Aung San Suu Kyi met Myanmar's influential parliamentary speaker Thursday for key talks as the country moves from decades of military rule toward democracy after landmark polls this month.
Uncertainty surrounds the handover of power in the Southeast Asian nation, after Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy swept to victory in the November 8 polls, the fairest elections in 25 years.
She held a closed-door meeting in the capital Naypyidaw with Shwe Mann, a former general with whom she has an amicable working relationship.
The pair agreed to a number of shared goals that were later released in a statement by the NLD, including national reconciliation, peace and the smooth running of parliament during the country's political transition.
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November 22, 2015
Transition In Myanmar: What's Next?
A Situation Briefing teleconference on the recent elections in Myanmar, and the historic victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party, the National League for Democracy, against the pro-military establishment.
After a half century of military control, Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement swept Myanmar’s first competitive poll in 25 years. In his concession speech, President Thein Sein vowed to “respect the will of the people” and a “smooth transfer of power." Although Suu Kyi is considered the de-facto leader of Myanmar, she is legally barred from the presidency due to a clause ratified by the military establishment, which still holds considerable government control. There are rising concerns that comprehensive political change will be marred by deadlock and reversion to pro-military policies. In 1990, the military annulled Suu Kyi’s electoral victory and placed her under house arrest. The future of her political authority is far from certain.
What will Aung San Suu Kyi do to ensure an orderly transition of power? What are the possibilities of a relapse to a top-down, pro-military government? How will U.S.-Myanmar relations change following the election?
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After a half century of military control, Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement swept Myanmar’s first competitive poll in 25 years. In his concession speech, President Thein Sein vowed to “respect the will of the people” and a “smooth transfer of power." Although Suu Kyi is considered the de-facto leader of Myanmar, she is legally barred from the presidency due to a clause ratified by the military establishment, which still holds considerable government control. There are rising concerns that comprehensive political change will be marred by deadlock and reversion to pro-military policies. In 1990, the military annulled Suu Kyi’s electoral victory and placed her under house arrest. The future of her political authority is far from certain.
What will Aung San Suu Kyi do to ensure an orderly transition of power? What are the possibilities of a relapse to a top-down, pro-military government? How will U.S.-Myanmar relations change following the election?
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'I can't be Mad at Allah' wins accolades, awards for documenting Delhi's Rohingya refugees
New Delhi: For a number of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Burma, India has been as a preferred place to start a new life. But while this country might be more peaceful than Burma, life in Delhi's refugee camp is an ordeal nevertheless; and the constant fight to sustain themselves, a hard reality.
Moved by the plight of the refugees living in Delhi, four students of the MA Convergent Journalism programme of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI): Muhammad Faisal K, Naureen Khan, Vatsala Singh and Shabeela Rashid, have made a documentary titled ‘I can't be Mad at Allah’ which narrates the ordeal of Rohingyas in Burma followed by the conditions at the refugee camps in Delhi.
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Moved by the plight of the refugees living in Delhi, four students of the MA Convergent Journalism programme of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI): Muhammad Faisal K, Naureen Khan, Vatsala Singh and Shabeela Rashid, have made a documentary titled ‘I can't be Mad at Allah’ which narrates the ordeal of Rohingyas in Burma followed by the conditions at the refugee camps in Delhi.
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Obama visits refugees in Malaysia to highlight global crisis
U.S. President Barack Obama visited a refugee centre in Malaysia on Saturday to highlight his call for more compassion at home to deal with a global migrant crisis, as Republicans seek to block U.S. acceptance of Syrian refugees.
Speaking of the children he met at the Dignity for Children Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, Obama said "that's the face of not only children from Myanmar, that's the face of Syrian children and Iraqi children".
Many of the children at the centre were Muslim Rohingyas who have fled persecution in Myanmar.
Alluding to Republican critics who are trying to halt the flow of Syrian refugees to the United States, Obama said: “The notion that somehow we would be fearful of them, that our politics would somehow leave us to turn our sights away from their plight is not representative of the best of who we are.”
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Speaking of the children he met at the Dignity for Children Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, Obama said "that's the face of not only children from Myanmar, that's the face of Syrian children and Iraqi children".
Many of the children at the centre were Muslim Rohingyas who have fled persecution in Myanmar.
Alluding to Republican critics who are trying to halt the flow of Syrian refugees to the United States, Obama said: “The notion that somehow we would be fearful of them, that our politics would somehow leave us to turn our sights away from their plight is not representative of the best of who we are.”
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‘In Canada, it’s freedom for us’
They had been adrift at sea for more than a month and the food and water had long ago run out.
The hunger was unrelenting. The 129 men, all young Rohingya fleeing state repression in Myanmar, were at the limit of their endurance. They lay listlessly in the open boat as the sun sapped their will. Some drank seawater, some chewed shards of wood from the deck to remind themselves what it was like to feel food in their mouths.
At night, Mohammed Rafiq, a shopkeeper from rural Myanmar, rarely slept. He sat in the moonlit darkness and waited for the sound of a splash, the signal that yet another of his companions had thrown themselves upon the mercy of the sea.
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The hunger was unrelenting. The 129 men, all young Rohingya fleeing state repression in Myanmar, were at the limit of their endurance. They lay listlessly in the open boat as the sun sapped their will. Some drank seawater, some chewed shards of wood from the deck to remind themselves what it was like to feel food in their mouths.
At night, Mohammed Rafiq, a shopkeeper from rural Myanmar, rarely slept. He sat in the moonlit darkness and waited for the sound of a splash, the signal that yet another of his companions had thrown themselves upon the mercy of the sea.
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Rohingyas' uncertain fate post-polls
This column has frequently spoken of the drama of the people of Myanmar. It has many times described how, in the wake of the clashes in 2012, Rohingya Muslims were exposed to genocide, abandoned on the high seas while trying to escape the country in rickety boats, had their Myanmar citizenship taken away and were deprived of their human rights.
Those aware of the drama of the Rohingya Muslims will realise what the general election in Myanmar last week will mean to these people.
Myanmar has recently emerged from a junta regime lasting some 50 years. Although elections in 2010 in theory put an end to the military regime in question, the presence of a junta that backed the ruling party could still always be felt. Last week’s elections, however, resulted in a major success for the National League for Democracy (NLD), under opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. However, that success does not mean that the country is now fully democratic.
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Those aware of the drama of the Rohingya Muslims will realise what the general election in Myanmar last week will mean to these people.
Myanmar has recently emerged from a junta regime lasting some 50 years. Although elections in 2010 in theory put an end to the military regime in question, the presence of a junta that backed the ruling party could still always be felt. Last week’s elections, however, resulted in a major success for the National League for Democracy (NLD), under opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. However, that success does not mean that the country is now fully democratic.
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There's An Asian Refugee Crisis, Too, And Obama Plans To Spotlight It
As Europe grapples with its refugee crisis, another one has been unfolding in Southeast Asia. That's where members of a stateless minority called the Rohingya have been taking dangerous journeys by sea in pursuit of a better life. As President Barack Obama swings through Malaysia this weekend, he's putting a spotlight on them.
"I have no passport, I have no citizenship," 28-year old Mohammed Rayas tells us, when we meet him in a rundown office in Kuala Lumpur. He's an ethnic Rohingya, born in Myanmar. Even though Myanmar is home for generations of his family and his people, Rayas isn't afforded basic rights.
Habibullah, a longtime Aung Mingalar resident who goes by one name, holds his 4-year-old son Mohammed Harris at his home. He says his son, lacking adequate nutrition and running a fever for four weeks, has become too weak to walk.
The majority Buddhist government denies the one million Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar rights to citizenship, education, work and marriage. Many Rohingya are sent to squalid, crowded internment camps where food is scarce and disease is common — but Rohingya are often turned away from hospitals, too.
"I have no passport, I have no citizenship," 28-year old Mohammed Rayas tells us, when we meet him in a rundown office in Kuala Lumpur. He's an ethnic Rohingya, born in Myanmar. Even though Myanmar is home for generations of his family and his people, Rayas isn't afforded basic rights.
Habibullah, a longtime Aung Mingalar resident who goes by one name, holds his 4-year-old son Mohammed Harris at his home. He says his son, lacking adequate nutrition and running a fever for four weeks, has become too weak to walk.
The majority Buddhist government denies the one million Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar rights to citizenship, education, work and marriage. Many Rohingya are sent to squalid, crowded internment camps where food is scarce and disease is common — but Rohingya are often turned away from hospitals, too.
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The Latest: US, SE Asian Nations Press South China Sea Issue
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Ten Southeast Asian heads of state and nine world leaders, including President Barack Obama, are meeting in Malaysia to discuss trade and economic issues. Terrorism and disputes over the South China Sea are also on the agenda. (All times local.)
9:30 p.m.
The United States and Southeast Asian nations have pressed their call for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed South China Sea, in a veiled rebuke to China.
China has come under heavy criticism for recently transforming disputed reefs into islands in aggressive actions that have set off alarms in the region.
Following an annual regional summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, the U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also pressed for the peaceful resolution of the territorial conflicts "without resorting to the threat or use of force."
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9:30 p.m.
The United States and Southeast Asian nations have pressed their call for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed South China Sea, in a veiled rebuke to China.
China has come under heavy criticism for recently transforming disputed reefs into islands in aggressive actions that have set off alarms in the region.
Following an annual regional summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, the U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also pressed for the peaceful resolution of the territorial conflicts "without resorting to the threat or use of force."
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Citizen of nowhere: Rohingya man tells harrowing tale of fleeing with his family in tow
The Rohingya Muslim from the Rakhine province in Myanmar was forced to flee his home three years ago when ethnic violence broke out. Now he and his family are stateless, without papers or passports, they have become citizens of nowhere.
Recounting the harrowing journey from Myanmar to India via Bangladesh at the Women in the World Summit in New Delhi on Friday, Nizamuddin said he was desperately worried about the future of his three daughters: “Where is their place in the world? They ask, I have no answer.”
Nizamuddin says his only hope is that the newly-elected leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, will offer support and advocate for their return.
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Recounting the harrowing journey from Myanmar to India via Bangladesh at the Women in the World Summit in New Delhi on Friday, Nizamuddin said he was desperately worried about the future of his three daughters: “Where is their place in the world? They ask, I have no answer.”
Nizamuddin says his only hope is that the newly-elected leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, will offer support and advocate for their return.
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Despite “Democratic” Election Hype, Life For Burmese Muslims Likely To Get Worse
On November 8th, many Burmese suffered long lines at polling booths across the nation to vote in elections that are being heralded by world media as “historic,” “fair” and “democratic.” Political leaders have been doing the same: President Barack Obama called them “free and fair,” PM David Cameron described them as a “landmark…step toward democracy,” adding that it was a “triumph for the Burmese people.”
The impulse to celebrate “elections” just because they happen or to revel in the vagueries of “change” as indicative of “democracy” is unfortunately too common in the modern mediascape. Reporting and analysis has followed the government line, rendering it compromised and superficial.
This is true in regards to the recent craze over elections in Burma. How else can we explain the extraordinary disconnect between praise for an election flawed from the beginning and the omission of crucial details regarding the human rights disaster that is Burma?
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The impulse to celebrate “elections” just because they happen or to revel in the vagueries of “change” as indicative of “democracy” is unfortunately too common in the modern mediascape. Reporting and analysis has followed the government line, rendering it compromised and superficial.
This is true in regards to the recent craze over elections in Burma. How else can we explain the extraordinary disconnect between praise for an election flawed from the beginning and the omission of crucial details regarding the human rights disaster that is Burma?
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US President Obama draws attention to Rohingya refugees in Malaysia
US President Barack Obama called attention to to the plight of lesser-known refugees Saturday during a visit to a non-governmental educational centre in Malaysia, noting that accepting refugees is not inimical to national security.
Obama met with several refugees from Myanmar, Sudan and Somalia at the Dignity for Children Foundation on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
"The world is rightly focused on the humanitarian tragedy taking place in Syria, but we can't forget that there are millions of other refugees from war-torn parts of the world," he said.
"In fact, 60 million people are displaced all around the world."
Obama downplayed fears that refugees could pose security problems for the host countries following the Paris terrorist attacks last week.
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Obama met with several refugees from Myanmar, Sudan and Somalia at the Dignity for Children Foundation on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
"The world is rightly focused on the humanitarian tragedy taking place in Syria, but we can't forget that there are millions of other refugees from war-torn parts of the world," he said.
"In fact, 60 million people are displaced all around the world."
Obama downplayed fears that refugees could pose security problems for the host countries following the Paris terrorist attacks last week.
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Final Vote Tally Confirms Rout by Myanmar Opposition
BANGKOK — Myanmar’s election commission on Friday announced the final tally of the country’s Nov. 8 landmark election, a rout by the opposition, led by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Her party, the National League for Democracy, won 390 seats compared with 42 for the governing party, a state-run television station reported in its Friday evening broadcast. The remaining 59 available seats in Parliament were won by smaller parties. One-quarter of the seats were not contested and are controlled by the military.
The victory gives Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party a large majority in Parliament and the right to select a new president early next year.
Both the president and the head of the military have congratulated Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi on her party’s performance. But they have also given mixed signals about the timing of the transfer of power, which, according to the Constitution, must be carried out by March. The governing Union Solidarity and Development Party has said it will follow up on complaints of irregularities, a process that could take months.
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Her party, the National League for Democracy, won 390 seats compared with 42 for the governing party, a state-run television station reported in its Friday evening broadcast. The remaining 59 available seats in Parliament were won by smaller parties. One-quarter of the seats were not contested and are controlled by the military.
The victory gives Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party a large majority in Parliament and the right to select a new president early next year.
Both the president and the head of the military have congratulated Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi on her party’s performance. But they have also given mixed signals about the timing of the transfer of power, which, according to the Constitution, must be carried out by March. The governing Union Solidarity and Development Party has said it will follow up on complaints of irregularities, a process that could take months.
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Some stories you might have missed
BUDDHIST-MUSLIM ANTAGONISM: From the standpoint of the West, religious strife usually involves Christians, Muslims and Jews. But sectarianism can rear its ugly, suspicious head anywhere.
#When national elections were held in Myanmar earlier this month the opposition party led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi, won a decisive, overwhelming victory. Now as her National League for Democracy bears the fruits of victory they face long-festering religious animosity between the overwhelmingly Buddhist majority and a weak, impoverished and disenfranchised Muslim minority.
#Though Myanmar is 90 percent Buddhist a very conservative group of Buddhist monks, the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, has successfully pushed Myanmar to restrict conversions to other faiths and to make illegal interfaith marriage. The targets of these harsh laws are the powerless Rohingya people, even forbidden to vote in Myanmar. Suu Kyi will be called upon to denounce this hate-filled movement and to take steps to begin to include the victimized, isolated Rohingya into a newly democratized nation.
For more information - Click here.
#When national elections were held in Myanmar earlier this month the opposition party led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi, won a decisive, overwhelming victory. Now as her National League for Democracy bears the fruits of victory they face long-festering religious animosity between the overwhelmingly Buddhist majority and a weak, impoverished and disenfranchised Muslim minority.
#Though Myanmar is 90 percent Buddhist a very conservative group of Buddhist monks, the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, has successfully pushed Myanmar to restrict conversions to other faiths and to make illegal interfaith marriage. The targets of these harsh laws are the powerless Rohingya people, even forbidden to vote in Myanmar. Suu Kyi will be called upon to denounce this hate-filled movement and to take steps to begin to include the victimized, isolated Rohingya into a newly democratized nation.
For more information - Click here.
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