Myanmar's 2 Houses begin eighth sessions in Nay Pyi Taw

The 8th regular sessions of the two Houses of Myanmar's parliament -- House of Representatives (Lower) and House of Nationalities (Upper), began respectively in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, one month after the end of their 7th sessions. In his opening address at the Lower House session, Speaker of the House U Shwe Mann called for strengthening voices for democracy in accordance with the motto of 2013 International Day of Democracy, sources with the parliament said. The session made recommendations on foreign trips made by some MPs during the one-month adjournment period before the present session resumed. The Lower House session was followed by that of the Union Parliament comprising both Houses which passed the Myanmar National Human Rights Bill. The last 7th regular session lasted from June 25 to Aug. 31.