2nd Pyithu Hluttaw 5th regular session 23rd day meeting

June 29, 2017

In the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting held yesterday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin responded to a question by U Hla Htay Win of Zeyathiri constituency on arrangements made by the government on objecting and resisting a resolution by United Nations Human Rights Council forming and sending a Rakhine State fact-finding mission.

Minister of State U Kyaw Tin said the Human Rights Council at its 34th regular session on 24 March 2017 adopted the resolution without a vote.

Since Myanmar is not a member country of the Human Rights Council, it does not have a right to demand a vote on the resolution. However, when the resolution was made, Myanmar permanent representative to Human Rights Council do not agree with the resolution and dissociate from it. Similarly, council member countries like India and China also voiced their disagreement said the Minister of State.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on March 24 rejecting the resolution and dissociated from it. When Human Rights Council president contacted Myanmar permanent representative on the formation of the fact-finding mission, Myanmar permanent representative explained that since Myanmar officially dissociated from the resolution, it will not cooperate in the process. Myanmar embassies were also informed of not allowing the fact-finding mission into Myanmar added the Minister of State.

In the State Counsellor’s trips to European Union headquarter and western countries in May and June, she had rejected the forming and sending of the fact-finding mission. She also rejected firmly about this in wherever country she went on a visit.

An Investigation Committee to probe the background situations that led to violent attacks that occurred on 9 October and 12-13 of November in Maungtaw, Rakhine State led by Vice President U Myint Swe was formed in 1 December 2016 and it was conducting investigations in the areas where the incident happen. Arrangements were made with Bangladesh for the commission to visit Cox Bazar in Bangladesh to conduct investigations and once a report from this commission is published, it will effectively counter the international pressure on accepting the fact-finding mission.

Suggestions in an Interim Report of Rakhine State Advisory Commission headed by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan will also be implemented in accordance to the ground situation said Minister of State U Kyaw Tin.

Responding to a question by Daw Cho Cho of Ottwin constituency on repair and upgrading 25 beds Ottwin Township Hospital, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr. Myint Htwe said fund for repair work is ready for allocation if the medical officer in the hospital request for it but there is no plan to upgrade the hospital as the patient occupancy rate is not up to the level requiring an upgrade. An upgrade will be considered once the occupancy rate reaches the set level added the Union Minister.

Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr. Myint Htwe also answered to health related questions asked by U Moe Shwe of Putao constituency and Dr. Oo Aung Khin of Pyin Oo Lwin constituency.

Next, a motion urging the government to draw a sports calendar and hold sports competition in basic education schools, universities and colleges to develop outstanding sports personnel honoring the country and developing Myanmar sports submitted by UTin Htway of Waw constituency was discussed by 11 hluttaw representatives and Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe explained to approve it.

Hluttaw then decided to approve the motion.

Additionally, the day’s meeting included hluttaw deciding and confirming the bill on amending the guardian and ward law, the reading of annual reports of Pyithu Hluttaw economic and financial development committee and transport, communication and construction committee.

Kyaw Thu Htet, Aye Aye Thant (MNA)

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar