Bangladesh, Burma and the Rohingya crisis 17 32. With the legislature not questioning government actions, or challenging Ministers in debate, the result is very little reporting in the media of its work. This is likely to reduce public interest in proceedings and hamper the development of a body of engaged active citizens. Another constraint may come in the form of legislation restricting international NGOs from certain lobbying activities.44 In addition, the NLD government has proposed bills and amendments in parliament restricting free speech suggesting a growing hostility towards to civil society. A recent CNN report concluded: there are questions over the National League for Democracy’s commitment to reform. Suu Kyi’s party has a parliamentary majority, which gives it the power to remove repressive legislation. Instead, it has failed to carry out any discernible human rights reforms, and oppressive laws continue to be in force giving the government powers to detain and charge its critics.45 33. A recent report in Frontier Myanmar noted how some of the most important discussions in the parliaments occur during committee meetings but they cannot be reported. It concluded: In Myanmar, transparency in governance is lacking and one reason is the restrictions on public and media access to parliaments. MPs, parliamentary speakers and government officials need to start practising proactive disclosure to provide the transparency essential to build a successful democracy.46 Hkanhpa Tu Sadan, Trustee, The Kachin Relief Fund UK said: There is a great deal of talking in the parliament and a lot of debates going on, but there is nothing in action we have seen. They argue about a full stop or a comma, but nothing on the ground. That is the worrying part of the parliamentary work in Burma.47 The Peace Process Conditions for participation 34. This year will mark the seventh year of the peace process aimed at bringing to the negotiating table Burma’s many armed ethnic (and regional) groups, struggling in what has been described as the longest civil war in the world. Only around half of these groups have signed a ceasefire agreement and, of those, most had little or no military capacity or were already allied to the Burmese military. The largest armed groups have not yet signed ceasefires and there appears no foreseeable prospect of them doing so. This is because of the military’s six conditions for the peace process: 44 45 46 47 • to have a keen desire to reach eternal peace, • to keep promises agreed to in peace deals; Civic Freedom Monitor: Myanmar (Burma), January 2018 Aung San Suu Kyi is neglecting her moral responsibility, CNN September 2017 ‘It’s time to open the Hlutttaws’ Frontier Myanmar, December 2017 Q170