Constitution of Burma
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The Constitution of Burma has changed several times since the country became independent from the United Kingdom. Burma's third and current constitution was promulgated in 2008.
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[edit] History
[edit] 1948 Constitution
Burma had its first constitution immediately after independence in 1948; this charter established a bicameral legislature.[1]
[edit] 1974 Constitution
The 1974 constitution was its second one which created a unicameral legislature.[1] Ne Win became the president at this time.
[edit] 2008 Constitution
On 9 April 2008, the military government of Burma released its proposed constitution for the country to be put to a vote in public referendum on 10 May 2008. The constitution is hailed by the military as heralding a return to democracy, but the opposition see it as a tool for continuing military control of the country. In particular the opposition have criticized the fact that large numbers of seats in the government are reserved for the military and also that the constitution bars anyone who has previously been married to a foreigner to run for political office, a rule that appears to have been aimed at the leader of the opposition and pre-coup elected leader of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi who was married to a now deceased British academic.[2]
[edit] 2008 constitutional referendum
On 10 May 2008[3] a referendum was held to outline the political framework of the country. According to Chief Justice Aung Toe, who is chairman of the drafting commission,
In drafting the constitution, the commission adhered strictly to the six objectives, including giving the Tatmadaw (the military) the leading political role in the future state.[4]
The government did not allow Cyclone Nargis to delay the referendum which took place as scheduled (except in the delta areas affected by the cyclone.[5][6]
[edit] Reaction in Burma
The National League for Democracy had not been allowed to contribute to the creation of the constitution.[7] The group that is led by Aung San Suu Kyi urged citizens to reject[8] the constitution which it labeled as a "sham."
[edit] References
- ^ a b TIMELINE - Myanmar's slow road to a new constitution | Top News | Reuters
- ^ "New Burma constitution published". BBC News. 2008-04-09. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7338815.stm. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
- ^ JURIST - Paper Chase: Myanmar constitution referendum set for May 10
- ^ New Myanmar constitution gives military leading role | International | Reuters
- ^ BBC NEWS | Special Reports | Burma referendum goes ahead
- ^ BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Burmese voice anger on poll day
- ^ Dissidents line up to fight Myanmar constitution
- ^ JURIST - Paper Chase: Upcoming Myanmar constitutional referendum 'sham': HRW
[edit] External links
- 1974 Constitution of Burma
- Myanmar Constitution Guidelines Ensure Military Power, The New York Times
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