Last week I flagged that we were likely to see the military use Section 144 orders. There appear to be rumours that a section 144 order could apply to Yangon tonight. Its important to understand the history of section 144, how it has been used by the military in the past (1974, 1988, 2012 etc),Continue reading “Section 144 Orders and the Everyday Emergency”
Category Archives: MYANMAR
The Illegality of Myanmar’s Coup
The coup in Myanmar came in the wake of two major legal disputes – first, whether the military had the right to demand copies of electoral data, and two, whether the President and Speaker can refuse to convene a special session of the legislature. The military has raised both of these legal issues in itsContinue reading “The Illegality of Myanmar’s Coup”
State of emergency powers as a threat in Myanmar
We are now in the second day of protests amidst an internet blackout in Myanmar. Its important to keep in mind that the military has used the threat of a state of emergency in the past. Here is a reflection from my fieldwork in 2014 at a rally for constitutional amendment and the threats byContinue reading “State of emergency powers as a threat in Myanmar”
How Japan matters to Myanmar
It was big news yesterday when Japan’s Kirin announced that because of the military coup it would end its joint venture partnership with Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited, a military owned company. Here is an extract of some brief reflections of Japan’s role in law and development in Myanmar. “The largest donor by farContinue reading “How Japan matters to Myanmar”
Demonetising the currency and the Constitution in Myanmar
Today the military tried to reassure people with a public announcement citing section 36(e) of the Constitution. This is the provision that prohibits the government from demonetising the currency. I have often said to people that this is one of the few provisions of the Constitution with which all people in Myanmar would agree upon.Continue reading “Demonetising the currency and the Constitution in Myanmar”
Myanmar coup on the pretext of a constitutional fig leaf
*Note: this article first appeared in The East Asia Forum on 3 February 2020 On 1 February, the world was shocked by a military coup in Myanmar and the arrest of State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other political leaders. It shouldn’t have been so surprised. Much of the military’s manoeuvresContinue reading “Myanmar coup on the pretext of a constitutional fig leaf”
Mega constitutional questions in Myanmar
The coup in Myanmar as thrown up a whole lot of mega-constitutional questions. Some of the big ones include: was the Constitution ever legitimate in the first place? Who gets to have the final say on the Constitution? Has the military actually followed the Constitution, as it claimed? And, to what extent can the ConstitutionContinue reading “Mega constitutional questions in Myanmar”
Myanmar’s empty promise of constitutional reform
*This article was first published here in The Interpreter on 3 February 2020 Myanmar’s transition in 2011 was only ever partial. After all, the country transitioned from direct military rule without a constitution, to a constitutional system where the military reserved for itself unelected seats in parliament. The National League for Democracy (NLD) was wellContinue reading “Myanmar’s empty promise of constitutional reform”
Why Myanmar’s Military is Wrong: This is not a Constitutional Emergency
*This article was first published in The Age as ‘The power and ambition behind Myanmar’s coup’ on 2 February 2020 Aung San Suu Kyi is back in familiar territory, under arrest. Early Monday morning she, along with the president and many others, were arrested in a cunning move by the military. So far, at leastContinue reading “Why Myanmar’s Military is Wrong: This is not a Constitutional Emergency”
The risks of constitutional change in authoritarian regimes
In a recent book chapter I analyse the risks that democratic actors face if they seek to reform a constitution drafted by an authoritarian regime – taking Myanmar as the case in point. Melissa Crouch (2020) ‘Authoritarian Straightjacket or Vehicle for Democratic Transition?: The Risky Struggle to Change Myanmar’s Constitution’ in Tom Ginsburg and AzizContinue reading “The risks of constitutional change in authoritarian regimes”
Melissa Crouch 