Myanmar’s military commander-in-chief has vowed that the country’s powerful military will cooperate with government negotiators and armed ethnic organizations to ensure the success of Aung San Suu Kyi’s 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in August.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made the comment during a meeting Wednesday in the capital Naypyidaw with the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST)—leaders from the eight armed ethnic groups that signed a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) with the government last October—said Arakan Liberation Party leader Saw Mra Razar Lin, who was among the attendees.
“The army has full responsibility with regard to the democracy process being in place and will fully cooperate and help,” Saw Mya Raza Lin told RFA’s Myanmar Service. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
June 30, 2016
Buddhist-Muslim Violence in South and South-East Asia: The Local Becomes Regional, or a Clash of Civilizations?
This month the UN released a report addressing “serious” human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar at the hands of the Buddhist majority, and the two-year anniversary of Sri Lanka’s deadly Aluthgama and Dharga Town riots, allegedly incited by Buddhist monks and targeting Muslim homes, property, and lives. Farther east, Thailand’s Deep South struggles into its twelfth year of violence, which has seen soldiers escort teachers to schools and monks on their alms rounds amidst clashes with Salafists and Malay Muslim nationalists, while less recently Muslim hardliners in Jakarta have bombed Buddhist temples and Myanmarese embassies. (Courtesy of intpolicydigest.org)
Myanmar gov’t urged to eradicate roots of repression
An international human rights advocacy group urged Myanmar’s civilian-led government and parliament Wednesday to repeal or amend draconian and colonial-era laws enacted by the former junta to suppress peaceful speech and assembly.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia Director Brad Adams praised the effort of Myanmar’s new government -- led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi -- to release hundreds of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest, and to drop charges against others, shortly after it took power in late March. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia Director Brad Adams praised the effort of Myanmar’s new government -- led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi -- to release hundreds of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest, and to drop charges against others, shortly after it took power in late March. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
State Counsellor’s Office criticised for narrow definition of ‘political prisoner’
The minister for the State Counsellor’s Office Minister said this week that only detainees who are prosecuted legally for their involvement in demonstrations will be recognised as political prisoners. Groups working to protect the rights of political prisoners have strongly condemned the minister’s statement.
Union Minister Kyaw Tint Swe said: “We are supporting the goodwill and the instruction of the State Counsellor in order to eliminate political prisoners under the democratic government. There may be many differences regarding [between definitions of] a political prisoner according to the data of unofficial organisations. We define it, according to the policy of the State Counsellor, as only those who faced legal prosecution in line with the law for taking part in demonstrations.
Groups representing political prisoners criticised the minister’s definitions, saying it implies that people who were imprisoned for political activities for violating other laws are not recognised as political prisoners. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Union Minister Kyaw Tint Swe said: “We are supporting the goodwill and the instruction of the State Counsellor in order to eliminate political prisoners under the democratic government. There may be many differences regarding [between definitions of] a political prisoner according to the data of unofficial organisations. We define it, according to the policy of the State Counsellor, as only those who faced legal prosecution in line with the law for taking part in demonstrations.
Groups representing political prisoners criticised the minister’s definitions, saying it implies that people who were imprisoned for political activities for violating other laws are not recognised as political prisoners. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Myanmar should dismantle laws blocking free speech: Human Rights Watch
Myanmar’s government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), should amend and abolish laws that threaten freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Wednesday.
Laws covering areas from telecommunications to defamation have been used to arrest at least 70 people this month, said the report’s author, Linda Lakhdhir.
The arrests come despite reforms by former President Thein Sein and the NLD, which won the November election in a landslide, giving it control of both houses of parliament and installing Suu Kyi as the country’s de facto leader. (Courtesy of srnnews.com)
Laws covering areas from telecommunications to defamation have been used to arrest at least 70 people this month, said the report’s author, Linda Lakhdhir.
The arrests come despite reforms by former President Thein Sein and the NLD, which won the November election in a landslide, giving it control of both houses of parliament and installing Suu Kyi as the country’s de facto leader. (Courtesy of srnnews.com)
More reform needed to protect activists, reporters: HRW
Myanmar’s new government needs to take bold action to dismantle a number of repressive laws during the next session of parliament, a new report from Human Rights Watch urged on Wednesday.
Despite a wide-ranging executive pardon that saw the release of scores of political prisoners in April and some preliminary legislative changes, the New York-based rights group said that a number of laws that remained on the books left the possibility of future prosecutions against activists and reporters.
“The new government, led by the National League for Democracy, has moved quickly to release many of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest and to drop charges against others,” said HRW director Brad Adams. “But it’s crucial that the legal infrastructure of repression be dismantled so that there is no chance Burma will ever hold political prisoners again.” (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Despite a wide-ranging executive pardon that saw the release of scores of political prisoners in April and some preliminary legislative changes, the New York-based rights group said that a number of laws that remained on the books left the possibility of future prosecutions against activists and reporters.
“The new government, led by the National League for Democracy, has moved quickly to release many of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest and to drop charges against others,” said HRW director Brad Adams. “But it’s crucial that the legal infrastructure of repression be dismantled so that there is no chance Burma will ever hold political prisoners again.” (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Yanghee Lee meets Union ministers
The new Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has granted four foreign investment proposals and four locals' since its reformation, according to Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) Wednesday.
The foreign investment proposals deal with manufacturing of footware and electric wire, publishing of news paper in foreign language, providing service of supply chain equipment.
The new 11-member Investment Commission, formed on June 8 with Minister for Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win as chairman. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
The foreign investment proposals deal with manufacturing of footware and electric wire, publishing of news paper in foreign language, providing service of supply chain equipment.
The new 11-member Investment Commission, formed on June 8 with Minister for Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win as chairman. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
Yanghee Lee meets Union ministers
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Ms Yanghee Lee, met several Union ministers separately in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
In the morning she called on Union Minister for the State Counsellor's Office Kyaw Tint Swe and Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win, separately.
Lee explained her duties to Minister Kyaw Tin Swe and discussed the situation in Rakhine State and the internal peace issue. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
In the morning she called on Union Minister for the State Counsellor's Office Kyaw Tint Swe and Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win, separately.
Lee explained her duties to Minister Kyaw Tin Swe and discussed the situation in Rakhine State and the internal peace issue. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Thai deputy PM arrives on visit to Myanmar
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan arrived Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday on a two-day visit to Myanmar, according to official sources.
