Corruption deeply rooted, says Supreme Court judge
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A judge from Myanmar's Union Supreme Court has admitted that corruption is still deeply rooted in the country's judicial system, adding that other government and business organisations are also facing the same problem.
Judge Myint Aung made the statement on Saturday to Shwe Mann, speaker of Union Parliament and Lower House, who met with judicial organisations in Yangon.
“The judicial sector alone is not responsible for ensuring the rule of law. Inclusive cooperation is needed. That has also been talked about by the Speaker. Today, there is public criticism of bribery and corruption in the court system, where we are also seeing incorrect and unfair judicial decisions taken with lack of procedure. As far as we can see, misconduct is deeply rooted not only in our department but in government organisations and outside business organisations,” said Myint Aung.
Yangon Region’s advocate general, Kyaw Naing Moe, echoed Myint Aung’s point, saying that maintaining the rule of law was not the sole responsibility of the judicial sector but a joint effort between the legislative, executive and judicial sectors.
Also present at the meeting was Win Sein, secretary of Lawyers Association (Yangon), who stressed the need to pass laws that the public could follow. Unfair laws could lead to problems and conflicts, he added.
Unesco to inspect 3 ancient cities for world heritage list
Unesco representatives will in October make their first visit to Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra, the three ancient Myanmar cities proposed for World Heritage listing, says the Department of Archaeology, National Museums and Libraries.
“Unesco analysts will arrive around October 25 to inspect three ancient Pyu settlements.
They will investigate how the settlements are being conserved and managed, and how to afford easy access to them for overseas and local visitors. They will also inspect cultural artefacts at the sites and research on how to excavate in these ancient areas. It will be [Unesco’s] first visit to these sites,” said an official from the Ministry of Culture, who asked not to be named.
Myanmar proposed Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra for the register of World Heritage in September, 2012.
“We have worked towards preparing the sites for the proposal. We believe that the outcome will be a good one,” added the official.
Unesco will announce which new sites have made the World Heritage list in June, 2014.
