Myanmar News Articles: Fiona Bruce MP lends political hand in Burma

Fiona Bruce MP lends political hand in Burma

7:00am Saturday 10th August 2013 in News

Fiona Bruce MP with Aung San Suu Kyi

FIONA Bruce MP put her Parliamentary recess to good use by travelling to Burma to work with the Asian country's Government and Members of Parliament this summer.

Renowned campaigner-turned politician Aung San Suu Kyi invited the speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, led a delegation of three MPs, including Mrs Bruce, to work with Parliamentarians on strengthening the country's democratic structures.

Burmese MPs asked for the visiting MPs help on how to represent their constituents and advice on how to work democratically.

Mrs Brice said: "It was great privilege to be involved in this delegation; the country of Burma still has a long way to go in terms of respect for human rights, individual freedom, justice and rule of law. "Anyone under the age of sixty has virtually no experience of living in a free country and the democratic structures in Burma are still very weak."

The MPs ran a session on the function of Select Committees and how these are meant to scrutinise and challenge the Government – and not do the bidding- and Aung Sang Suu Kyi also requested research help. After sixty years of dictatorial military rule Burma held elections two years ago during which Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to Parliament. Mrs Bruce added: "Despite the elections, severe fighting still exists amongst several ethnic groups in parts of Burma. "

We met with several representatives from different groups and proposed the appointment of an independent international mediator to facilitate peace talks between them and including the Burmese National Government – much as Senator John Mitchell facilitated talks in Northern Ireland."

The visiting party also used the opportunity to challenge the current President of Burma to use his authority to stop the fighting and urged him to arrange the immediate release of political prisoners who were detained for speaking out against the previous regime. Reflecting on the eight day working visit, Mrs Bruce said: "Some people may ask, why undertake this kind of work? One very clear reason is that helping to promote this peace and stability in another country is in itself helping to promote this across the globe and this in turn benefits us all."