NLD leader seeks international help to amend constitution
NLD leader seeks international help to amend constitution
Mizzima News, 15 Jun 2014
URL: http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima-news/world/item/11476-nld-leader-seeks-international-help-to-amend-constitution
KATHMANDU (AFP) – The leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has called on the international community to support her campaign to change a military-drafted constitution that bars her from becoming president and help prepare "a fair playing ground" for elections next year.
The NLD leader has been campaigning to amend the charter since she was elected to parliament two years ago.
Article 59(f) in the 2008 Constitution blocks anyone whose spouse or children are foreign citizens from becoming president– a clause widely believed to be targeted at the Nobel laureate, whose two sons are British.
A parliamentary constitutional amendment review committee last week voted overwhelmingly not to amend 59(f) but its final recommendations will be decided after they are submitted to parliament.
In a speech to Nepal's parliament on June 14, Suu Kyi said she wanted to participate in "genuine democratic elections, not just free but fair".
"Fair elections mean a fair playing ground," she added, explaining her campaign to amend the constitution.
"The movement for constitutional amendment is gaining ground," she said.
"It is very important that all our friends from all over the world keep aware of the developments in Burma and aware of the fact there are those who are trying to divert attention from genuine political needs."
The NLD has intensified its campaign to amend the constitution and last month launched a petition seeking changes to the charter. The move came as part of a joint campaign with the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group.
The campaign has also targeted Article 436 of the constitution, which requires a vote of at least 75 percent in the Union parliament to amend the charter, giving the unelected military members who hold 25 percent of the seats an effective veto over any changes.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s trip to Nepal includes a visit on June 15 to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, before being awarded the country's top peace prize.
The NLD leader has been campaigning to amend the charter since she was elected to parliament two years ago.
Article 59(f) in the 2008 Constitution blocks anyone whose spouse or children are foreign citizens from becoming president– a clause widely believed to be targeted at the Nobel laureate, whose two sons are British.
A parliamentary constitutional amendment review committee last week voted overwhelmingly not to amend 59(f) but its final recommendations will be decided after they are submitted to parliament.
In a speech to Nepal's parliament on June 14, Suu Kyi said she wanted to participate in "genuine democratic elections, not just free but fair".
"Fair elections mean a fair playing ground," she added, explaining her campaign to amend the constitution.
"The movement for constitutional amendment is gaining ground," she said.
"It is very important that all our friends from all over the world keep aware of the developments in Burma and aware of the fact there are those who are trying to divert attention from genuine political needs."
The NLD has intensified its campaign to amend the constitution and last month launched a petition seeking changes to the charter. The move came as part of a joint campaign with the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group.
The campaign has also targeted Article 436 of the constitution, which requires a vote of at least 75 percent in the Union parliament to amend the charter, giving the unelected military members who hold 25 percent of the seats an effective veto over any changes.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s trip to Nepal includes a visit on June 15 to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, before being awarded the country's top peace prize.