In het nieuwe parlement hebben de MP's geen vrijheid van meningsuiting wanneer het gaat om uitspraken die de nationale veiligheid, de eenheid van het land of de constitutie kunnen schaden.

Verschillende leiders van etnische politieke partijen die zetels in het nieuwe parlement hebben gewonnen bij de afgelopen verkiezingen van 7 november, hebben al laten weten dat zij deze restricties niet in de weg laten staan om hun politieke activiteiten te ontplooien. De nieuwe regels bestaan onder andere uit een twee jaar durende gevangenisstraf.

Lees hier het hele artikel in het Engels uit de EBO monitor:

Several ethnic leaders who won parliamentary seats in the 7 November general elections have said that they will not allow restrictions on free speech in the new parliament to block their political activities. The laws, which were reportedly authorized by Senior-General Than Shwe, stipulate that parliamentarians in the new (Amyotha Hluttaw) Upper and (Pyithu Hluttaw) Lower Houses will only be allowed freedom of expression in parliament if they do not “threaten national security, the unity of the country or violate the Constitution.

” The parliamentary restrictions have not yet been made public by Burma's ruling military junta. The new laws include a two-year prison term for anyone who protests in the parliament or its compound or physically assaults a lawmaker. Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP), who has stated publicly that he wants to air his views about federal and ethnic issues in the new parliament, said that no one wants to disintegrate the unity of the country or provoke a civil war. He said that elected representatives of the RNDP will speak in the new parliaments within the framework of the Constitution.

Naing Ngwe Thein, Chairman of the All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMDP), said that the ethnic leaders will do whatever is needed to promote the interests of their people and would raise issues of importance to meet these ends. “If we are afraid to speak, nothing will ever change”, he added. Pu Zo Zam, Chairman of the Chin National Party (CNP), said that the formation of a “new disciplined parliament” is a necessity, for there would be fighting or wrestling in the parliament if there is no rule of law.

The Inn National Development Party (INDP), which fielded five candidates in the election and won all five seats, has stated that it would agree with the government rules. According to INDP Chairman Aung Kyi Win, “We formed this party to protect our literature, our culture and our ethnicity and will follow whatever the government says. We feel that is our responsibility.” The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), which won the most constituencies in Shan State, has refused, however, to comment on the new laws.2

Bron: EBO monitor