Wongsuwan's trip came three days after Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi concluded her trip to Thailand.
During his stay in Myanmar, Wongsuwan is expected to meet with President U Htin Kyaw and Suu Kyi, who is also foreign minister.
Wongsuwan will also hold talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Service Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing and Defense Minister Lt-Gen Sein Win on military cooperation, reports said. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
Wongsuwan's trip came three days after Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi concluded her trip to Thailand.
During his stay in Myanmar, Wongsuwan is expected to meet with President U Htin Kyaw and Suu Kyi, who is also foreign minister.
Wongsuwan will also hold talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Service Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing and Defense Minister Lt-Gen Sein Win on military cooperation, reports said. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
Buddhist nationalist group threatens stability in Myanmar
An anti-Muslim Buddhist nationalist group in Myanmar is rapidly extending its influence, growing into a political force that could pose a serious challenge to the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The group, known as Ma Ba Tha, holds rallies that attract huge crowds, a sign that its message strongly appeals to many people in the country.
Ma Ba Tha is winning popular support by playing on people's fears about a sharp increase in the Muslim population. The group's growing clout may soon force Suu Kyi, who leads the government as state counselor, to start tackling touchy religious issues she has been carefully eschewing so far. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
The group, known as Ma Ba Tha, holds rallies that attract huge crowds, a sign that its message strongly appeals to many people in the country.
Ma Ba Tha is winning popular support by playing on people's fears about a sharp increase in the Muslim population. The group's growing clout may soon force Suu Kyi, who leads the government as state counselor, to start tackling touchy religious issues she has been carefully eschewing so far. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
Muslim holy month a time for inter-faith unity: Myanmar civil groups
Some civil organisations in Myanmar are making use of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to conduct more inter-religious activities to promote the understanding of Islam. This will hopefully help the various communities of different faiths in Myanmar to interact and learn more about each other’s beliefs.
In the last few years, Myanmar has seen cases of outbreaks of violence between some Buddhists and Muslims. Many such cases were sparked by rumours, misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about each other’s religion.
One Buddhist citizen who does not know much about Islam is 23-year-old Paing Aung. He has Muslim friends but has never stepped into a mosque. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
In the last few years, Myanmar has seen cases of outbreaks of violence between some Buddhists and Muslims. Many such cases were sparked by rumours, misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about each other’s religion.
One Buddhist citizen who does not know much about Islam is 23-year-old Paing Aung. He has Muslim friends but has never stepped into a mosque. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Dhaka for more economic ties with Myanmar
Dhaka wants economic issues to dominate Bangladesh and Myanmar relationship to remove misunderstanding and misperception.
“The bilateral trade figure is meager with not even $100 million where we have ample scope to do business,” a senior official of the foreign ministry said.
He said Dhaka would not discuss domestic political issue of other countries as it considers the subject as internal affairs of the country.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque went to Myanmar as a special envoy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the official said. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
“The bilateral trade figure is meager with not even $100 million where we have ample scope to do business,” a senior official of the foreign ministry said.
He said Dhaka would not discuss domestic political issue of other countries as it considers the subject as internal affairs of the country.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque went to Myanmar as a special envoy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the official said. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
US to downgrade Myanmar in annual human trafficking report
The United States has decided to place Myanmar on its global list of worst offenders in human trafficking, officials said, a move aimed at prodding the country’s new democratically elected government and its still-powerful military to do more to curb the use of child soldiers and forced labour.
The reprimand of Myanmar comes despite US efforts to court the strategically important country to help counteract China’s rise in the region and build a Southeast Asian bulwark against Beijing’s territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Myanmar’s demotion, part of the State Department’s closely watched annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report due to be released on Thursday, also appears intended to send a message of US concern about continued widespread persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in the Buddhist-majority nation. (Courtesy of dailytimes.com.pk)
The reprimand of Myanmar comes despite US efforts to court the strategically important country to help counteract China’s rise in the region and build a Southeast Asian bulwark against Beijing’s territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Myanmar’s demotion, part of the State Department’s closely watched annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report due to be released on Thursday, also appears intended to send a message of US concern about continued widespread persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in the Buddhist-majority nation. (Courtesy of dailytimes.com.pk)
June 29, 2016
Myanmar: Trafficking downgrade would be a mistake
Myanmar is pushing back against a report the U.S. will demote the country to the lowest level on Washington’s human trafficking index.
Placing Myanmar alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria -- among the worst offenders in human trafficking – would be a mistake according to a government official in Naypyitaw.
Later this week, the U.S. State Department is to release its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report and Myanmar could be dropped to the lowest Tier 3. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
Placing Myanmar alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria -- among the worst offenders in human trafficking – would be a mistake according to a government official in Naypyitaw.
Later this week, the U.S. State Department is to release its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report and Myanmar could be dropped to the lowest Tier 3. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
Suu Kyi calls for establishing federal union in Myanmar
Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday invited all nationalities residing in the country to establish a genuine federal union, saying it is the sole aim of the new government.
Meeting with a peace process leading group in Nay Pyi Taw, Suu Kyi expressed belief that if working for peace actively, the group would undoubtedly overcome the matter of worry, inviting all stake-holders to help establish the union with trust and respect, XInhua news agency reported.
"Myanmar can only develop when there is peace and it should explore a way of peace based on unity," she said, adding that "the country will prosper only when peace is achieved". (Courtesy of business-standard.com)
Meeting with a peace process leading group in Nay Pyi Taw, Suu Kyi expressed belief that if working for peace actively, the group would undoubtedly overcome the matter of worry, inviting all stake-holders to help establish the union with trust and respect, XInhua news agency reported.
"Myanmar can only develop when there is peace and it should explore a way of peace based on unity," she said, adding that "the country will prosper only when peace is achieved". (Courtesy of business-standard.com)
Nepalese-Myanmar drug ring busted
Three members of a transnational drug ring, two Myanmar nationals and a Nepalese man, have been arrested in a joint operation involving several agencies, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board announced.
Other agencies also involved in the operation, which targeted trafficking of drugs through Suvarnabhumi airport, were the Customs Department, the airport's anti-drugs police, and the Armed Forces Security Centre, the NCB statement said.
First, a Myanmar man identified only as Anil, 22, was arrested with 7.3 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine found hidden in a false compartment in his baggage on his arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport from Yangon on June 25. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Other agencies also involved in the operation, which targeted trafficking of drugs through Suvarnabhumi airport, were the Customs Department, the airport's anti-drugs police, and the Armed Forces Security Centre, the NCB statement said.
First, a Myanmar man identified only as Anil, 22, was arrested with 7.3 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine found hidden in a false compartment in his baggage on his arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport from Yangon on June 25. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Myanmar court lays new charges against Saffron Revolution leader
A Myanmar court laid additional charges against a former monk and leader of the 2007 "Saffron Revolution" anti-junta uprising on Tuesday, accusing him of trespass and "mischief" committed four years ago.
Nyi Nyi Lwin, better known as Gambira, was arrested in January for illegally entering Myanmar from neighboring Thailand.
The new charges relate to the reopening of monasteries that were sealed off after the monk-led protests. The alleged violations took place in 2012, after Gambira's release from prison where he had served time for his involvement in the demonstrations. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Nyi Nyi Lwin, better known as Gambira, was arrested in January for illegally entering Myanmar from neighboring Thailand.
The new charges relate to the reopening of monasteries that were sealed off after the monk-led protests. The alleged violations took place in 2012, after Gambira's release from prison where he had served time for his involvement in the demonstrations. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Citizenship verification continues in Rakhine State
Myanmar will continue carrying out the citizenship verification process in Rakhine State in accordance with the 1982 Citizenship Law, said Union Minister for the State Counsellor's Office Kyaw Thint Swe while explaining the government's 100-day plan.
The Rakhine State Peace, Stability and Development Implementation Central Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The committee is subdivided into four working committees.
"Members of those committees have paid visits to Rakhine State. We are also visiting the area to learn the real situation and to compile a priority list. Currently, we are prioritising the peace issue and the issuance of national identity cards. Meanwhile, we will continue the citizenship verification process in line with the Citizenship Law," said Kyaw Tint Swe. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The Rakhine State Peace, Stability and Development Implementation Central Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The committee is subdivided into four working committees.
"Members of those committees have paid visits to Rakhine State. We are also visiting the area to learn the real situation and to compile a priority list. Currently, we are prioritising the peace issue and the issuance of national identity cards. Meanwhile, we will continue the citizenship verification process in line with the Citizenship Law," said Kyaw Tint Swe. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Several Myanmar migrant workers dismissed after Suu Kyi’s visit
A total of 16 Myanmar migrant workers have submitted complaints to the Aid Alliance Committee for Myanmar Workers (AAC) as some Myanmar migrant workers who went to welcome State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were soon thereafter dismissed, according to the committee.
“The workers worked at a factory that produces canned fish, and they were dismissed from their jobs for travelling to meet Aung San Suu Kyi without permission from their factory. We are negotiating with the employers by cooperating with Thai authorities,” said Ye Min from the AAC on June 27. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
“The workers worked at a factory that produces canned fish, and they were dismissed from their jobs for travelling to meet Aung San Suu Kyi without permission from their factory. We are negotiating with the employers by cooperating with Thai authorities,” said Ye Min from the AAC on June 27. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Myanmar Takes a Tumble on Annual U.S. Human Trafficking Report
The United States has downgraded Myanmar in its annual human trafficking report, citing the Southeast Asian nation’s failure to reduce the practice of using child soldiers primarily by the government army, the head of Myanmar’s anti-human trafficking force said Tuesday.
“The U.S. pointed out some points that we police have been working on. It also pointed out the child soldier issue, which the military is working on,” said Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naung, national head of the police Anti-Human Trafficking Team.
The U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, to be released Thursday, ranks 188 countries on how they handle human trafficking and assigns them one of four rankings—Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List, and Tier 3—based on whether they meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, as mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). (Courtesy of rfa.org)
“The U.S. pointed out some points that we police have been working on. It also pointed out the child soldier issue, which the military is working on,” said Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naung, national head of the police Anti-Human Trafficking Team.
The U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, to be released Thursday, ranks 188 countries on how they handle human trafficking and assigns them one of four rankings—Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List, and Tier 3—based on whether they meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, as mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). (Courtesy of rfa.org)
Myanmar, Netherlands revise aviation treaty
Myanmar and the Netherlands have signed an aviation treaty that was revised on June 27 at the Department for Civil Aviation, sources say.
The agreement was signed by Kyaw Myo, deputy minister for transport and communications, and by the Dutch ambassador to Myanmar.
The aviation agreement between Myanmar and the Netherlands was originally signed in 1951 and was revised in 1977. This is the third time the agreement has been revised to accommodate current trends. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The agreement was signed by Kyaw Myo, deputy minister for transport and communications, and by the Dutch ambassador to Myanmar.
The aviation agreement between Myanmar and the Netherlands was originally signed in 1951 and was revised in 1977. This is the third time the agreement has been revised to accommodate current trends. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Aung San Suu Kyi meets ethnic armed organisations
Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday met with representatives from ethnic armed groups involved in peace talks to discuss how to move forward with national reconciliation.
Suu Kyi, who is also Myanmar's Foreign Minister has proposed a '21st century Panglong Conference' for late July with all ethnic militants - including at least four which have still not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) adopted in October 2015, EFE News reported.
The Panglong Agreement was first signed in 1947 between the Burmese government and Shan, Kachin and Chin minorities to grant "frontier areas" occupied by minorities autonomy under an arrangement with the federal government. (Courtesy of firstpost.com)
Suu Kyi, who is also Myanmar's Foreign Minister has proposed a '21st century Panglong Conference' for late July with all ethnic militants - including at least four which have still not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) adopted in October 2015, EFE News reported.
The Panglong Agreement was first signed in 1947 between the Burmese government and Shan, Kachin and Chin minorities to grant "frontier areas" occupied by minorities autonomy under an arrangement with the federal government. (Courtesy of firstpost.com)
The new Myanmar is starting to look too much like the old Myanmar
In the November 2015 election, Myanmar's long-standing opposition, the National League for Democracy (NLD), swept into office, promising change and new freedoms for the masses after a half-century of military rule. That the party is led by Aung San Suu Kyi, a widely revered Nobel Prize winner and long-time dissident, only added to expectations of dramatic change.
