Myanmar: PEN Myanmar's latest statements on the military coup in Myanmar
Statement (04/2021) - 11 February 2021
The military government is asking for comments from the Department of Communication, Ministry of Transportation and Communication, regarding the Cyber Security Bill, and also making an attempt to enact the bill.
In the bill there are some sections that will negatively affect the Freedom of Expression and Internet Freedom, which are the values of PEN Myanmar. Therefore, PEN Myanmar is very concerned about the rights and freedom of the people of Myanmar.
PEN Myanmar declares that the legislative power of the Union of Myanmar lies with the Committee Representing the Pyithu Hluttaw, which is formed with the recognition of the members of the parliament genuinely elected by the constituents, and that the military leaders who have illegally seized the power do not have the right. Since PEN Myanmar firmly regards that laws, ordinances, and directives issued by the military dictators as unlawful and does not recognise them.
PEN Myanmar Centre
Statement (03/2021) - 10 February 2021
We PEN Myanmar welcome and totally support the reappointment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as the State Counsellor by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, which has been formed with the 2020 elected representatives.
PEN Myanmar Centre
Statement (02/2021) - 7 February 2021
PEN Myanmar expresses its full support for the formation of the committee representing elected members of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, which is mentioned in the statement 2/2021 issued on February 5, 2021 by the NLD members of the parliament.
The statement declares that the committee was formed with fifteen elected members of the parliament in order to perform the duties entrusted by the citizens, to ensure the immediate and unconditional released of the arrested leaders including the president and the state counsellor, and to carry out the regular functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.
PEN Myanmar also stand with the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw which will act as a committee responsible for the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and to implement the statement 1/2021 issued on February 3, 2021 by the members of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, and use the authority of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to communicate and cooperate with the international community including the United Nations and to form a government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
PEN Myanmar Centre
Background
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is Myanmar's national legislature. Bicameral in its composition with an upper house (Amyotha Hluttaw) and a lower house (Pyithu Hluttaw), 75% of its seats are filled by members who are elected directly by the voting public, with the remaining 25% the seats are allocated to military personnel.
Following the recent elections that saw the NLD party secure a ruling majority, the Myanmar military seized power and dissolved the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.
As mass protests continue to grow in size across Myanmar in an act of peaceful defiance against the military coup, a group of elected parliamentarians have formed the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), arguing that the military's dismantling of the elected government is unconstitutional and its rule is illegitimate.
The CRPH has pledged to ensure the release of those illegitimately detained by the military and to the continue the functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw as entrusted by the people of Myanmar.
