Military regime draws criticism from international governments for dissolving 40 political parties

Yangon, March (31)

International communities have criticized the junta-appointed Union Election Commission's (UEC) announcement of the dissolution of 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), which has the most public support.

On March 29, the foreign ministries and spokespersons of the world powers, including the United States, Germany, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Japan, issued a statement condemning the dissolution of the parties.

The UK in Myanmar said the military regime’s decision to dissolve 40 political parties, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, is a further assault on the rights and freedoms of the Myanmar people.

French Embassy in Myanmar also stated that the junta’s decision to ban around 40 political groups is another step backwards when it comes to freedom of expression and assembly and testifies to the strategy of systematically dismantling the rule of law in Myanmar since the coup.

Similarly, the Embassy of Canada to Myanmar called on the regime to release those arbitrarily detained, including political leaders, and end the violence and targeting of civilians.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan expressed serious concern that further exclusion of the NLD from the political process will make it even more difficult to settle the country’s crisis, and urged the military regime to show a path towards a peaceful resolution of the situation in a manner that includes all relevant parties.

Australia is concerned that the strict political party registration law will further narrow the political field, and will demand credible elections and the restoration of democracy.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) responded on March 29 that the junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has absolutely no right to dissolve or approve the officially formed political parties, including the NLD.

According to Section 25 of the Political Parties Registration Law, parties that do not apply for registration as a political party within 60 days shall be deemed to have been automatically invalidated.

News-Than Lwin Times