So far, though, things don't appear to be turning out that way. Upon taking power, the NLD promptly proposed legislation that would reinstall some of the junta's draconian restrictions on peaceful protest. And while many political prisoners have been released, the new government continues to pursue charges against some of the country's most dedicated activists - such as Harn Win Aung, who has led resistance to a notorious copper mine built on land grabbed from displaced farmers. The NLD even censored a film at a human rights festival for portraying the military in a critical light. (Courtesy of the-journal.com)
So far, though, things don't appear to be turning out that way. Upon taking power, the NLD promptly proposed legislation that would reinstall some of the junta's draconian restrictions on peaceful protest. And while many political prisoners have been released, the new government continues to pursue charges against some of the country's most dedicated activists - such as Harn Win Aung, who has led resistance to a notorious copper mine built on land grabbed from displaced farmers. The NLD even censored a film at a human rights festival for portraying the military in a critical light. (Courtesy of the-journal.com)
Refugees ask governments not to forcibly repatriate them
Refugees at Mae La, the largest Myanmar refugee camp in Thailand, have urged the Thai and Myanmar governments not to forcibly send refugees on the Thai side of the Thai-Myanmar border to Myanmar.
At a ceremony to mark World Refugee Day held at Mae La Refugee Camp on 20 June the camp’s chairman, Saw Honest, told KIC News that he does not want the Thai government to make any decisions about forcibly returning refugees to Myanmar and that they want the Thai Government to follow the previous agreement on refugees.
He said: “We don’t want the Thai government to forcibly send us, the refugees, back. We are making this request to both the Thai and Myanmar governments. We want to live like normal human beings without any wars and human rights violations, as we [previously] decided. We need peace and unity.” (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
At a ceremony to mark World Refugee Day held at Mae La Refugee Camp on 20 June the camp’s chairman, Saw Honest, told KIC News that he does not want the Thai government to make any decisions about forcibly returning refugees to Myanmar and that they want the Thai Government to follow the previous agreement on refugees.
He said: “We don’t want the Thai government to forcibly send us, the refugees, back. We are making this request to both the Thai and Myanmar governments. We want to live like normal human beings without any wars and human rights violations, as we [previously] decided. We need peace and unity.” (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
More Thai airline plans to fly Myanmar
One more Thai airline, the Thai Lion Air (TLA), is planning to fly between Bangkok and Yangon starting from July 22, Myanmar state media reported on Tuesday.
The low-cost airline is one of the subsidiaries of Indonesia's Lion Air group which registered in Thailand.
TLA will operate twice daily from Bangkok to Yangon, offering free 30 kg checked-in baggage and free 15 kg of sport equipment to every passenger, the state media quoted Captain Darsito Hendrosepputro, managing director of TLA, as saying. (Courtesy of news.xinhuanet.com)
The low-cost airline is one of the subsidiaries of Indonesia's Lion Air group which registered in Thailand.
TLA will operate twice daily from Bangkok to Yangon, offering free 30 kg checked-in baggage and free 15 kg of sport equipment to every passenger, the state media quoted Captain Darsito Hendrosepputro, managing director of TLA, as saying. (Courtesy of news.xinhuanet.com)
June 27, 2016
Nowhere People
They are the words of Monir, one of the 1 million Rohingya in Myanmar who has been denied nationality in the land his family has called home for generations.
He was speaking to photographer Greg Constantine, who has spent nine years documenting the "dramatic and traumatic" lives of some of the 10 million people relegated to stateless status around the globe, and is now exhibiting work from his book in Australia.
He says the plight of the Rohingya is the "most extreme" example of statelessness today, while the United Nations describes the Muslim minority as the most persecuted group in the world. (Courtesy of abc.net.au)
He was speaking to photographer Greg Constantine, who has spent nine years documenting the "dramatic and traumatic" lives of some of the 10 million people relegated to stateless status around the globe, and is now exhibiting work from his book in Australia.
He says the plight of the Rohingya is the "most extreme" example of statelessness today, while the United Nations describes the Muslim minority as the most persecuted group in the world. (Courtesy of abc.net.au)
Suu Kyi revives her father’s appeal for Thai-Myanmar ties
So said General Aung San on April 17, 1947 to a Thai delegation headed by Phraya Anuman Rajadhon in Rangoon (now Yangon). At the time, Burma and Siam - as both countries were called - did not have diplomatic relations. However, their religious delegates and scholars were in frequent contact.
Throughout her three-day trip to the Kingdom last week, Aung San Suu Kyi echoed her father's vision of Thai-Myanmar relations, pronounced nearly seven decades ago. During her stopover in Mahachai, a special lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral discussions at Government House as well as press briefings, she was at ease - smiling and talking about the current state of bilateral ties of a kind never before seen. A birthday cake for her, albeit five-days late, during a lunch hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought a surprised big smile. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
Throughout her three-day trip to the Kingdom last week, Aung San Suu Kyi echoed her father's vision of Thai-Myanmar relations, pronounced nearly seven decades ago. During her stopover in Mahachai, a special lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral discussions at Government House as well as press briefings, she was at ease - smiling and talking about the current state of bilateral ties of a kind never before seen. A birthday cake for her, albeit five-days late, during a lunch hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought a surprised big smile. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
MoU signed to expedite Kaladan project
To ease the burden on Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and to expedite the work on Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between IWAI and India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL).
The MoU was signed for implementation of three additional works, which are independent of the on-going works and are estimated to cost Rs 476 crore.
The project work include container handling facilities at Sittwe and Paletwa, operation and maintenance of the completed works and wrecks removed in Sittwe Port basin area, said official sources here. (Courtesy of assamtribune.com)
The MoU was signed for implementation of three additional works, which are independent of the on-going works and are estimated to cost Rs 476 crore.
The project work include container handling facilities at Sittwe and Paletwa, operation and maintenance of the completed works and wrecks removed in Sittwe Port basin area, said official sources here. (Courtesy of assamtribune.com)
Myanmar torches drugs worth nearly $60 million
Myanmar police on Sunday torched drugs with a street value of nearly $60 million as authorities struggle to tackle the scourge of poppy cultivation and shut down pill laboratories in lawless border zones.
