Article 436 Amendment Campaign Set to Launch in Mon State

Khittar Non – June 14th will mark the start of a campaign calling for amendment to Article 436, the constitutional clause which effectively bars any reform of the constitution without full military approval. The campaign is set to begin in the Moulmein Capital of Mon State.

According to Moulmein campaign host Ko Kyi Zaw Lwin, several groups have come together to form a joint-committee to organize the campaign, including the Moulmein-district branch of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the 88 Generation Peace and Transparency Society Group, the Mon National Party (MNP), Mon State Student Unions, as well as local Moulmein-based society organizations.

“As a joint-committee”, says Ko Kyi Zaw Lwin, “They will give public speeches, not only in Moulmein Capital, but other [townships] across Mon State, too, to discuss how Article 436 should be amended.”

The Article 436 amendment campaign committee includes representatives from 10 townships throughout Mon State. The committee will organize campaigns, host public meetings, present public speeches, distribute pamphlets about the issue, and invite people to sign a petition calling for amendment of Article 436.

Ko Htay Kywe from 88 Generation Peace and Transparency Society Group, along with U Nyan Win and Daw Khin Htay Kywe from NLD will attend the public meetings and present public speeches.
According to MNP joint-secretary Dr. Min Kyi Win, the MNP has agreed to join the NLD, as offered, to call for amendment to Article 436.

“Our party has supported amendment to the 2008 constitution, and to [appeal] for people to sign the petition to call for amending Article 436, our party will join NLD”, said Dr. Min Kyi Win.

Ko Kyi Zaw Lwin notes that the MNP is invested in this campaign and the importance of calling people to sign the petition; MNP members in respective townships throughout Mon State will help organize this effort.

Public meetings, speeches, and campaigns for amendment of Article 436 have taken place in many townships and divisions throughout Burma.

As Article 436 requires at least 75% support of Union Hluttaw (parliament) representatives for any amendment to the constitution, followed by approval of more than half the voters in a nationwide election, it is necessary that this clause first be amended in order to allow further amendment of the 2008 Constitution.