NGO reps to meet MPs over draft law

NGO reps to meet MPs over draft law

By Cherry Thein   |   Sunday, 11 August 2013

Representatives from local NGOs in upper and lower Myanmar will meet this week to prepare for discussions with MPs over the draft Association Law, which will govern how non-government groups register and operate.

Civil society groups are critical of the current draft, particularly the centralised registration process and punishments for individuals who violate provisions of the law. They argue it will discourage smaller groups from undertaking much-needed community activities and that the drafting process has been rushed and lacking in broad consultation.

The draft law prepared by the Pyithu Hluttaw Public Affairs Management Committee was published in state media on July 27 along with a note inviting public feedback before it is submitted to the parliament for discussion.

Under the current draft, all NGOs regardless of size will have to register with a central committee, which will also monitor their activities. Applications must be approved or denied within 90 days of submission and individuals who fail to abide by the law will face a fine of up to K500,000, a three-year prison term or both.

Daw Nwe Zin Win, chairperson of the National NGO Network, told The Myanmar Times that NGOs agreed that a registration law is needed but want the legislation to support and encourage civil society development.

"It is not acceptable to punish or fine NGOs which are using their own funds for humanitarian projects when they are not able to register," she said.

"Most NGOs are working to fulfil the needs of their communities. Do they have to stop their work if they can't afford the registration fee, even though there are many needs to be met? We feel the current version of the draft law is impossible to follow."

To strengthen their negotiating position, NGOs held workshops in Yangon and Mandalay on July 31 to discuss the draft and formed a 15-member working committee to suggest amendments.

About 100 NGO representatives met in Yangon on August 9, while an equivalent meeting was held in Mandalay. On August 13, delegates from lower Myanmar, including Yangon and Ayeyarwady regions and Mon and Rakhine states, will meet to collate feedback on the draft. An event will be held the same day in Mandalay with delegates from upper Myanmar, including Kachin and Shan states.

About 40 NGO representatives will discuss the recommendations with 60 MPs at a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on August 15.

"We will collect voices from all CSOs in the country as possible as we can," Daw Nwe Zin Win said. "We will explain our proposed amendments to our colleagues – both CSOs and members of parliament – so we can get a good result. Sometimes the media did not reflect our real thoughts on the law. We are not protesting against it. We will participate in the legal process."

An official from a Yangon-based civil society group said that while an association law is needed some sections of the current draft could hinder their activities.

"The government wants NGOs to follow the law. But both the government and NGOs should be responsible and accountable by law," he said.

An official from an NGO in Ayeyarwady Region said the provisions in the current draft contradicted statements made by President U Thein Sein.

"The president met all NGOs to encourage their work and invited them to collaborate and cooperate together for national development," said U Than Htike Aung of Pyokhin Thit, which is based in Maubin township.

"The law should be reasonable and easy to follow ... [but] we can't register under this law. We raise funds from our friends and conduct activities like free funerals, and feeding and educating street kids. If the law restricts our activities we will just stop them," he said, adding that 13 other civil society groups in Maubin had also objected to the draft.

The current law for registering organisations dates to 1988. Only a fraction of Myanmar's civil society groups are registered, as the process is long and expensive and groups say their activities are restricted once they register.

The law has also been applied unevenly, with groups close to the government able to register much faster than those perceived as being oppositional. In some cases, NGOs have waited years for a response to a registration application.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/11/ngo-reps-to-meet-mps-over-draft-law/