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Burma rules out changing law that bars Aung San Suu Kyi from being president Burma rules out lifting ban on Aung San Suu Kyi presidency before election
(about 2 hours later)
Burma’s parliamentary speaker has ruled out pre-election changes to the junta-drafted constitution, which bars opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president. Burma’s parliamentary speaker has ruled out pre-election changes to the junta-drafted constitution, which bars the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president.
The comments by Shwe Mann came days after US president Barack Obama backed Suu Kyi’s attempts to change the charter during a visit to the country. Elections are due in November 2015. The comments by Shwe Mann came days after Barack Obama backed Aung San Suu Kyi’s attempts to change the charter during a visit to the country. Elections are due in November 2015.
The speaker said a referendum would be held next May on constitutional changes that are being thrashed out amid heated debate in the legislature.The speaker said a referendum would be held next May on constitutional changes that are being thrashed out amid heated debate in the legislature.
“We cannot perform constitutional amendments straight after the referendum,” Shwe Mann told reporters in the capital, Naypyidaw, adding it was “impossible to change [the charter] at this time” because of the scope of the likely changes. “We cannot perform constitutional amendments straight after the referendum,” Shwe Mann told reporters in the capital, Naypyidaw, adding that it was “impossible to change [the charter] at this time” because of the scope of the likely changes.
On Monday the powerful military voiced strong opposition to significant changes to the constitution, including clause 59f, which is thought to have been written specifically to thwart Aung San Suu Kyi. On Monday the military voiced strong opposition to significant changes to the constitution, including clause 59f, which is thought to have been written specifically to thwart Aung San Suu Kyi.
Legislators will choose a new president after the general election next November. But the veteran democracy campaigner cannot stand for the top post because the constitution bans those with a foreign spouse or children. Her late husband and two sons are British.Legislators will choose a new president after the general election next November. But the veteran democracy campaigner cannot stand for the top post because the constitution bans those with a foreign spouse or children. Her late husband and two sons are British.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party are expected to make big gains at the polls – the first general election they have fought since they swept 1990 polls. The then-junta ignored the result. Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party are expected to make big gains at the polls – the first general election they have fought since they swept the polls in 1990. The then junta ignored the result.
But the party has declined to put forward an alternative candidate if Aung San Suu Kyi, 69, cannot stand for the presidency.But the party has declined to put forward an alternative candidate if Aung San Suu Kyi, 69, cannot stand for the presidency.
Min Thu, an NLD MP, told AFP the party still hoped the leader would be able to become president after the election. “If people want it enough, everything will come true. Nothing can be done without the people’s desire,” he said.Min Thu, an NLD MP, told AFP the party still hoped the leader would be able to become president after the election. “If people want it enough, everything will come true. Nothing can be done without the people’s desire,” he said.
The Nobel laureate, who has publicly declared her desire to be president, last week told Obama the constitution was “unfair, unjust and undemocratic” and warned that Burma’s much vaunted reforms were stalling.The Nobel laureate, who has publicly declared her desire to be president, last week told Obama the constitution was “unfair, unjust and undemocratic” and warned that Burma’s much vaunted reforms were stalling.
The US leader took up the issue, telling reporters at her lakeside home that “the amendment process needs to reflect inclusion rather than exclusion”. “I don’t understand the provision that would bar somebody from running for president because of who [their] children are,” he said. The US president took up the issue, telling reporters at Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside home that “the amendment process needs to reflect inclusion rather than exclusion”.
“I don’t understand the provision that would bar somebody from running for president because of who [their] children are,” he said.
Unelected soldiers make up a quarter of Burma’s legislature, a hangover from military rule which ensures that the army continues to hold sway. Under section 436, any significant changes to the constitution require a majority vote of more than 75%, giving the last word to soldiers.Unelected soldiers make up a quarter of Burma’s legislature, a hangover from military rule which ensures that the army continues to hold sway. Under section 436, any significant changes to the constitution require a majority vote of more than 75%, giving the last word to soldiers.
During the parliamentary debate on Monday Colonel Htay Naing denied the constitution had been written to bar Aung Suu Kyi, adding that it was not the time to change section 436. During the parliamentary debate on Monday, Colonel Htay Naing denied that the constitution had been written to bar Aung San Suu Kyi, adding that it was not the time to change section 436.
Observers say the military, which kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 years under the junta, has never wanted her to have a chance at the presidency. Observers say the military, which kept Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 years under the junta, has never wanted her to have a chance at the presidency.
One Burma expert, who asked not to be named, said the army has long made clear they are not supportive of constitutional reform and this position would remain, “irrespective of Obama’s feelings on the matter”. One Burma expert, who asked not to be named, said the army had long made clear it was not supportive of constitutional reform, and this position would remain “irrespective of Obama’s feelings on the matter”.
“But the fact that they have also made their own suggestions for changes means they don’t see the constitution as a sacred text that cannot be altered. That’s significant,” he said.“But the fact that they have also made their own suggestions for changes means they don’t see the constitution as a sacred text that cannot be altered. That’s significant,” he said.
The NLD this year gained the signatures of about 5 million people on a petition to end the army’s veto on amending the charter. This year the NLD gained the signatures of about five million people on a petition to end the army’s veto on amending the charter.
Burma’s reform drive has lost much of its sheen in recent months, as efforts to end its multiple ethnic wars foundered and activists raised concerns that the country is rolling back on rights issues.Burma’s reform drive has lost much of its sheen in recent months, as efforts to end its multiple ethnic wars foundered and activists raised concerns that the country is rolling back on rights issues.
Shwe Mann, a former general who has indicated his own desire to stand for the presidency as head of the ruling party, said he was open to changing 59f, adding that amendment of the clause was not just to help “my friend” Suu Kyi. Shwe Mann, a former general who has indicated his own desire to stand for the presidency as head of the ruling party, said he was open to changing 59f, adding that amendment of the clause was not just to help “my friend” Aung San Suu Kyi.
“I want all citizens to get their full rights … the president’s position is for the person able to work in the best interests of the people and the country,” he added.“I want all citizens to get their full rights … the president’s position is for the person able to work in the best interests of the people and the country,” he added.