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[1 July 2012] - Myanmar non-government organisations are lobbying Pyithu Hluttaw representatives to change restrictive rules that govern the registration and operations of NGOs. Registration is currently a time-consuming and relatively expensive process, and under the existing law registered organisations are forbidden from accepting members of the clergy, members of political parties or former political prisoners as members. Organisations are calling for the 1988 law to be amended or repealed and also for township officials to adopt a more cooperative approach to NGOs, in line with President U Thein Sein’s pledge to work more closely with civil society. Daw Nilar Myaing, director of the Local Resource Centre, a Yangon-based body that works to improve operating conditions for civil society organisations and dialogue with donors and the government, said policy changes at the national level were not filtering down to township-level officials, making it difficult for many Myanmar NGOs to operate. “We need the right policies and role for local NGOs so we will try to amend the [1988] law at the next hluttaw session. We are negotiating with the Ministry of Home Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw about the current registration process,” she said at a May 30 press conference at Yangon’s Central Hotel. “The Local Research Centre surveyed 40 local NGOs and the results showed they were facing some problems, particularly with registration, because the process is not uniform and they have to work with the township officials. The registration fee is K500,000 and this is a burden for smaller organisations,” she added. In consultation with 70 Myanmar NGOs, the Local Resource Centre has drafted a set of points that it is pushing to be addressed or included in the new or amended law. A Yangon Region Hluttaw representative, Daw Nyo Nyo Thin, is assisting the centre and helping it link up with Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives and the parliamentary committee for NGO affairs. In April, a presidential adviser said the government would welcome proposed changes to the law, which was introduced in September 1988 following nationwide protests. “The current law for [registration of] NGOs will be amended following a proposal from a member of parliament,” adviser Dr Nay Zin Latt said. “The government wants to increase cooperation with NGOs … [and] intends to loosen restrictions gradually.” Meanwhile, NGO representatives who attended the meeting last month said officials in Rakhine State and Mandalay Region were the most difficult to work with. U Maung Thet Tin, a spokesperson for environmental group Seinyaungso, said NGOs in three districts of Mandalay Region had received instructions to register and told that if they did not do so they would be unable to conduct any activities or projects. Those who defied the order would face legal action, including five years imprisonment for organisation leaders and three years for members, the groups were told. “The chief minister of Mandalay Region told local organisations [in April] to register within two months. But most local NGOs, including our group, are still not registered.” In Mandalay Region, officials also warned groups that monks and nuns were not allowed to be members of non-government organisations, said Dr Win Myint, president of the Byamaso group. “We do many social welfare activities in Mandalay but we especially focus on free funeral services. In Mandalay there are 61 social organisations doing free funeral services and until now we just had to pay K30,000 in tax to the Mandalay [City Development Committee] each year. But now the chief minister is forcing us to register,” he said. “We want to register but the fees are very high – we think K10,000 a year is a suitable amount.” 88 Generation leader U Ko Ko Gyi said his group faced challenges registering because the 1988 law banned political party members and former political prisoners from joining non-government organisations. “It is not fair that NGOs are unable to be involved in politics. I would like to suggest to the government that the 1988 registration law is too restrictive and the government should introduce a new law that is free and fair for all.” The Ministry of Home Affairs declined to comment on the issue but U Ko Ko Hlaing, chief presidential adviser for political affairs, said NGOs knew what they needed to do to have the law changed. “They have to submit a draft through a Pyithu Hluttaw representative and after it receives the approval of the majority of the hluttaw it will be approved by the president,” he said last week. “All levels of the government will follow the new law.” Further Information: