Burma lifts ban on public gatherings

Published on 30/01/2013 01:26

Burma’s new reformist government has abolished a 25-year-old ban on public gatherings of more than five people, state media reported, ending a much-criticised order that was issued in 1988 on the day a military junta took power after crushing nationwide pro-democracy 
protests.

The state-run Myanma Ahlin newspaper reported yesterday that Order No 2/88 was abolished as it was not in line with a section of the constitution that says existing laws should remain valid as long as they are not contrary to the constitution, which guarantees basic rights such as freedom of expression.

The order had been applied to crush dissent against the military regimes that held sway until the elected government of president Thein Sein took office in 2011. His administration has instituted liberalisation, including the revocation of strict censorship.