The impoverished nation remains the world's second biggest producer of opium from which heroin is made, according to the United Nations. Decades of corrupt military rule and continuing civil wars with ethnic rebels are blamed for fuelling the drugs trade. (Courtesy of timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
The impoverished nation remains the world's second biggest producer of opium from which heroin is made, according to the United Nations. Decades of corrupt military rule and continuing civil wars with ethnic rebels are blamed for fuelling the drugs trade. (Courtesy of timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
OIC Calls on Authorities in Myanmar to Investigate Destruction of a Mosque
An unidentified mob partially destroyed a mosque on June 23 and other buildings in the mosque compound in Thuyethamain village, Bago Region near central Myanmar. According to reliable sources, the attack erupted after a dispute about a building under construction in the mosque compound. One Muslim man was injured during the attack, and is currently receiving treatment for head injuries in hospital. It was reported that the authorities have since taken control of the scene, however Muslim villagers fled in fear, and are afraid to return to their homes.
OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani urged the authorities in Myanmar to take stern action and to immediately investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice while ensuring that the victims receive necessary assistance. (Courtesy of oic-oci.org)
OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani urged the authorities in Myanmar to take stern action and to immediately investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice while ensuring that the victims receive necessary assistance. (Courtesy of oic-oci.org)
Northeast India’s International Borders will be Fenced
International borders of the northeastern states would either be fenced or sealed to check trans-border movement of militants and prevent infiltration and cross-border crimes, a top Union Home Ministry official said.
“Government has different approach depending upon the northeast India’s borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. We have concrete action plan for the management of the borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar,” Union Home Ministry’s Border Management Secretary Susheel Kumar told reporters. (Courtesy of northeasttoday.in)
“Government has different approach depending upon the northeast India’s borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. We have concrete action plan for the management of the borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar,” Union Home Ministry’s Border Management Secretary Susheel Kumar told reporters. (Courtesy of northeasttoday.in)
June 26, 2016
Thai PM orders transfer of Samut Sakhon governor after allegations of Rohingya trafficking
The governor of Samut Sakhon and 22 other officials including law enforcement officers of the province and elsewhere were abruptly transferred and they face investigation for alleged abuse of labour, ill-treatment of the Rohingya and human trafficking.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued the transfer order in his capacity as the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order. (Courtesy of news.asiaone.com)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued the transfer order in his capacity as the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order. (Courtesy of news.asiaone.com)
Amnesty calls for an investigation into the destruction of mosque buildings
The Myanmar authorities must undertake a prompt, independent, thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the violent destruction of buildings in a mosque compound on Thursday in Bago Region in central Myanmar, said Amnesty International in a statement on June 24.
“The authorities must take swift action to show that it is treating such incidents against Muslims and other religious minorities seriously. This incident must be immediately and independently investigated and those suspected of involvement must be brought to justice and victims receive effective remedies including reparations,” said Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty International’s Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.(Courtesy of mizzima.com)
“The authorities must take swift action to show that it is treating such incidents against Muslims and other religious minorities seriously. This incident must be immediately and independently investigated and those suspected of involvement must be brought to justice and victims receive effective remedies including reparations,” said Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty International’s Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.(Courtesy of mizzima.com)
KACHIN MILITIA LEADER EXPELLED FROM UNION PARLIAMENT
A Union Election Commission tribunal has ordered Kachin militia leader Zahkung Ting Ying to vacate his Amyotha Hluttaw seat after a ruling in the commission’s Nay Pyi Taw headquarters.
According to the tribunal’s verdict on Friday, there was obvious evidence that Ting Ying had broken numerous election laws while campaigning, including the physical intimidation of rival candidates.
Ting Ying successfully recontested his seat for Kachin’s 5th constituency as an independent last November, a seat he first won during the 2010 election. He is the leader of the New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K), a pro-government militia that was constituted as a Border Guard Force in 2009. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
According to the tribunal’s verdict on Friday, there was obvious evidence that Ting Ying had broken numerous election laws while campaigning, including the physical intimidation of rival candidates.
Ting Ying successfully recontested his seat for Kachin’s 5th constituency as an independent last November, a seat he first won during the 2010 election. He is the leader of the New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K), a pro-government militia that was constituted as a Border Guard Force in 2009. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Govt unveils 5-year trade strategy
The government's second five-year National Development Plan, running to 2020-21, aims to boost exports with market-friendly legislation, increase competition and help for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The plan also prepares to provide loans, cooperate with international organisations, offer human resource development, consumer protection, boost production of value-added goods, the services sector and information technology. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The plan also prepares to provide loans, cooperate with international organisations, offer human resource development, consumer protection, boost production of value-added goods, the services sector and information technology. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
More illegal migrants caught in Tak
Another 41 illegal Myanmar migrant workers were arrested on Saturday during a raid on living quarters in Mae Sot district as authorities stepped up cracking down on illegal migrant workers living in this northern border province.
Col Sophon Nanthawuan, chief of the 4th infantry unit, on Saturday led a combined team of soldiers, border patrol police and immigration officials to the temporary living quarters at the Wat Luang community in Mae Sot municipal area following information that there were many illegal migrant workers living there. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
Col Sophon Nanthawuan, chief of the 4th infantry unit, on Saturday led a combined team of soldiers, border patrol police and immigration officials to the temporary living quarters at the Wat Luang community in Mae Sot municipal area following information that there were many illegal migrant workers living there. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
Thailand reaffirms Dawei plans, but does Myanmar?
“The governments of Thailand and Myanmar reaffirmed that the Dawei megaproject will create thousands of jobs and improve the livelihoods of people along the border,” according to Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Prayuth was speaking at a joint press conference in Bangkok on Friday. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi also addressed reporters, but made no mention of her administration’s commitment to the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) or other mutual business or trade interests. The pair also declined to take questions after the press briefing. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Prayuth was speaking at a joint press conference in Bangkok on Friday. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi also addressed reporters, but made no mention of her administration’s commitment to the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) or other mutual business or trade interests. The pair also declined to take questions after the press briefing. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
June 25, 2016
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing pledges to help safeguard Buddhism
Amid the government’s efforts to arrange peace talks, and an ongoing controversy over terminology for religious minorities in Rakhine State, Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the Tatmadaw would help shoulder the burden of protecting Myanmar’s predominantly Buddhist character.
In a speech to recruits at the military’s Officer Training School in Bahtoo, Shan State, on June 21, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing noted Myanmar’s majority Buddhist demographics, pledging to safeguard that religious heritage for future generations.
