More than 20 CSOs issued a statement on December 10, calling for a transparency in selecting new members of Myanmar National Human Right Commission and immediate reshuffle.

The commission’s candidate member scrutinizing board has sent the list of 30 candidates to the President. But there is a lack of transparency in selection tasks and no enough discussions with the CSOs, according to the statement by the 22-member working team for reforming the Human Rights Commission.

U Aung Myo Min, Executive Director of Equality Myanmar, which is a member of  22-member team, said: “It had better make amendments to weak points in the law at such a time when the expired commission is reinforced. Our statement aims to point out the fact that the commission needs to change its members as well as its policy.”

According to the commission law, the scrutinizing team comprising the Union Chief Justice, the Home Affairs Minister, the Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, the Union Attorney-General, has to choose 30 candidates and send that list to the President. The President can appoint seven to 15 members including the chair and vice-chair, after consultation with the speakers of the Upper House and Lower House.

The public’s chance of participation in the process makes the member selection task more transparent and encourages the inclusion of people from all strata in the commission. It is an urgent need, the statement says.

The public’s trust in the commission is low due to their former jobs and backgrounds of some commission members. Trust between the commission and CSOs is also low.  The commission’s substitution with the new members who have expertise, experience and willingness to work for human rights, is a good chance.