A/HRC/19/67 of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of national sovereignty), the Constitution and the Official Secrets Act, among others. 43. The Special Rapporteur was informed of two categories of censorship for newspapers, magazines and journals. Those covering, inter alia, sports, health, arts, children’s literature, technology and business did not need to submit articles to the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division for approval prior to publication; copies were only required to be submitted after publication. Those covering news, religion, education and public affairs, however, still require prior approval before publication. 44. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that a new media law was being drafted covering the rights and responsibilities of media professionals, guidelines on publications, the establishment of a new committee for press freedom and press ethics, the registration of printers and publishers and legal penalties, among other issues. The new draft press and publications law would reportedly abolish censorship and reorient the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division into a regulatory body that could accept complaints from the public. The draft law was discussed with journalists and other media professionals in a recent workshop organized by the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association and the Asia Media Information and Communication Centre. The Government is also consulting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and a ministerial-level workshop is planned for March 2011. Although the Special Rapporteur was not provided with a copy of the draft law, he received information that certain provisions may continue to restrict press freedoms, including the requirement that news publications submit articles for review post-publication. He also noted concerns expressed by some interlocutors that violation of the new law would carry a high penalty, thus resulting in self-censorship by media professionals. 45. On 4 November 2011, the President formally approved amendments to the Political Party Registration Law, entailing the substitution of the clause requiring a commitment to “preserve” the Constitution with one requiring “respect”; the deletion of a clause prohibiting individuals convicted by a court of law from membership in a political party; and the inclusion of a clause allowing a political party to gain recognition by contesting at least three constituencies. Consequently, a number of political parties have re-registered, including the NLD and some ethnic parties. Some parties, such as the NLD, have decided to contest the by-elections for some 48 parliamentary seats. In January 2012, it was announced that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would stand for election for a parliamentary seat. D. Economic, social and cultural rights 46. In his inaugural speeches, the President made commitments in the area of economic, social and cultural rights, while his 10-point reform agenda includes the safeguarding of farmers’ and labour rights, the creation of jobs, the overhauling of public health care and social security, raising education and health standards and the promotion of environmental conservation. 47. In addition to the above-mentioned commitments, the Special Rapporteur notes the adoption of the National Rural Development and Poverty Reduction Plan (2011 – 2015), which is intended to reduce the poverty rate from 26 to 16 per cent by 2015, and various economic reforms designed to lay the foundations for a market economy, promote growth and encourage foreign investment. 48. The Special Rapporteur noted previously that the failure to address systematic discrimination and inequities in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights would undermine efforts to build a better future for the people of Myanmar. During his mission, many interlocutors underscored the extent of deprivation of these rights 11