Myanmar: Constitutional Reform, a crucial step in the transition to a more democratic nation
GENEVA (23 May 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea
Quintana, today called on Myanmar to press forward with the on-going process of constitutional reform.
“A country’s Constitution should be a reflection of its people’s collective aspiration, and it should embrace
fundamental principles of democracy and human rights,” Mr. Ojea Quintana’s said. “Constitutional reform in Myanmar is a
crucial step in the transition to a more democratic nation.”
The independent expert’s call comes as the 31-member Parliamentary committee reviews proposed constitutional amendments
to the 2008 Constitution with a view to drafting an amendment bill for submission to Parliament.
“I hope for the amended Myanmar Constitution to be one which respects the fundamental human rights of all people living
in Myanmar and not just its citizens, and one which recognizes the will of the majority but also protects the rights of
the individual and minorities,” the independent expert said.
For the Special Rapporteur, the current constitutional reform process offers a key opportunity to address serious
shortcomings which might become further entrenched and destabilize the reform process.
A healthy Constitution must be amended to strengthen democratic attitudes and values, to facilitate national
reconciliation and the peace process, and also address the needs of the Myanmar society, as remarked by the country’s
President in January this year.
However, Mr. Ojea Quintana cautioned that Myanmar is only at the beginning of a transition and that the rule of law has
yet to take root, and warned that the current Constitution contains a number of provisions which undermine the rule of
law and fundamental human rights.
“In order for the rule of law to prevail, the laws of the land must be in line with international human rights standards
and they must apply equally to all persons,” he said. “There must be accountability of all State institutions and there
must be civilian control and oversight over the military.”
“Leaving the military with an effective veto over constitutional changes, among others, does not augur well with
Myanmar’s democratic ambitions especially leading up to the 2015 elections,” the human rights expert stressed. “The
right of the people of Myanmar to choose their own Government and President must also be respected and upheld.”
The Special Rapporteur noted that concerns have been raised that the reform process could be upset by peaceful
gatherings and rallies calling for certain constitutional amendments to be made. He believes, instead, that “such
exercise of the right to freedom of expression and the right to public participation is not only a healthy sign of human
rights principles at play, but that it is also a necessity for Myanmar in its transition to a more democratic nation.”
Mr. Ojea Quintana completes his six-year term as the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar at the
end of this month.
ENDS