The comments, reported in the military-owned Myawady newspaper, come as the government grapples with the sensitive topic of how to refer to the Muslim community that self-identifies as Rohingya, as well as prepares to undertake peace negotiations with a handful of ethnic armed groups that identify as Christian. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
In a speech to recruits at the military’s Officer Training School in Bahtoo, Shan State, on June 21, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing noted Myanmar’s majority Buddhist demographics, pledging to safeguard that religious heritage for future generations.
The comments, reported in the military-owned Myawady newspaper, come as the government grapples with the sensitive topic of how to refer to the Muslim community that self-identifies as Rohingya, as well as prepares to undertake peace negotiations with a handful of ethnic armed groups that identify as Christian. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Despite Criticism, Suu Kyi Offers Hope to Rohingya
If we see each other as humans and show mutual respect, then it is easy to solve problems. But when one side looks at the other as if they are sub-human, it is almost impossible to come up with a solution. This is what is happening in Arakan State, where the UN has accused Burma of human rights violations.
The Rohingya are Muslims and are also perceived as having darker skin than the local ethnic Arakanese Buddhists, who believe that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. They call them “Bengali,” despite their own wish to be identified as “Rohingya.” This has left the government and the UN powerless to bring the two communities together. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
The Rohingya are Muslims and are also perceived as having darker skin than the local ethnic Arakanese Buddhists, who believe that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. They call them “Bengali,” despite their own wish to be identified as “Rohingya.” This has left the government and the UN powerless to bring the two communities together. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
An open letter to the state counsellor and foreign minister of Myanmar, her excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
On the occasion of your visit to Thailand during June 23-25, we, the Coalition for the Rights of Refugees and Stateless Persons – composed of academic institutions and civil society organisations in Thailand dedicated to providing support to refugees and stateless people, and researching the issue of migration into Thailand, particularly the Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladesh – would like to make the following recommendations to Her Excellency as the state counsellor and foreign minister of Myanmar:
1. Revise the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law to address statelessness of the Rohingya ethnic population and to reinstate nationality to Rohingya who used to be bestowed with the Myanmar nationality prior to the enforcement of the law.
2. Allow international organisations access to provide humanitarian assistance in the control areas for the Rohingya in Rakhine State who have been deprived of human rights and access to basic services. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
1. Revise the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law to address statelessness of the Rohingya ethnic population and to reinstate nationality to Rohingya who used to be bestowed with the Myanmar nationality prior to the enforcement of the law.
2. Allow international organisations access to provide humanitarian assistance in the control areas for the Rohingya in Rakhine State who have been deprived of human rights and access to basic services. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
June 24, 2016
‘Have sympathy for us’: Aung San Suu Kyi embraced by migrant Rohingya workers during visit to Thailand
In a demonstration of her popular appeal, Myanmar de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi received a rapturous welcome on Thursday as she presided over a town hall-type meeting with some of the huge population of migrant workers from her homeland who eke out a living in Thailand.
Suu Kyi met with Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon province near Bangkok, where she urged them to be honest with their employers and hosts in Thailand and to abide by the law. Suu Kyi likened them to guests of Thailand and urged them to talk with their employers to find solutions to any issues that may arise.
“When living together, it is normal that some little difficulties or problems may occur, but talking over them is the best solution,” Suu Kyi said. (Courtesy of scmp.com)
Suu Kyi met with Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon province near Bangkok, where she urged them to be honest with their employers and hosts in Thailand and to abide by the law. Suu Kyi likened them to guests of Thailand and urged them to talk with their employers to find solutions to any issues that may arise.
“When living together, it is normal that some little difficulties or problems may occur, but talking over them is the best solution,” Suu Kyi said. (Courtesy of scmp.com)
Police allow Rohingya group a partial press conference
Police on Thursday interrupted a planned press conference on the problems of the Rohingya people on the grounds it would disrupt a visit beginning Thursday by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who refuses to recognise Rohingya as citizens.
After negotiations, police allowed the group's organiser to make a statement, without questions.
Officers held long talks with members of the Rohingya Thailand Group, led by Haji Ismail, who had contracted to use the for a discussion of the problems of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
After negotiations, police allowed the group's organiser to make a statement, without questions.
Officers held long talks with members of the Rohingya Thailand Group, led by Haji Ismail, who had contracted to use the for a discussion of the problems of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
ARAKAN ARMY COMMANDER: 'THE PRESIDENT MUST HAVE TOTAL AUTHORITY OVER THE MILITARY'
The Arakan Army (AA) was formed in 2009 in the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) stronghold of Laiza, on Myanmar’s northern border with China, where the Arakan ethnic rebels received training and arms.
They have fought alongside the KIA, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Kokang’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance (MNDAA) in Kachin and Shan states.
In March 2015, AA forces first clashed with the Myanmar army in Rakhine, their western home state, where they have considerable popular support. Fighting has since spread throughout the townships of Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Mrauk-U, where some 2,000 civilians have fled. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
They have fought alongside the KIA, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Kokang’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance (MNDAA) in Kachin and Shan states.
In March 2015, AA forces first clashed with the Myanmar army in Rakhine, their western home state, where they have considerable popular support. Fighting has since spread throughout the townships of Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Mrauk-U, where some 2,000 civilians have fled. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Envoys 'fail to match' UN ideals
A Myanmar UN representative told the 32nd Human Rights Council Conference in Geneva on June 21 that the body's human rights envoys were not living up to the UN's ideals, according to the Voice of America news agency.
The Myanmar representative made the comment to the conference as Miklos Haraszti, the special envoy to Belarus, submitted a report to the conference.
The conference is being held from June 13 to July 1.
“Assigning duties to UN special envoys to investigate human rights is a positive sign, but it may cause confrontation, misunderstanding and differences,” Thet Thinzar Tun, the Myanmar representative, said. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The Myanmar representative made the comment to the conference as Miklos Haraszti, the special envoy to Belarus, submitted a report to the conference.
The conference is being held from June 13 to July 1.
“Assigning duties to UN special envoys to investigate human rights is a positive sign, but it may cause confrontation, misunderstanding and differences,” Thet Thinzar Tun, the Myanmar representative, said. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Myanmar kids prep for homecoming in Thailand's 'Little Burma'
Enrolment at the school, the first in the fishing hub of Samut Sakhon to offer a Myanmar curriculum including reading and writing, is surging as migrants wearied by the poor pay and low status in Thailand eye a return home.
