It's vital to amend Myanmar's citizenship laws: UK minister

The United Kingdom has sought an amendment to Myanmar's citizenship laws to allow everyone to fully participate in the nation's political process.

"It's now vital to amend the citizenship laws to ensure that everyone can participate fully in Myanmar's political process," UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister for Asia Nigel Adams said in a statement.

He urged the authorities in Myanmar to make sure free and fair elections are held at the earliest opportunity in those areas where elections were cancelled.

"We also condemn the kidnapping of parliamentary candidates by the Arakan Army and call for their immediate release," Adams said.

He said the 2020 elections are a "significant milestone" on Myanmar's path from military dictatorship to democracy.

"However, we were disappointed to see Rohingya and other minorities were once again disenfranchised," Adams said in the statement adding that elections were cancelled in areas of conflict without a clear rationale or transparency.