Protesters rally outside Thein Sein's hotel in Oslo

The democracy activists, about 50 Myanmar residents of Norway, held placards reading “No 2008 constitution. No civil war” as they waited outside the Hotel Continental in the Norwegian capital.

Myint Aye, former chairman of the All Burma Students League, told Eleven Media that the demonstration was intended to show opposition to the constitution, which was drafted by Thein Sein when he was a general. 

“Thein Sein is talking about Myanmar’s democratic reform, especially in Western countries. We can’t accept that. The main reason is that the current constitution is undemocratic,” Myint Aye said. “For example, the military constitutes 25 per cent of parliamentary seats without being elected. What’s more, the constitution does not guarantee autonomy for ethnic groups,” he said. 

Protester Mon Aung, a singer who left Myanmar after the 1988 uprising, said the protest was held because the government was failing to implement democratic reforms. “We have neither rights for national races nor human rights,” he said. 

“If Myanmar continues its way forward with that constitution, it will remain under the rule of military government for next 50 years,” Mon Aung warned. “We have lived under military rule for over 50 years. No change happens. The government, which incarcerated democracy activists 20 years ago, is now making foreign tours to talk about democracy,” he added. 

President’s Office Minister Soe Thein and Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut, both members of the delegation, reportedly met with the protesters to discuss their reasons for demonstrating. 

Thein Sein held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday. He also met officials of Norway’s Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries. 

Thein Sein’s landmark visit to Europe began in Oslo on Monday. He stayed in the Norwegian capital for three days before continuing on to Finland. He will also visit Austria, Belgium and Italy before he and his delegation return to Myanmar on March 8. 

He was invited by leaders of all five countries as well as the president of the European Union. 

The European trip is the first of its kind for the president and his 18th overseas trip since taking office. 

The visit is intended to strengthen ties with Europe and increase foreign investment, the President’s Office said.

Those joining Thein Sein in Europe include Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Soe Win, Foreign Affairs Minister Wanna Maung Lwin, President’s Office Minister Soe Thein, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Thant Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Information Ye Htut, Deputy Minister for Environment and Forests Thet Thet Zin, Deputy Minister for Health Thein Thein Htay, and government department heads.