Legal review commission

New Light of Myanmar posted an article today about the Commission on Legal Affairs and Special Cases. One of its tasks is to check whether existing laws conform with the constitution. On its face, it's a bit unclear whether the Hluttaw wouldn't just ask the Constitutional Tribunal to handle these issues - that is after all the whole point of constitutional review. It's also noteworthy that Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura Shwe Mann met with this commission, but was adamantly opposed to giving the tribunal abstract review. Why? Sadly, it's yet another question that only the mosquitos on the wall in Naypyidaw can probably answer at this point.

Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann meets members of Studying, Examining and Reviewing Commission on Legal Affairs and Special Cases

YANGON, 10 Dec—The Studying, Examining and Reviewing Commission on Legal Affairs and Special Cases was constituted with 15 members at the 48th day second regular session of the first Pyithu Hluttaw held on 16 November 2011.

Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann yesterday morning met members of the commission at the commission office (Yangon branch) at room 209-210 of No. 66/B at Yuzana Condo Tower at the corner of Shwegondine and Kaba Aye Pagoda Roads in Bahan Township.

It was also attended by Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Chairman of the Commission U Nanda Kyaw Swa and commission members, chairmen of Pyithu Hluttaw committees, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe, the speaker of Yangon Region Hluttaw and members and guests.

In his address, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann said that the commission is a Union level organization that was formed under section 2, subsection (h) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Law with experienced persons in legal, international and economic fields to be able to serve the interests of the Hluttaw and the State.

The commission is responsible for scrutinizing the existing laws whether they can be conformity with the constitution and Our Three Main National Causes—Nondisintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of National Solidarity and Non-disintegration of Sovereignty, whether they can serve the interests of the State and the citizens, and whether they can be in conformity with the international convention and for submitting the reports on amendment, revocation and new promulgation to the Hluttaw through the Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw.

The suggestions and assessments of the commission will contribute much towards undertakings of the Hluttaw in serving the interests of the State and the people. Moreover, the commission is to assess the laws concerning economic sector and give suggestions for economic reform of the State.

He called on the commission to take up its tasks dutifully for the Hluttaw and the State interests.

Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Junhua donated computer accessories for the Hluttaw Office. Chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw International Relations Committee U Hla Myint Oo accepted the donations. The Ambassador explained the purpose of donation.

Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann spoke words of thanks.

The Studying, Examining and Reviewing Commission on Legal Affairs and Special Cases is formed with Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U Nanda Kyaw Swa of Dagon Township Constituency as Chairman, U Thein Swe of An Constituency and U Htay Myint of Myeik Constituency as Vice-Chairmen. Commission members are retired Ambassador (Retd) U Lin Myaing, Director-General (Retd) U Mya Thein of the Supreme Court of the Union, Director- General (Retd) U Than Tun of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor (Retd) Dr Aung Tun Thet, Lt-Col Aung Khin Thein of Judge Advocate-General’s Office of the Commander-in- Chief (Army), Professors Dr Tin May Tun and Dr Thida Oo of the Ministry of Education, Director (Retd) U Tin Win of the Supreme Court of the Union, Region Law Officer (Retd) U Khin Maung Oo, Advocates U Myint Lwin and U Than Maung, and Deputy Director (Retd) Daw Than Than Yi of Attorney-General’s Office.