Ethnic Groups Demand Input in Myanmar Land Reforms
Development organizations and farming groups from ethnic minority areas have called on the government to postpone land reforms, saying they will crush indigenous people’s rights.
After parliament resumes on Feb. 1, it is due to discuss a land law which has been planned since 2019 as a major reform for the new administration. Myanmar’s second investment policy review urged the government to enact land rights reforms to boost responsible foreign and domestic investment.
Ethnic minority farmers and Kachin, Karen, Rakhine, Mon, Chin and Karenni development organizations have demanded that the new government postpone the reforms, saying the legislation was drafted by the central government and neglects traditional land use methods.
Before the November general election, the National League for Democracy (NLD) launched a working plan to draft a national land law by mid-2021, calling on civil society organizations to help reform the National Land Use Council.
NAN LWIN
