• Who are interpreting the Constitution?

    Posted in Legislative Research on Jul 10, 2018

    The Constitutional Tribunal is an organ of defending the fundamental rights of the citizens and resolving the conflicts among the three branches. The tribunal as an independent organization with the power to decide upon the disputes over the separation of powers can perform its functions without bias.

  • Judicial independence needs bigger attention

    Posted in Legislative Research on Jun 28, 2018

    Except matters related to bilateral treaties concluded by the State and constitutional disputes, the Supreme Court of the Union has original jurisdiction in the controversies arising between the Union government and the Region and State government, other disputes among the Regions, among the States, between the Region and the State and between the Union Territory and the Region or State.

  • Ruling party influence over election body

    Posted in Legislative Research on Jun 12, 2018

    The president alone can impeach the commission chair or members while MPs are not allowed to put forward the impeachment. It almost makes the commission an executive body as there is only limited parliamentary oversight.

  • Failure to reform institutions another hurdle to advance democracy

    Posted in Legislative Research on Jun 08, 2018

    A attempt by an lower house MP to reform the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission has recently failed in the National League for Democracy-controlled parliament.

  • Myanmar’s human rights commission explained

    Posted in Legislative Research on Jun 05, 2018

    Myanmar National Human Rights Commission is of vital importance in fully realizing the rights of citizens and paving the way for emergence of a society where human dignity is fully guaranteed. It is required to amend the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law for ensuring complete and effective implementation of its functions.

  • Updates on land-related bills in parliament

    Posted in Legislative Research on May 30, 2018

    There are three land-related bills under debate in the parliament. Almost all three bills were submitted around October and November, 2017. They are Land Acquisition Bill, Farmland Bill and Vacant Land, Fallow Land and Virgin Land Bill. Except VFVL Bill, debates of two other bills are paused since the end of 2017 and were again picked up in the run up to this session of the parliament.

  • Myanmar anti-corruption commission explained

    Posted in Legislative Research on May 29, 2018

    The president and the house speakers can task the commission to launch investigations into corruption cases. MPs have the right to submit a proposal to the relevant house requesting investigation into a corruption case involving a public office holder, triggering an investigation through the house speaker.