Translation of colonial-era laws discussed at Pyithu Hluttaw

 July 25, 2017

The translation into Myanmar of colonial-era laws written in English and still in use was one of the issues discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Pyithu Hluttaw.

Daw Khin Saw Wai, of Yathedaung constituency, asked whether there were any arrangements to translate laws written in English promulgated during colonial rule which are still in use into Myanmar.

U Win Myint, Deputy Attorney General, replied, “The motion … was discussed in the Amyotha Hluttaw meeting held on 26th March 2014. Then, Amyotha Hluttaw approved to draft the bill for successful promulgation of the law forming a commission to translate existing laws written in English into Myanmar. According to the approval of Hluttaw, the Law Translation Commission had been formed strictly in the financial year 2016-2017. The Office of the Union Attorney General has been assigned to render the laws written in Myanmar into English, whereas he was not assigned to translate the bills to be submitted to Hluttaw into English. Yet, the Office of the Union Attorney General will help to render the clause from English to Myanmar, provided that a parliamentarian would like to amend the existing laws written in English.”

Afterward, U Myint Oo of Thanatpin constituency put forward a motion to discuss “Bill on Myanmar Traditional Medicine Council” at the Hluttaw, and U Soe San Thet of Myinmu constituency seconded. Then, U Win Myint, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw announced that it was transferred to Pyithu Hluttaw Drafting Committee.

As regards the important motion that the news release dated on 21st July 2017 issued by Ms Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar was severely rejected submitted by Daw Thandar of Einme constituency, U Maung Myint of Mingin constituency said, “The present visit of Ms Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur, was the third itinerary at the time of the incumbent government, being the sixth of all her visits here. Yet, she never made a good report on Myanmar and her reports were found to become worse trip after trip. Though being an opposition party, we will stand for the incumbent government as the present matter is concerned with the national benefit. The former successive governments tried their best to firmly stand in the United Nations mainly influenced by EU and OIC. Our country is a sovereign nation. Had the country obediently accepted pressure and resolutions without binding of UN or international organisations, the country would become the country as said by Bogyoke Aung San for sure. I hereby urge the government not to end the matter just by discussing in Hluttaw, instead to defend the national sovereignty and national interest via diplomatic channels. And I deeply support the motion of objection of the report of Ms Yanghee Lee.”

Major Kyaw Zin Moe, Tatmadaw Pyithu Hluttaw representative discussed in support, “I deeply support that the news release on the wrong pretext of human rights over systematic solution on conflicts happening in Rakhine State by Myanmar government, dated on 21st July 2017 issued by Ms Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar was severely rejected. For UN, local and international organisations to be able to rightly assess over situations on cooperation among the Government, the people and Tatmadaw, the Government, Hluttaw, the people and mass media need to cooperate with the Tatmadaw’s attitudes and stance for the national security, with the spirits of patriotism and nationalism. And, Myanmar should draw and promulgate rules and laws on national security promulgated by international countries.”

Regarding the important motion, U Kyaw Tin, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs discussed the motion in support, with Hluttaw deciding to unanimously approve the motion.

The 34th meeting of the 5th regular session, 2nd Pyithu Hluttaw will be held on 27th July, it has been learnt.

Thura Zaw, Mi Mi Phyo 

(Myanmar News Agency)

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar