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| Union Parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Union Parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) |
| Native name | ပြည်ထောင်စုလွှတ်တော် |
| Legislature | Legislature of Myanmar |
| Founded | 2011 |
| House type | Bicameral |
| Houses | House of Nationalities, House of Representatives |
| Leader1 type | Speaker of the Assembly of the Union |
| Meeting place | Naypyidaw |
Union Parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) is the bicameral national legislature established by the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar and convened in Naypyidaw as the central lawmaking body of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It comprises the House of Nationalities and the House of Representatives and operates under frameworks set by the Tatmadaw, the State Administration Council, and civilian parties such as the National League for Democracy and the Union Solidarity and Development Party. The body has played roles in periods associated with the 2010 Myanmar general election, the 2015 Myanmar general election, the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, and responses to international actors including the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the International Criminal Court.
The legislature traces origins to antecedents like the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League era assemblies, the 1952 Pyithu Hluttaw, and transitional bodies under the 1988 Uprising and the State Law and Order Restoration Council. The 2008 Constitution of Myanmar promulgated during the tenure of the State Peace and Development Council created the modern bicameral format, formalized after the 2010 Myanmar general election which featured parties including the National Unity Party and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy. The first terms saw tensions between the Tatmadaw and civilian caucuses such as the National League for Democracy culminating in legislative standoffs and legislative initiatives responding to crises like the Rohingya conflict and international actions including the European Union sanctions. The 2015 Myanmar general election produced a sizable National League for Democracy majority that changed legislative priorities until the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état which led to detention of legislators, emergency orders by the State Administration Council, and contested claims involving the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and appeals to bodies such as the United Nations Security Council.
The Assembly consists of two chambers: the Amyotha Hluttaw with representation allocated among the States and Regions of Myanmar and the Pyithu Hluttaw representing township constituencies defined by the Union Election Commission. The 2008 Constitution of Myanmar reserves 25% of seats for military appointees from the Tatmadaw, distinct from elected members from parties such as the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the Arakan National Party, and ethnic groups like the Karen National Union and the Kachin Independence Organisation. Leadership offices include the Speaker of the Assembly of the Union and deputy positions drawn from the two chambers, while procedural rules reference instruments like the Rules of Procedure and constitutional provisions concerning the President of Myanmar and the Constitutional Tribunal.
Constitutionally, the legislature enacts laws affecting statutes such as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law, ratifies international instruments involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United Nations, approves budgets tied to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and confirms appointments for offices including the Union Election Commission and the Supreme Court of Myanmar. The Assembly's competencies interact with executive authorities in matters involving the President of Myanmar, national security overseen by the Tatmadaw, and emergency powers invoked under articles contested by groups such as the Aung San Suu Kyi camp and oppositional politicians like Min Aung Hlaing. The legislature also holds investigative and oversight functions in inquiries related to events like the Kachin conflict and public expenditures scrutinized by watchdog entities such as the Auditor General of the Union.
Bills may originate in either chamber according to procedures influenced by precedents from the Constitution of Myanmar and modeled practices seen in parliaments like the Parliament of India and the House of Commons. Draft legislation is submitted by members, parliamentary groups including the National League for Democracy caucus, or the executive led by the President of Myanmar and undergoes committee review, readings, and floor debate in the Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw before reconciliation in joint sessions of the Assembly. Passage requires majorities that interact with the military quota established by the Tatmadaw, and presidential assent processes have been focal in disputes involving entities such as the Union Election Commission and the Constitutional Tribunal when contested by civil society organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
Leadership roles include the Assembly's Speaker of the Assembly of the Union, speakers of the Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw, and party leaders from groups such as the National League for Democracy, Union Solidarity and Development Party, and ethnic parties like the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy. Standing committees mirror functions in parliaments such as the Public Accounts Committee and committees addressing sectors involving the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Health and Sports, with membership drawn from regional delegations and military appointees. Special committees have been formed for constitutional amendment proposals involving the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar and inquiries following incidents such as clashes in Rakhine State and the Hlaingthaya massacre.
Elections for the Assembly have been organized by the Union Election Commission in cycles including the 2010 Myanmar general election, the 2015 Myanmar general election, and the 2020 Myanmar general election whose results precipitated the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. Constituencies correspond to townships of Myanmar and ethnic administrative units with parties like the Arakan Front Party and the Ta'ang National Party contesting seats alongside national parties. Membership includes civilian-elected MPs, military appointees from the Tatmadaw, and individuals who have faced legal actions under statutes such as the Official Secrets Act and charges used during periods of crisis by authorities like the State Administration Council.
The Assembly has been criticized by international and domestic actors including the United Nations, European Union, and civil society groups such as Fortify Rights for issues tied to the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar military clause, the detention of elected leaders from the National League for Democracy, handling of the Rohingya conflict, and legitimacy concerns arising from the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and subsequent actions by the State Administration Council. Debates over constitutional amendment have involved stakeholders like the National Unity Government and ethnic organizations including the Karen National Union, while observers from the International Crisis Group and media outlets such as The Irrawaddy and Myanmar Now have documented allegations of restrictions on parliamentary independence, human rights implications, and controversies in electoral administration by the Union Election Commission.