“'$+/,&<$H&$+"&#/5&#=%6>&'#3=% '$+/,&<"&'9:;% $\"c+d\"!H$A=/.%&” J #!/#%#60<'87!% '=+A,&G:% -1>)/Y-H&87!%-1<B%S Recommendations to the government and parliament Develop new laws in consultation with civil society organisations including gender-focused ones and in accordance with international standards: • • • • An access to information law. A broadcasting law and public service media law. This legislation should include a requirement for the principles of diversity and pluralism to be considered as part of the licensing of channels. The principle of diversity should be explained in the law as meaning that all gender and other minorities should be represented in programmes and should participate in decision making bodies, both of public and private channels. An anti-discrimination law, which must explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of “tradition” or “culture” by state and non-state actors. A law to address gender-based violence, to be followed by the implementation of appropriate regulations and properly funded programmes that clearly set out that – and how - all parts of the public administration should swiftly apply them. Make amendments to current laws: • • • • • Publicly commit to the need to challenge gender-based discrimination and reform all customs and laws that civil society identifies as either de jure or de facto furthering such discrimination. Amend the Constitution, including Articles 109(b) and 141(b) which grant parliamentary seats to the military, and Article 352 which limits anti-discrimination provisions. Amend the Association Registration Law to ensure that women and people with lower literacy levels are able to organise and create associations. Amend the Right to Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Act, establishing a clear procedure for voluntary notifications and prohibiting the requirement for permission to assemble. Amend the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law to bring it into accordance with the Paris Principles; ensuring Article 7(c) explicitly defines the minimum number of women necessary in the Commission.1 '!/ 5 & >() : ; % 2C # % 6 #"% < / 5 P 'W=A 8 -,*+=% =+"&/$#.%&#@BH$)+6>& '73QO'!B%&$+"&'-1'G:% '>-%D=%2@$M'73QO'!B%&$+"&():;% -@&6-1:%&#/5:%-:%] (/5:%:A#=" !A*+/.%!AFC.%&$+"&():;%'BH 6'"=%-1 T-60$+"& *+$)#%8*:%& • • “<#:%&'*+=%'2=% >?@*3:;% T-60” “'<A2C:;%T-60():;% 8-B%<@-/5:%G.%69":%$M25-%:.%& $H0H?"T-60” (?:%&</5P T-608-,>"I '<A2C:;% 2/5:%&$+"&'"& 2/5:%!:%6-&>"#3:% '$+/,&!5A8*:%&():;% c\5G10 '68**A!B%&$+T%&$+"&=/5 2/5'-%*+=%#!%>-%'87!% 4B;%<3:%&!T%&!"&<:;%-1<B%S '$+/,&!5A8*:%&9/5<B%=/5 T-60I ARTICLE 19 - Censored gender: Women’s right to freedom of expression and information in Myanmar - Page 4