‘I believe we will achieve genuine peace after we can amend this current Constitution,’ said a member of the organizing committee.

A demonstration planned for Wednesday afternoon in Hpakant, Kachin State will voice public support for changing Burma’s current military-drafted 2008 Constitution.

According to members of the Support for Constitutional Amendment Organizing Committee, the protest will be held on the Kyauk-tai public grounds in Hpakant’s Maw Wan ward from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

“Our people want peace. I believe we will achieve genuine peace after we can amend this current Constitution,” U Thein Tan, chairman of the organizing committee, told KNG.

The Constitution has been labeled undemocratic, and criticized for entrenching the military in politics in Burma.

“This current Constitution was drawn up by the Tatmadaw. They have also taken 25 percent of seats in Parliament,” a Hpakant resident who plans to participate in the demonstration told KNG. “It doesn’t fit with the current democratic government. This Constitution must be amended.”

Another local said that it is his hope that the Burma Army will participate in the process of constitutional amendment, describing this as “the best way.”

Hpakant-based civil society organizations are expected to lead Wednesday’s demonstration.