An alliance of civil society groups called for the abolition of constitutional privileges granted to the armed forces in a statement it issued after a protest march and rally in Yangon on July 27.
The statement also said the 2008 Constitution reflected neither the will or aspirations of the people nor the essence of democracy because it was drafted unilaterally during the previous military regime.
It called on the government and parliament to amend the constitution and to remove all constitutional barriers to Myanmar becoming a fully-fledged democracy.
The statement was issued by the Democratic Activist Network, an alliance of about 30 groups, after an estimated 300 people braved torrential downpours to march from Myaynigone Park in Sanchaung Township to the Bo Sein Mman Playground in Bahan Township, a distance of about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometres).
During the march the protesters chanted slogans demanding that special privileges granted to the Tatmadaw in the 2008 Constitution must be scrapped.
Among the speakers at a rally held after the protesters reached the playground was Daw Susanna Hla Hla Soe from the Karen Womens' Empowerment Group, who said the people could not accept the constitution because "it was drafted by a group of people to serve their own interests and retain power."
Other speakers included Ko Tun Tun Kyaw of the Kyimyindaing Civil Development Network, U Htin Linn Oo of the National League for Democracy, Ko Min Zeyar of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group, writer Mae Ngwe Ou and Salai Isaac Khin of Aye Chan-Myanmar.
The constitution provides for unelected members of the armed forces to comprise 25 percent of the seats in the nation's parliaments and gives those in the Union hluttaw an effective veto over amendments to the constitution because they require the support of more than 75 percent of MPs.