For the 400 five to 15-year-olds crammed into a large community-funded classroom, the lessons are a bridge to a country many barely know after growing up in Thailand.
But their parents’ hopes of a homecoming have bloomed since the ascent to power of Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy party. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
For the 400 five to 15-year-olds crammed into a large community-funded classroom, the lessons are a bridge to a country many barely know after growing up in Thailand.
But their parents’ hopes of a homecoming have bloomed since the ascent to power of Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy party. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
India, Myanmar jointly inspecting bridges along trilateral trade route
The results of the assessment are expected late this month, said U Shwe Lay, deputy director general for the ministry’s Department of Bridges.
A total of 73 bridges are under review, some of which were built as far back as World War II.
“They are examining the bridges with the government’s permission,” U Shwe Lay told The Myanmar Times. “The assistant director and a deputy chief officer are included in the investigation team. The results will be revealed after June 30.”
The team is examining the structural integrity and design of the bridges, as well as any major or minor maintenance that might be required. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
A total of 73 bridges are under review, some of which were built as far back as World War II.
“They are examining the bridges with the government’s permission,” U Shwe Lay told The Myanmar Times. “The assistant director and a deputy chief officer are included in the investigation team. The results will be revealed after June 30.”
The team is examining the structural integrity and design of the bridges, as well as any major or minor maintenance that might be required. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
WHAT NEXT FOR MA BA THA?
An uncertain future confronts Ma Ba Tha in the aftermath of the last year’s election triumph by the National League for Democracy, against which the hardline Buddhist nationalist group had strongly campaigned.
The overwhelming NLD victory was a shock and an embarrassment for Ma Ba Tha, the Myanmar acronym for the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion.
“I never thought the NLD would win this many townships,” a shocked U Wirathu, Ma Ba Tha’s outspoken founder, told the Myanmar Times a few days after the election.
He was speaking at a monastery in Mandalay, where the hardline group was formed in 2013 to defend Buddhism in Myanmar against what it regards as a threat from Islam. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
The overwhelming NLD victory was a shock and an embarrassment for Ma Ba Tha, the Myanmar acronym for the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion.
“I never thought the NLD would win this many townships,” a shocked U Wirathu, Ma Ba Tha’s outspoken founder, told the Myanmar Times a few days after the election.
He was speaking at a monastery in Mandalay, where the hardline group was formed in 2013 to defend Buddhism in Myanmar against what it regards as a threat from Islam. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Mob destroys mosque as religious, ethnic tension rises in Myanmar
A group of men from a village in central Myanmar destroyed a mosque in the first serious outburst of inter-religious violence in months, coinciding with a rise in tensions over how to refer to the Rohingya, the country's persecuted Muslim minority.
Villagers from Thayethamin, a remote settlement a two-hours' drive northeast of Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, destroyed the mosque on Thursday after a dispute over its construction, and beat up at least one Muslim man, media and a police spokesman said.
Religious tensions simmered in Myanmar for almost half a century of military rule, before boiling over in 2012, just a year after a semi-civilian government took power. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Villagers from Thayethamin, a remote settlement a two-hours' drive northeast of Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, destroyed the mosque on Thursday after a dispute over its construction, and beat up at least one Muslim man, media and a police spokesman said.
Religious tensions simmered in Myanmar for almost half a century of military rule, before boiling over in 2012, just a year after a semi-civilian government took power. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Myanmar Migrant Workers in Thailand
Aung San Suu Kyi met with a few hundred migrant workers from Myanmar during a visit to Thailand on Thursday, while thousands of others waited in the rain outside the factory where she spoke hoping she would address the crowd.
Myanmar’s de facto national leader, who also holds the positions of state counselor, foreign minister, and minister of the President’s Office, met for about 45 minutes with migrant laborers in the Mahachai district of central Thailand’s Samut Sakhon province outside Bangkok.
She is visiting Thailand in her capacities as foreign minister and state counselor.
Aung San Suu Kyi made the stop in Mahachai as part of an official three-day visit to the neighboring country, where she will meet with Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha on Friday and sign an agreement that will make it easier for Myanmar migrants to work legally in Thailand. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
Myanmar’s de facto national leader, who also holds the positions of state counselor, foreign minister, and minister of the President’s Office, met for about 45 minutes with migrant laborers in the Mahachai district of central Thailand’s Samut Sakhon province outside Bangkok.
She is visiting Thailand in her capacities as foreign minister and state counselor.
Aung San Suu Kyi made the stop in Mahachai as part of an official three-day visit to the neighboring country, where she will meet with Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha on Friday and sign an agreement that will make it easier for Myanmar migrants to work legally in Thailand. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
Myanmar: Rohingya will not be called Rohingya by the EU
The European Union said on Wednesday Myanmar needed "space" to deal with human rights abuses in its restive northwest, adding it would respect the call by country leader Aung San Suu Kyi to avoid the term "Rohingya" to describe persecuted Muslims there.
The statement exposes a rift in the West's approach to the sensitive issue, standing in contrast with the United States, which said it would continue to use the term, citing respect for the right of communities to choose what they should be called.
Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves by the term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The Rohingya have not even been considered citizens of Myanmar and the name itself is a divisive issue.
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Tensions around the Muslim minority are rising. This week, Suu Kyi told the United Nations Human Rights investigator visiting the country that the government would not use the term because it was inflammatory. (Courtesy of smh.com.au)
The statement exposes a rift in the West's approach to the sensitive issue, standing in contrast with the United States, which said it would continue to use the term, citing respect for the right of communities to choose what they should be called.
Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves by the term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The Rohingya have not even been considered citizens of Myanmar and the name itself is a divisive issue.
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Tensions around the Muslim minority are rising. This week, Suu Kyi told the United Nations Human Rights investigator visiting the country that the government would not use the term because it was inflammatory. (Courtesy of smh.com.au)
EU SAYS FOCUSED ON ‘CONSTRUCTIVE’ SOLUTIONS TO RAKHINE IMPASSE
The European Union Ambassador to Myanmar has said that communal tensions in Rakhine State remain “very high on the international agenda” during a policy briefing Wednesday.
Speaking at the Shangri La Hotel in downtown Yangon, Roland Kobia highlighted the EU’s humanitarian and development commitments in Rakhine while seeking to remain above the fray over the renewed controversy over use of the term Rohingya to refer to part of the state’s Muslim population.
