Rangoon Parliamentary Committee to Submit Report on Judicial Reform

By Wai Wai Lwin 19 January 2017

RANGOON — A Rangoon parliamentary committee will submit a report detailing their findings concerning the judiciary system in the upcoming regional legislative session.

Daw Thandar Aye, a member of the Judicial and Legal Affairs Complaints and Grievances Investigation Committee in the Rangoon parliament, said that the report aimed to tackle corruption in the judiciary system. It also explores the assurance of public safety and adherence to the rule of law, as well as support for the needs of the staff under magistrates, legal offices and police departments.

The committee visited courts, police stations and legal offices in 40 out of 45 Rangoon townships over the last year.

“We heard corruption complaints the most when we made field visits,” said U Than Swe, also a member of the Judicial and Legal Affairs Complaints and Grievances Investigation Committee.

He said that he hoped the city’s infamous judiciary system—often criticized for delays in accepting public complaints, as well as for taking bribes—would be reformed in the near future.

“There is an insufficient number of staff, as well as apartments to supply to them. In some places, we can say that one police officer is looking out for 1,000 residents because of the inadequate number of staff,” committee member Daw Thandar Aye said, adding that this limits police capacity to manage security in such areas.

The report will be submitted to Rangoon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein. Later, the regional government will follow up on the findings, state media reported.

The committee members added that they plan to continue their visits to districts and divisional departments.

The Rangoon parliamentary session is expected to resume in March.