The Peaceful Assembly Bill, signed by President Thein Sein, eliminates a clause allowing the authorities to reject permission so long as they remain peaceful. It also reduces the maximum penalty for those charged with causing unrest to one year in prison.Section 18 of the original law has been used numerous times by the government to lock up peaceful protestors and stifle dissent. The amended version states that protestors still have to seek permission but the authorities have to approve it. That means protestors are still guilty if they fail to seek permission.