Civil society rallies for charter change
Published on Monday, 26 May 2014 19:12
YANGON - Some 3,000 people from 35 different civil society organisations held a mass rally in support of constitutional amendments in Yangon's East District on Sunday.
The protestors, having divided into two groups, marched from Thakayta and Dawbon townships to a football ground in Dawbon Township.
They shouted slogans such as 'Immediately amend Section 436', 'Down with Section 59 (f) and Section 6 (f).'
They also demanded constitutional amendments to reduce the military's role in politics, ensure ethnic equality, democracy and to improving people's living conditions.
The two groups assembled in the football ground, where political activists gave talks on amending Section 436.
"The current constitution does not give full rights for citizens. If we have real democracy, power must be in the hands of the people. But the constitution carries provisions entrusting most power to the military. Since the drafting of constitution, the public's wishes had not been sought. This is why we show our protest, which is not meant for an individual. We join the protest with the intention of having the constitution amended because it grants no full rights for our citizens," said Myint Oo, a protestor from Thakayta Township.
Among the 35 organisations were Generation Wave, Yangon School of Politics, We Generation, Laiza Peace Walk Group and All Myanmar Labour Unions Network.
The latest protest represents 14 townships in Yangon East District and it is the largest of all protests held in Yangon demanding for charter reform.
More than half of 42 townships in Yangon have also staged protests.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/05/26/civil-society-rallies-for-charter-change/
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