Nay Pyi Taw, March (25)
According to the newly enacted Organization Registration Law, the military council is preparing to take action against organization that are operating without re-registration, the officials of the organization told Than Lwin Times.
The coup council adopted the Organization Registration Law on October 28, which allows the military regime to imprison members of the association and confiscate money and assets belonging to the association as state treasure.
After the enactment of the Organization Registration Law, the military council has met with the associations since March to explain the provisions of the law and warned that action would be taken against associations operating without registration.
According to Section 33 of the Organization Registration Law, anyone who forms an association without a registration certificate can be sentenced to three years in prison or a fine of not more than 100,000 Kyats.
An official of an association said, “It has been more than 60 days since the association law was passed, so the law is now in effect. I believe that the military council will begin taking action against those who do not follow the rules within the next three months.”
Civil society organizations are no longer free to serve the public, and due to the junta’s association registration law, organizations may be dissolved.
According to a civil society official, due to the military council’s Organization Registration Law, only organizations that have received foreign aid can register, and organizations that assist people on their own face difficulties.
According to Article 34 and Article 35 of the Organization Registration Law, any organization whose license has expired or whose registration certificate has been canceled shall not continue as an association and shall not participate as a member of an association without a registration certificate.
If found guilty of violating the provisions of these two sections, the law states that a fine of not more than 500,000 Kyats or imprisonment of up to two years must be imposed.
In addition, according to Section 38, any organizations that has received a registration certificate must not communicate directly or indirectly with organizations and individuals that are against the state, or those designated as terrorist groups by the state.
Legal experts say that the junta’s Organization Registration Law can take action against both registered and unregistered associations at any time, and is an effort to cut off the supply routes of opposition groups.
News-Than Lwin Times