(New York, March 9, 2018) – Burma’s parliament is considering proposed amendments to the country’s assembly law that would further restrict the right to peaceful assembly. The amendments to the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law were passed by the upper house on March 7, 2018, and are currently with the lower house for review.

The following quote can be attributed to Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch:

“The proposed amendments to Burma’s Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law are a major step backward in protecting the right to peaceful protest and should be withdrawn. While the revisions are purportedly aimed at ultra-nationalist and hate groups, overly broad legislation that restricts the rights of all people in Burma is the wrong way to tackle that problem.

As has been pointed out by Burmese civil society groups and parliamentarians, the amendments would make it easier for authorities to restrict assemblies and to arrest those organizing or participating in them. With dozens of peaceful protesters wrongfully arrested under the existing version of the law since the National League for Democracy came to power, these amendments are a step in the wrong direction. Parliament should heed the call of Burmese civil society groups and withdraw the bill.”

For more information, please contact:
In London, Linda Lakhdhir (English): +44-778-969-2780 (mobile); or [email protected]. Twitter: @LLakhdhir
In San Francisco, Brad Adams (English): +1-347-463-3531 (mobile); or [email protected]. Twitter: @BradMAdams
In New York, Richard Weir (English): +1-917-624-7185 (mobile); or [email protected]. Twitter: @rich_weir