2023 May 16

   AT the invitation of Mr. Valery D Zorkin, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the delegation led by H.E Mr. Tha Htay, Chairperson of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union attended the Russian Federation International Conference, conducted in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court and held under the topic of “Constitution and Constitutional Supervision: Developing the Doctrine and Advancing Case Law” and the 11th St Petersburg International Legal Forum from 11 to 13 May. At the conference, the Chairperson of Constitutional Tribunal of the Union discussed about “Current Myanmar Constitutional Supervision and its Development”. It expressed that Myanmar has had three constitutions: the Constitution of the Union of Burma 1947, the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma 1974, and the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar 2008. The 2008 Constitution was formulated during a national Convention held with the participation of over 700 representatives from 8 strata of the society. The National Convention adopted and then the Referendum was held. Thus, the 2008 Constitution was promulgated with Referendum. It practices the Multi-party Democracy and constitutes Union System. The Citizen’s rights are also guaranteed in the 2008 Constitution. It performs the check and balance and control mechanism within the three branches of Sovereign power. Under Section 46 of the 2008 Constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, the first of its kind in Myanmar’s judicial system, was established. The Tribunal holds the supreme authority in matters pertaining to constitutional issues, and the decision of the Tribunal is final and conclusive. And then, there has the supremacy of constitution in Myanmar with the three-landmark decision of the Constitution. Presidents/ Chief Justices of the Constitutional Courts, legal experts and heads of international organizations from 16 countries attended the International Conference and discussed and share the knowledge about the Constitutional Evolution and experience of the Constitutional adjudication. The 11th St Petersburg International Legal Forum witnessed the participation of the Chief Justices, Ministers for Legal Affairs, Judges and legal experts from 54 countries. President H.E Mr. Valdimir Putin sent a message to International Legal Forum that is “Today, illegitimate sanctions, the fact that the principles of the equality of states and non-interference in their internal affair are ignored, termination of strategic stability treaties greatly undermine international law and degrade its very foundations. Russia has always upheld its unwavering commitment to promoting mutually beneficial partnerships on political and security matters, in the economy, research, culture and sports. We are certain that the rule of law and respect for national sovereignty provide a solid foundation for the emerging multipolar world order that is more democratic and just.” At the forum, one of the Plenary Sessions was led by Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy-Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and Ministers of Justice from Egypt, Iran, the Republic of Indonesia, representatives from the Supreme Court of India, the Legislative Council of Uzbekistan and the Chairman of the International Law Commission of Serbia discussed the topic of “Sovereignty in Law”. The Chairperson of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, H.E Mr. Tha Htay accompanied with Mr. Aung Kyaw Soe, Director and Mr. Aung Kyaw Zin, Assistance Director attended to the International Conference and the International Legal Forum.