Suu Kyi and govt discuss opening rule of law centres
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Talks still inconclusive, will continue on April 22, says House panel secretary
Parliament’s rule of law committee chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi met with senior government officials in Yangon to discuss opening rule of law centres in Mandalay and Lashio townships.
“The discussion on the issue is still inconclusive. It will continue at the April 22 meeting,” said Win Myint, secretary of the Lower House Committee for Rule of Law, Peace and Tranquility.
Attending the meeting were Sein Than, director general of the Advocate General’s Office, Kyaw San, director general of the Attorney General’s Office, Pol Brig-General Win Tun from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr Wah Wah Maung, deputy director general of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development.
Representatives from the United States Embassy, the Australian Embassy, the United Nations Development Programme, the Department of International Development (UK) and JICA Myanmar Office were also present.
The Lower House Committee for Rule of Law, Peace and Tranquility earlier submitted a report in the seventh parliamentary session, pointing out weaknesses in governmental and judicial bodies and giving recommendations to rectify the situation.
Meanwhile, the National Unity Party will compete in the upcoming by-elections, according to central executive member Han Shwe.
The chairperson of the Union Election Commission, Tin Aye, said that there were 31 vacant places for candidates in both houses of parliament. “We can’t take part in regions where there is no base for our party,” Han Shwe said.
“We must consider participation in by-elections in some places like Kayin and Kachin States where there are armed organisations.
“We will hold a meeting after Thingyan [the Myanmar New Year] but we will participate in most of the vacant seats.”
In the 2010 general election, the National Unity Party won 64 seats including 12 for the Lower House, five in the Upper House and 45 state and regional MP seats, as well as two seats for national race representatives among 995 vacant constituencies.
The National Unity Party was the second largest party that participated in the last elections after the now ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party. Both are offshoots from the military.
The National League for Democracy earlier announced that it would join the race for all available seats.
