APSN | Military factions join opposition to demand amnesty

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Military factions join opposition to demand amnesty

Irrawaddy - August 29, 2011

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Ko Htwe – Opposition parties within Burma's Parliament hold out some hope that "general amnesty orders" proposed by minority members will be passed, although the matter has been sent to the National Defense and Security Council led by President Thein Sein for more discussion.

Thein Nyunt, Rangoon MP for the Lower House, submitted proposals on Thursday that "the Hluttaw (Parliament) requests the president to continue issuing general amnesty orders" and "provide necessary arrangements for submitting a bill for a Prisons Act which is agreeable to the 21st century and guarantees human dignity," according to The Mirror (Kyemon) newspaper.

Two delegations from the Burmese Army also support the proposals and urged the new government to set their "comrades" who are serving prison sentences free. Some members from the regime-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) planned to propose a general amnesty for all prisoners, but the USDP remains reluctant to acknowledge the existence of "prisoners of conscience."

"I also support the proposals but I do not hold out hope that the government will allow amnesties for political prisoners. In the recent trip of UN Special Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana, they refused again to admit that there are any political prisoners," said an MP from the Lower House who asked to remain anonymous.

During his trip to Burma, Quintana met with several top officials in the capital of Naypyidaw. Upper House Speaker Khin Aung Myint recently said that political prisoners would be released when it is certain doing so would not disrupt the nation's peace and stability.

However, "I don't want to urge the government to allow an amnesty or otherwise. I'm hoping patiently although it may take a long time," said Thein Nyunt.

Burmese Army delegates encouraging general amnesty orders clearly shows that the power shift between the military and Parliament has become more intense since Thein Sein's adoption of his political role, claim observers.

Htay Aung, a Burmese military researcher, said that he is surprised that two army delegations support the amnesty, and that the self interest amongst government groups and within Parliament can now be clearly seen.

"The emergence of state and region ministers – some of them former military commander-in-chiefs – have blocked the authority of the current commander-in-chiefs of the regions. Recently, the duties of some commander-in-chiefs have been suspended in relation to the ministers for those particular states and regions. They see movements against each other in the measures taking place," said Htay Aung.

The two delegations are expected to be referring to ex-spy chief Gen Khin Nyunt and his officers who were arrested in late 2004 and are currently serving prison sentences, he added.

The Constitution guarantees the army one quarter of parliamentary seats. Low-ranking officers fill 25 percent of seats reserved for the military in the country's national, state and regional legislatures.

Under Burma's 2008 Constitution, 110 seats in the Lower House of the Union Parliament, 56 in the Upper House and 222 in the State and Regional Parliaments are reserved for military appointees selected by the country's armed forces chief.

Burma's second parliamentary session convened in Naypyidaw last week. The second session of Burma's Union Parliament included representatives of both the Upper and Lower Houses. The first session of Burma's Parliament convened for the first time in 22 years on Jan. 31.