Around 300 people have already sought legal advice at the National
League for Democracy (NLD) office in Naypyidaw since the party began a lawyers
network group on Aug. 15.
Burma’s pro-democracy icon Aung
San Suu Kyi chairs the parliamentary Rule of Law Committee and offered lawyers
in the capital a room at her party office to conduct weekend consultations.
The NLD leader attended the
opening ceremony of the scheme which aims to educate Burmese citizens regarding
their rights and responsibilities as the country emerges from half-a-century of
military dictatorship.
“Around 30 to 40 people came to
our office on the first day. Then more people kept coming on other days and
almost 300 people have now been consulted and received legal advice since
then,” said Khin Maung Zaw, a leading member of the lawyers network group.
“Many of the cases were
concerning land confiscations and we advised them to propose their case to the
land confiscation investigation committee at Parliament. We showed the people
how to write complaint letters and how to submit these to Parliament and the
President’s Office.”
The complaint letters are
generally submitted to the relevant government department through the Judiciary
and Legal Affairs Committee chaired by Thura Aung Ko, the Unity Solidarity and
Development Party MP for Kanpetlet constituency in Mindat, Chin State. However,
some complaints are addressed directly to NLD MP Min Thu and then forwarded to
Suu Kyi.
Since the NLD participated in the
by-elections on April 1, the party has strived to enshrine the rule of law in
Burma, according to MP Phyo Zay Yar Thaw. “This legal advice team may offer a
lot of hope for people where they can come and have the opportunity to seek
advice,” he told The Irrawaddy.
Those who have used the service
did not only come from Naypyidaw but all different parts of Burma including the
Wa Special Region in northern Shan State and the Mon State capital Moulmein,
according to the lawyers network group.
The scheme’s Naypyidaw office is
open from 10 am to 4 pm each Saturday and Sunday and is staffed by five senior
lawyers and another 15 trainees. “We offer people advice based on what they
need and it does not have to only be about the land confiscation issue,” said
Khin Maung Zaw.
Some complaint cases have already
been brought to court and received a verdict which the plaintiff then wants to
challenge. Sometimes the victims are forced to immediately vacate their houses
by the authorities who claim their land is illegally occupied, but the lawyers
network group provides advice on how to appeal at court in order to allow residents
to stay longer.
“One company confiscated around
200 acres of farmland for a project,” said Khin Maung Zaw. “But they only
actually needed 90 acres for the project and the company officials were just
sharing the rest of the property between themselves for personal gain.
“We have a duty to do this work
as we are lawyers. We charge money at other times, but this work we do for
free. I feel very happy as I can work for the people directly. I found many
people put a lot of hope in us and feel reassured after they talk with us.”
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