Burma: President receives John Burcow, UK Parliament Speaker

Burma's President Thein Sein received a British delegation led by Speaker of the House of Commons, UK Parliament Mr. John Bercow and party at the Credentials Hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay-Pyi-Taw on Tuesday, the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper said today. The British Speaker of the House of Commons was accompanied by six parliamentarians of UK Parliament.

According to the newspaper, President Thein Sein and UK Parliament Speaker John Bercow had discussions on topics of release of political prisoners as well as taking penalizing actions against those involved in the conflicts between the two communities in Rakhine State and some other districts.  The two also talked about some issues such as humanitarian assistance to victims in conflict-stricken areas, constitutional amendments, humanitarian assistance for victims in Kachin State and peacemaking development to terminate domestic armed conflicts.

They also discussed on freedom of worship and opening of a branch of Office of the United Nation High Commissioner on Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in Myanmar (Burma).

President U Thein Sein receives a British delegation led by Speaker of the House of Commons, UK Parliament Mr. John Bercow and party at the Credentials Hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay-Pyi-Taw on 30 July 2013. (Photo: http://www.president-office.gov.mm/en)

The President responded to the aforesaid issues that mechanisms were being underway to guarantee the Rule of Law and socio-economic development of the country in line with the desires of the people.

President Thein Sein said that freedom of worship was allowed within the country in accord with the Constitution. He also explained that conflicts occurred in Rakhine State and some other districts were criminal cases exaggerated and aggravated later due to instigation far and wide. As said by him, punishing measures were being taken against the persons behind in reference to the law regardless of race and religion.

Speaker of People's Parliament Thura Shwe Mann also met the British parliamentary delegation led by Mr. John Bercow at Zabuthiri Hall in Parliament Complex on the same day. They had wide-ranging discussions on political reforms in Burma, parliamentary affairs and matters related to bilateral cooperation and amity and friendship between the two countries, the state-run media said.

John Bercow is a constant critic on the human violations of the former military rulers. In 2007 September, John Bercow wrote a harsh criticism – This vile regime in Burma has to be confronted – towards the previous junta through the 'The Independent' online newspaper.

 John Bercow wrote, " I returned last week from a visit to the India-Burma border, with the human rights charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide and my Parliamentary colleague Caroline Cox. I heard tales of unimaginable brutality. I met people from Chin State in western Burma who had fled for their lives bearing tales of daily fear and misery – a cocktail of torture, killings, forced labour and rape, combined with more insidious policies of forced marriage, religious persecution and cultural genocide served up by the military."

He concluded his article by a message that Burmese people no freedom. People always live in fear. They are prisoners in their own country. The world urgently needs to hear that cry – and respond.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/31/burma-president-receives-john-burcow-uk-parliament-speaker-2/