What do Myanmar political parties say about the new meeting restrictions?

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Myanmar Political Parties Criticise New Restrictions on Foreign Meetings

Myanmar's political parties have voiced strong opposition to the ruling junta's new edict requiring them to seek permission before meeting with foreigners or international organisations. Former NLD lawmaker Soe Thura Tun described the directive as undemocratic and a violation of the right to freedom of association, stating that it is inappropriate to impose such restrictions. Ko Ko Gyi, the chair of the People’s Party, characterised the announcement as unprecedented and a negative omen for the legitimacy of Myanmar's upcoming election, predicting significant damage to public trust and the international community's faith in the democratic process.
Undemocratic Nature of the Edict

The new regulations, issued by the junta-stacked Union Election Commission, mandate that all 92 registered political parties must obtain prior approval to engage with foreign individuals or entities. This move has been met with considerable backlash from political actors within Myanmar, who argue that it infringes upon fundamental democratic principles. Soe Thura Tun specifically highlighted that the restrictions do not respect the right to freedom of association, a cornerstone of democratic societies.
Concerns Over Election Legitimacy

Ko Ko Gyi expressed grave concerns regarding the potential impact of these restrictions on the upcoming elections, which are anticipated to take place next year. He stated that the announcement is unprecedented and casts doubt on whether the election will be a genuine exercise in democracy. The chair of the People’s Party believes that such actions by the junta will severely erode trust among the Myanmar populace and the international community regarding the integrity of both the election and the broader democratic system.
Accusations of Foreign Interference

The Union Election Commission, in its statement announcing the new rules, also accused foreign embassies and international non-governmental organisations of interfering in the 2020 polls, alleging that this interference led to fraud. This justification for the new restrictions has been rejected by opposition parties, who view the edict as an attempt by the junta to control political discourse and isolate domestic political movements from external engagement and scrutiny.

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What do Myanmar political parties say about the new meeting restrictions?

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