Report of the International Bar Association?s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) Supported by the IBAHRI Trust and the Open Society Foundations.....Contents: Executive Summary... 1. Introduction: 1.1 The IBAHRI delegation and its mandate; 1.2 Interviews and consultations; 1.3 The rule of law: an overview... 2. Background and History: 2.1 Myanmar in facts and figures; 2.2 Myanmar before 1988; 2.3 Myanmar in the two decades after the 1988 coup; 2.4 The 2008 Constitution; 2.5 Myanmar since 2008... 3. The Civil Sphere: Social, Economic, Cultural, Civil and Political Rights: 3.1 Background; 3.2 Current legal structure; 3.3 Findings; Access to courts and the administration of justice; Freedom of expression, association and assembly; Ethnic conflicts; 3.4 Conclusion ... 4. The Political Sphere: the Branches of Government: 4.1 Background; 4.2 Current legal structure; 4.3 Findings; 4.4 Conclusion... 5. The Legislative Sphere: Parliament and the Reform Process: 5.1 Background; 5.2 The structure of the legislature; 5.3 Findings; The Bill Committee of the Lower House; The Complaints Committee of the Upper House; Other perspectives; 5.4 Conclusion... 6. The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission: 6.1 Background; 6.2 Current legal structure; 6.3 Findings; 6.4 Conclusion... 7. The Military Sphere: the Role of the Army: 7.1 Background; 7.2 Current legal structure; 7.3 Findings; 7.4 Conclusion... 8. The Judicial Sphere (I): Courts and Judges: 8.1 Background; 8.2 Current legal structure; 8.3 Findings; 8.4 Conclusion... 9. The Judicial Sphere (II): the Legal Profession: 9.1 Background; 9.2 Current legal structure; 9.3 Findings; Former and current lawyers; The Attorney General and Justice Soe Nyunt; 9.4 Conclusion... 10. Conclusions and Recommendations... Annexes: A. General Assembly Resolution 66/102 on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels... B. The Peaceful Demonstration and Gathering Act 2012... C. Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles)... D. UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary ... E. UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers... F. IBA Standards for the Independence of the Legal Profession... G. UN Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors... H. International Association of Prosecutors? Standards of Professional Responsibility and Statement of the Essential Duties and Rights of Prosecutors... I. The Venice Commission Report?s Checklist for Evaluating the Rule of Law in Single States... List of Acronyms