May 6, 2016

NLD to water down protest law, but keep prison penalties

The National League for Democracy has put forward changes to the peaceful protest law that are likely to result in fewer activists going to prison.

Bill committee secretary Dr Myat Nyarna Soe proposed the amendment bill to the upper house on May 5.

Under the changes, protesters would still have to inform the township police and administrator of their plan to demonstrate at least two days prior to the event, specifying the place, time, route and speakers.

However, they will no longer have to seek approval from the authorities for their demonstration.

The original Right to Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law was proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and approved in 2011. It required protesters to seek approval from township police and administrators for demonstrations, and illegal demonstrations carried a one-year prison term. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)

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