EU mulls role in poll

European Union experts from Brussels will come to Myanmar this week, to evaluate and assess if the conditions are OK to send a team to observe the general elections later this year.

Roland Kobia, EU Ambassador to Myanmar, shared the information with a group of reporters at a press briefing in Yangon to mark the occasion of Europe Day on May 9. 

He said that the EU has received the request by the Union Election Commission (UEC) to send international observers before and during the general elections.

“There are many areas where the elections will be difficult. If the conditions are considered as being reasonable, the EU will send European election observers,” he said, adding that it is impossible for the observers to go to every poll station as there will be a limited number of people.

“There are a lot of difficulties. Some areas are very remote while some are not in the government’s control. Some areas have conflicts and boycott problems, and etc.”

Myanmar is scheduled to host the elections late October or early November. The ‘pariah’ state will have the first democratic elections in the country, which has been under military control for five decades, from 1962 to 2011. It is extending invitations to international community to observe the elections. The elections have been closely watched by international community, particularly the business sector which is eager to pour more money into what is a last-frontier economy.

Several details on the elections remain to be finalised. The election date is not yet fixed, and there is an uncertainty over the presidential candidates. National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will stand for the elections, but under the present constitution that bars her from for the race. Meanwhile, President Thein Sein originally said he would not re-contest, but may be having second thoughts. Parliament speaker and former junta member Thura Shwe Mann said during his trip to the United States last week that he would run for the nation's presidency if nominated by the ruling party. He also said the party would consider forming a coalition with NLD, the idea which was welcomed by the party’s leader.

"This kind of co-operative spirit is good. We welcome it," Suu Kyi told AFP last week.

Last week, the political party registration was completed. A total of 73 parties, including two new ones, applied for registration to run in the elections. In the 1990 general election, 93 parties ran with 27 winning at least one seat. The 2010 general election saw 37 parties run with 22 winning a seat.

In his May 4 radio speech, President Thein Sein said that the 2015 election is very important for democratic reform. 

“Political groups and people should all join forces for the successful completion of the election. I am determined to work for successful democratic reform. And I promise to put every effort into achieving it," the president said. 

Sources also told Daily Eleven that he personally assured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a letter that Myanmar would continue with the national peace process and democratic reform and a free and fair election is guaranteed.

The EU ambassador acknowledged that the elections mark an important step in Myanmar’s transition. 

“It will be your election. The result is your result. But we have requested UEC to take care of the elections as Myanmar has very little experience in organising general elections…We just advise technically but do not get involved in political issues as this is the sovereignty of Myanmar,” he said, adding that the EU has been working very intensively to help preparations of the elections since last year.

He also cautioned that one should not expect the elections to be perfect, as elections anywhere are a difficult process. Having said that, he hopes it will be the best election ever in Myanmar with the support of the EU and international community.

 

 

Further assistance 

As the transformation period continues, the ambassador promised long-term commitments towards the country. The European Union is under negotiations with local counterparts on how to support Myanmar’s agriculture and fishery sectors, which employs over half of the country’s workforce. 

He said that with its presence on the ground, the European Investment Bank, a public development bank, is ready to share its best practices and expertise to the nation’s booming banking sector, despite the fact that no European bank is coming to Myanmar any time soon. Among 9 licensed foreign banks, none are from Europe.

Kobia added that in an effort to improve European investments in Myanmar, the EU has started negotiations about the investment protection agreement with the Myanmar government. The first round of negotiation for the agreement was held in Yangon two months ago. The negotiation team is coming back in two or three weeks for the second round. To him, the process is very likely to be finalised in the near future as many participants would like to finalise the negotiation in the next round. 

“This protection agreement is important to give guarantee to European businesses that their investment in Myanmar is in a safe condition and in return, will contribute to Myanmar’s economic development… You already have the agreement with a number of countries. About 10 countries, I think, including Japan, Korea, Thailand, etc.

“If Myanmar wants to attract European investments to get more job creation and growth, transfer of technology and know-how, you need to create a level-playing field. Otherwise, they will not invest,” he said.

On May 7, the European Council for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility endorsed the EU's participation in the initiative to promote fundamental labour rights and practices in Myanmar. High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioners Cecilia Malmstr?m, Neven Mimica and Marianne Thyssen said in a statement that the engagement for decent work and responsible business conduct is an important stepping stone.

"By joining the initiative - launched by the Government of Myanmar, the United States, Japan, Denmark and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in November 2014 – we aim to contribute to the promotion of fundamental rights for Myanmar workers, create opportunities for Myanmar businesses and help transform the country into an attractive trading and investment partner. We want the new multi-annual strategy to serve Myanmar's sustainable development and integration into the world economy," they said.

The EU vowed supports to the ongoing labour law reform, its alignment with international labour standards and development of enforcement capacity. It will participate in the Stakeholders' Forum during May 18-19 in Yangon.

On the Labour Day, about 200 workers participated in a protest in Yangon, demanding for Ks5,600 for minimum wages (approximately (US$5) per day.

 

 

Criticism

The EU faced heavy criticism following the use of non-police forces on protesters in downtown Yangon and the use of force against protesters in Letpadan in March. Photos of protesters on the receiving end of brutal police baton charges were shared, leading to widespread criticisms on social media against the EU which launched the “EU Crowd Management Training Supports Reform of Myanmar Police Force” early 2014. Shortly after the violent crackdown, the EU issued a statement saying that the violence highlighted the needs for further training. 

At the press conference last week, Kobia said that the EU has been acting upon request from both the government and the National League for Democracy as both parties agreed that Myanmar police need reforms. 

He insisted that the EU is doing the right thing in the long term although it is risky in the short term. He said the crackdown was “unacceptable” and “certainly not what the EU has been teaching”. 

“What we are teaching to the police is to respect the people. We are also trying to change their mindset. The role of the police is not to annoy but to protect the people. 

“We knew it would be difficult because security sector reform not only in Myanmar but everywhere is very sensitive and complex. It is not like a smooth project like building a bridge or renovating a school.

“We believe that even if we get criticised by you, it works because this is how you are going to make a change in Myanmar. It will be very comfortable for us if we do not do anything that is too risky.

“Because of the incident, should we stop reforming the police and leave them untrained? Or should we continue training to try to educate them better?”

“If a country wants to move on the path of democracy, they need to have institutions that also respect democracy, human rights, and its citizens. So we decided to go for it… Now we are reflecting on what we should do,” he said.