Myanmar has multiple formal and informal justice systems and actors, often with overlapping claims to legitimacy. While the government of Myanmar has a formal justice system, some ethnic armed organisations have created their own formal justice systems with laws, police, courts and prison systems. In addition, there are other local, traditional, or informal actors who provide justice to most people. Recent research confirms that a large majority of people in Myanmar do not use the formal system to address their grievances or disputes. The Myanmar Justice Survey 2017, for example, highlights ‘a strong preference for using local actors’.
Although a rich and nuanced picture is emerging of justice actors, preferences and practice, contextualised across different parts of Myanmar, the existing research is still spread across different studies and reports by different organisations. Those who are new to the Myanmar context and sometimes even those working in Myanmar do not find it easy to get a comprehensive picture or a broad overview of the plurality of justice systems across the country. It is also difficult to form a clear picture of the existing gaps in research and knowledge about the plural justice systems.
Furthermore, there is little evidence whether there are any interactions and linkages (in terms of oversight, review, referrals and/or appeals) between the different kinds of plural justice systems. Notably, the Union Coordination Body for Rule of Law Centres and Justice Sector Affairs’ (UCB) Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 includes as its strategic objective 2.3 “Informal and formal justice systems link more effectively”. The UCB Strategic Plan also specifically provides for commissioning research “to better understand the informal justice system and to explore possible linkages to the formal system” under its activity 2.3.1.
It is in this context that British Council and MyJustice calls for proposal in response to its RFP to conduct a desk review - leading to two separate studies and policy briefs (as explained in the RFP deliverables) – to map the existing studies on plural systems and explore how the different plural justice systems in Myanmar could potentially link in the future (capturing challenges, risks and recommendations going ahead).
Interested applicants should review the Request for Proposal:
All applications/proposals must be made using the templates provided in Annex 2 and 3. Applicants are provided with two templates to complete:
In addition, applicants are encouraged to read the terms and conditions of the contract in Annex 1.
Please note that the proposals must be submitted electronically to: Bawk.Nan@britishcoucil.org with cc to myjustice@mm.britishcouncil.org by 2300hrs Yangon time on 24 August 2020. You may seek clarifications on the RFP by 17 August 2020 by 2300hrs Yangon time on the same email ids above.