, will vote on the formation of the committee on Wednesday.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: amendcommitteedebateMilitaryNLDParliamentUSDP
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion
Burma

Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion

by The Irrawaddy
February 5, 2024
24.5k

Naing Naing Oo elevated to Lieutenant-General and made chief of powerful Bureau of Special Operations No. 2, in a reshuffle...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats
Burma

Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats

by The Irrawaddy
January 12, 2024
20.1k

Major-General Hla Moe is reportedly the latest junta commander to pay the price for sweeping gains made by resistance forces. 

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts
Analysis

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts

by Hein Htoo Zan
September 20, 2024
16.8k

Three major operations to retake territory from ethnic armies and their allies are being hampered by troop shortages, experts say.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands
Burma

Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands

by The Irrawaddy
May 31, 2024
13.5k

Full-time military service order covers soldiers, personnel, police and border guards in eight regional commands.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Begins Forced Conscription of Women in Some Areas, Residents Say
Burma

Myanmar Junta Begins Forced Conscription of Women in Some Areas, Residents Say

by Hein Htoo Zan
May 31, 2024
13.5k

The regime is selecting women from lists of eligible conscripts and building barracks for them in Ayeyarwady; in Bago, women...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Representatives from the Myanmar military and Kachin religious organizations pose for a group photo at the military’s Northern Command compound on Monday. / Kachin Baptist Convention / Facebook

Military Chief Discusses IDPs, Peace, Myitsone Dam with Kachin Religious Leaders

'Water from Air' Aims to Turn Back Thailand's Tide of Plastic

'Water from Air' Aims to Turn Back Thailand's Tide of Plastic

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

2 days ago
1.3k
‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

6 days ago
818

Most Read

  • Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rakhine Fighters Close In on Myanmar Junta’s Naval Base

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Recaptures Nawnghkio After Months-Long Counteroffensive

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.