Legal Implications of the Myanmar Coup One Year On

MYANMAR STUDIES PROGRAMME SEMINAR

About the Seminar

The 1 February 2021 military coup in Myanmar has had a broad range of legal implications, touching not only on the rule of law in the country but also affecting people’s everyday lives, the operation of domestic and foreign business, and international relations.

The declaration of the state of emergency, with the military subsequently taking over as the caretaker government, has resulted in the introduction of several pieces of new legislation and amendment of some of the existing legislation. In addition, targeted economic sanctions by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the declaration of the state of emergency have heightened the reputational risk and operational concerns for businesses operating in Myanmar.

The “battle” over, and differing international interpretations on, who represents Myanmar internationally and regionally has added to this discussion. Rejecting the military-drafted 2008 constitution, the resistance movement has embarked on alternative constitution-making to realise federal aspirations. Myanmar in 2022 faces an extended period of political instability and uncertainty, which has engendered much concerns not only for the people but also for the trade and investment climate.

Professor Andrew Harding and Ms Khine Khine Zin will discuss and evaluate the legal implications of the Myanmar coup, with an eye on what the rule of law means in Myanmar, for people, for businesses, and for external engagements. This conversation will be a hybrid in-person/webinar event.

About the Speakers

Professor Andrew Harding is a leading scholar in the fields of Asian legal studies and comparative constitutional law. He has held the positions of Director of the Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS), Director of the Asian Law Institute, and Chief Editor of the Asian Journal of Comparative Law, at the National University of Singapore. Currently he is Visiting Research Professor at CALS. He has worked extensively on constitutional law in Southeast Asia, contributing to scholarship in comparative law, and law and development. He is co-founding-editor of the book series ‘Constitutional Systems of the World’ (Hart Publishing), and has authored the books on Malaysia and Thailand in that series (2011, 2012). In 2017 he published an edited volume, Constitutionalism and Legal Change in Myanmar, the first book on constitutionalism in Myanmar since the 1960s.

Ms Khine Khine Zin is an Associate at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP. She is a corporate commercial lawyer who has assisted clients on a wide range of projects, including advising multi-nationals on applications to the Myanmar Investment Commission, market entry and labour law. Khine has been closely involved in both the Myanmar Practice and the Integrated Regulatory Practice of Rajah & Tann. She has assisted with preparation and review of a wide range of commercial contracts for clients in both public and private sectors, including investment agreements, shareholders’ agreements, procurement contracts, supply contracts, business transfer agreements and employment contracts. She has also regularly assisted with structuring and completing corporate transactions for international clients, Asian start-ups and Myanmar conglomerates.

Registration

This is a hybrid event that will be held at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS).

Attending the Event In-person at ISEAS

To join the event in-person at ISEAS, please register via the ISEAS mobile app, available on iOS and Android via the Apple or Play store. Search “ISEAS” to find or scan this QR code.

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Seating capacity is limited. Do register early to avoid disappointment.

[Please note that vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) for entry into ISEAS was implemented with effect from 1 Feb 2022. Only fully vaccinated, recovered, or medically ineligible individuals are allowed to attend this event in-person at ISEAS once they present verification of their status.]

Attending the Event Virtually via Webinar

To join the event virtually at the specified date and time using your internet devices, please register here to receive your unique login link for the webinar via the zoom platform.

If you have questions for the speakers, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

Date

Mar 22 2022
Expired!

Time

GMT+8
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm

Location

ISEAS Seminar Room 2 / Webinar