Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Burmese: ပြည်ထောင်စုလွှတ်တော် ကိုယ်စားပြုကော်မတီ; abbreviated CRPH) is a Burmese legislative body in exile, representing a group of National League for Democracy lawmakers and members of parliament ousted in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. The Committee consists of 17 members of the Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw.

The Committee claims to carry out the duties of Myanmar's dissolved legislature, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, and has formed a government in exile, the National Unity Government, in cooperation with several ethnic minority insurgent groups.

History

Representatives elected in the November 2020 elections have not officially recognized the legitimacy of the coup d'état. On 4 February 2021, around 70 MP-elects from the NLD took an oath of office in Naypyidaw, pledging to abide by the people's mandate, and to serve as lawmakers for their original five-year term. The following day, 15 NLD politicians led by Phyu Phyu Thin, a Pyithu Hluttaw member representing Yangon's Mingala Taungnyunt Township, formed the committee to conduct parliamentary affairs. The committee held its first session on Zoom.

On 7 February, CRPH condemned the military's efforts to overthrow a civilian-elected government as a "criminal act" in violation of Chapter 6 of the Myanmar Penal Code, and dismissed the legitimacy of Myint Swe's Cabinet. CRPH has also advised UN diplomats and the international community to work directly with the committee in relation to official government business.

On 9 February, CRPH enacted the State Counsellor Law, extending the term of the State Counsellor of Myanmar for another five years, through 1 April 2026. The same day, it issued a statement condemning the military's violent crackdown of the ongoing 2021 Myanmar protests, calling for the preservation of freedom of speech and its support of the civil disobedience movement.

On 10 February, the committee announced the addition of two elected MPs from ethnic political parties, namely the Ta'ang National Party and the Kayah State Democratic Party.

On 15 February, the junta charged the 17 members of the CRPH with incitement under section 505b of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

On 22 February, the committee appointed Sasa as its special envoy to the United Nations and Htin Linn Aung as special representative of its international relations office which opened in Maryland, United States of America.

On 1 March, CRPH declared the State Administration Council (SAC) a terrorist group for its "atrocities and the act of terrorism" on the unarmed civilians.

On 2 March, the committee appointed Zin Mar Aung, Lwin Ko Latt, Tin Tun Naing and Zaw Wai Soe as acting union ministers in its cabinet. On 9 March the committee appointed Mahn Win Khaing Than as Acting Vice-President of Myanmar

The CRPH withdrew its designation of all ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) as terrorist groups. The CRPH declared the abolishment of the 2008 Constitution and published a 20-page Charter for Federal Democracy on 2 April 2021.

On 16 April 2021, the CRPH announced the formation of the National Unity Government, which includes ousted lawmakers, members of ethnic groups, and key figures in the anti-coup protest.

In November 2021 and December 2023, the Inter-Parliamentary Union affirmed that the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is the legitimate interlocutor for Myanmar and its members are able to participate in the official business of the IPU as observers.

Structure

Chair

The Chair, chosen by CRPH members following the CRPH Handbook, has a key role. They oversee CRPH meetings, similar to a Speaker, and keep an eye on CRPH's activities with the help of the Secretary Board.

Additionally, the Chair also acts as the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, which is Myanmar's national legislative body. In this dual role, they lead elected representatives and play a crucial part in addressing the current crisis in Myanmar, both at home and abroad.

Secretary Board

Members

References

External links

• Official website
• Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Facebook