{"id":34039,"date":"2014-02-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-02-12T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ready-for-feedback3.com\/shape-history\/fmr\/willis\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T08:33:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:33:26","slug":"willis","status":"publish","type":"fmr_content","link":"https:\/\/www.fmreview.org\/ar\/crisis\/willis\/","title":{"rendered":"The potential role of a racial discrimination law in Myanmar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Under Myanmar\u2019s new Constitutional framework, and with legislative reform in process, it seems timely to consider whether a specific racial discrimination law could help address the entrenched issue of ethnic discrimination \u2013 and thereby reduce ethnic tensions, violence and the displacement of so many people.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

Myanmar\u2019s Constitution (Article 348) states that: \u201cThe Union shall not discriminate [sic<\/em>] any citizen of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, based on race, birth, religion, official position, status, culture, sex, and wealth.\u201d[2]<\/a> The determination of citizenship is prescribed by law, currently by the Citizenship Law 1982 which recognises 135 ethnic groups as \u2018national races\u2019 but does not include Rohingya ethnicity within these, thus denying citizenship to members of this ethnic group. Non-recognition of citizenship, in light of Article 348, also denies protection against discrimination under the Constitution.<\/p>\n

The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)[3]<\/a> provides for the promotion of \u201cuniversal respect for and observance of human rights, and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion\u2019 and, further, that \u201cthere is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere.\u201d The Convention requires States Parties to \u201ctake effective measures to review governmental, national and local policies and to amend, rescind or nullify any laws and regulations which have the effect of creating or perpetuating racial discrimination wherever it exists.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recognition that no state is immune from racism, legislators need to take seriously the need to enshrine a legislative response. While in Australia racial tensions in relation to Austalia\u2019s indigenous people are not at the same level as those in Myanmar in relation to the Rohingya ethnic group, Australia\u2019s policies in relation to its indigenous people have from time to time brought Australia, too, into disrepute. Australia ratified the ICERD in 1975 with the passage of its Racial Discrimination Act. While such legislation does not represent a panacea for racial discrimination, the legislation at least represents state recognition of a problem that demands a solution and the legislation has proven useful as a legal mechanism for redress where issues of racism arise.<\/p>\n

In Myanmar, some have called for the Rule of Law and Tranquillity Committee (RLTC), chaired by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to consider the Citizenship Law issue. The Committee\u2019s report of 31 July 2013 includes a recommendation that states \u201cshould aim to [sic<\/em>] a kind of peace that allows people and ethnic nationalities live and work under protection of the law for security of their lives with peace of mind.\u201d[4]<\/a> It is possible that the Citizenship Law could be reformed, or indeed that the Constitution could be amended. It seems reasonable to suggest that the RLTC could also consider recommending, as a parallel development, the ratification of the ICERD through a Racial Discrimination Law. Further, amendments to the Myanmar Constitution may be required to provide the relevant authorities with the power to ratify international conventions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nathan Willis nathan.willis@scu.edu.au<\/em><\/a> is a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University, Australia, and has previously worked in Myanmar.  <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n
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[1]<\/a> www.trust.org\/item\/20130912101837-el6ym  See also FMR issue 30 on \u2018Burma\u2019s displaced people\u2019 www.fmreview.org\/burma<\/a> 2008<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[2]<\/a> http:\/\/tinyurl.com\/Myanmar-Constitution-2008<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[3]<\/a> www.refworld.org\/docid\/3ae6b3940.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[4]<\/a> Rule of Law and Tranquility Committee, Myanmar, \u2018Report of the Rule of Law and Tranquility Committee\u2019 (31 July 2013).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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