NLD targets protest law
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Suu Kyi says jail threat undemocratic
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi says the controversial law that uses the threat of jail to limit the right to protest must be changed as it is blocking Myanmar’s progress towards democracy.
“The public unintentionally violates some laws as they find it difficult to follow them,” said Suu Kyi, responding to reporters’ questions about Section 18 of the controversial Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law.
“Protests are a common feature of democratic nations,” noted Suu Kyi,” speaking in Nay Pyi Taw as chairperson of the Rule of Law, Peace and Stability Committee.
She added that her opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) was actively seeking to change the controversial protest law.
“The NLD has already decided that a review of the protest law is required. One of our MPs will submit a proposed amendment of this law to parliament. The proposal should be on the next parliamentary debate agenda.”
Suu Kyi said the law must be amended as it was intolerable that protesters were being jailed under Section 18.
Amending such laws would also help strengthen the rule of law, she said, adding that the proposal sought to sweep away the rules and regulations that many unofficial protests fell foul of and make it easier for the public to voice their protests.
“The executive sector is responsible for bringing to bear on the public laws enacted by parliament.
“The main focus of the executive and judiciary is to perform tasks that maintain the rule of law. The entire citizenry need to participate in this process, said Suu Kyi.