“We wish to be helpful and supportive of solutions, and not to create additional layers of complexity,” he said. “For us the issues of substance in the short term are more important than nomenclature at this stage in the process.”
The Rohingya, a population of more than one million predominantly Muslim residents of Rakhine State, were the disproportionate victims of communal violence in 2012 that left hundreds dead and displaced more than 100,000 others. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Speaking at the Shangri La Hotel in downtown Yangon, Roland Kobia highlighted the EU’s humanitarian and development commitments in Rakhine while seeking to remain above the fray over the renewed controversy over use of the term Rohingya to refer to part of the state’s Muslim population.
“We wish to be helpful and supportive of solutions, and not to create additional layers of complexity,” he said. “For us the issues of substance in the short term are more important than nomenclature at this stage in the process.”
The Rohingya, a population of more than one million predominantly Muslim residents of Rakhine State, were the disproportionate victims of communal violence in 2012 that left hundreds dead and displaced more than 100,000 others. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Nationalist party opposes official term for Muslim community in Rakhine
The Arakan National Party (ANP) said in a statement that they totally reject any other term besides “Bengalis” to refer to the mostly stateless minority which self-identifies as “Rohingya”.
“Saying ‘Muslim community from Rakhine State’ makes it sounds as if they have always lived in the state. It’s like saying Rakhine is their place of origin,” said ANP’s secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw. “It will create more opportunities for them to attain citizenship and it’s like already accepting they are Myanmar nationals from Myanmar.”
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has asked several visiting dignitaries to refrain from using either the terms “Rohingya” or “Bengali”, including most recently the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
“Saying ‘Muslim community from Rakhine State’ makes it sounds as if they have always lived in the state. It’s like saying Rakhine is their place of origin,” said ANP’s secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw. “It will create more opportunities for them to attain citizenship and it’s like already accepting they are Myanmar nationals from Myanmar.”
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has asked several visiting dignitaries to refrain from using either the terms “Rohingya” or “Bengali”, including most recently the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
June 23, 2016
UAE- Endless plight of the Rohingya: paper
A UAE newspaper has said that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra''ad Al Hussein, is absolutely right in asking the Myanmar government to take concrete steps to end the systemic discrimination and human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state.
"A report requested by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2015 has documented a wide range of rights violations, including arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence and limitations to political rights," said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Wednesday.
"It also notes that for those formally charged, fair trial guarantees are often not respected. The report has clearly highlighted the possibility that the pattern of violations against the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity. (Courtesy of menafn.com)
"A report requested by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2015 has documented a wide range of rights violations, including arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence and limitations to political rights," said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Wednesday.
"It also notes that for those formally charged, fair trial guarantees are often not respected. The report has clearly highlighted the possibility that the pattern of violations against the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity. (Courtesy of menafn.com)
UN Rapporteur Avoids Contentious Terms with Arakan Chief Minister
The United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Yanghee Lee, and Arakan State Chief Minister Nyi Pu struck a conciliatory tone on a meeting in the state capital Sittwe on Wednesday, in which the contentious terms “Rohingya” and “Bengali” were avoided.
Yanghee Lee expressed confidence in the leadership of Nyi Pu, a National League for Democracy (NLD) member who was appointed as Chief Minister by the NLD leadership in the face of opposition from the Arakan National Party (ANP), which represents the Arakanese Buddhist majority and holds the largest plurality of seats in the state parliament.
Despite a reported request from Yanghee Lee, the ANP issued a statement on Wednesday saying they would not meet with her because she was “coming to write a biased report” for the UN.
Yanghee Lee and the UN have been the subject of fierce criticism, and abuse, from nationalists in Burma for highlighting discrimination against the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority in Arakan State, whom the general public in Burma refers to as “Bengali,” to imply they migrated illegally from Bangladesh. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Yanghee Lee expressed confidence in the leadership of Nyi Pu, a National League for Democracy (NLD) member who was appointed as Chief Minister by the NLD leadership in the face of opposition from the Arakan National Party (ANP), which represents the Arakanese Buddhist majority and holds the largest plurality of seats in the state parliament.
Despite a reported request from Yanghee Lee, the ANP issued a statement on Wednesday saying they would not meet with her because she was “coming to write a biased report” for the UN.
Yanghee Lee and the UN have been the subject of fierce criticism, and abuse, from nationalists in Burma for highlighting discrimination against the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority in Arakan State, whom the general public in Burma refers to as “Bengali,” to imply they migrated illegally from Bangladesh. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
The human exploiters
Within a matter of weeks, the US State Department will once again be rating and ranking itself and the world on human trafficking. All eyes in Thailand will once again be on whether this so-called "gold standard" has promoted the nation from its recent position at the bottom of the barrel. The country was moved two years ago from Tier 2 to Tier 3, a list of shame that includes nations with actual slave labour like North Korea, and long-term violators without any intention to improve. This was an appropriate ranking for "the old Thailand". But the country now appears to fare much better. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
EU says Myanmar needs "space" to deal with rights abuses
The European Union said on Wednesday Myanmar needed "space" to deal with human rights abuses in its restive northwest, adding it would respect the call by country leader Aung San Suu Kyi to avoid the term "Rohingya" to describe persecuted Muslims there.
The statement exposes a rift in the West's approach to the sensitive issue, standing in contrast with the United States, which said it would continue to use the term, citing respect for the right of communities to choose what they should be called.
Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves by the term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The term is a divisive issue. (Courtesy of news.trust.org)
The statement exposes a rift in the West's approach to the sensitive issue, standing in contrast with the United States, which said it would continue to use the term, citing respect for the right of communities to choose what they should be called.
Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves by the term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The term is a divisive issue. (Courtesy of news.trust.org)
RNP issues statement on use of ‘Muslim community in Rakhine State’
The Rakhine National Party has issued a statement on the usage of the term ‘Muslim community in Rakhine State’ at the human rights conference on June 21.
A Myanmar representative submitted a proposal to the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 17, instructing participants to refer to the Rohingya community as the ‘Muslim community in Rakhine State’, rather than as ‘Rohingya’ or ‘Bengali’.
The RNP’s statement said: “Our party holds the view that Rakhine ethnics are blamed for the Bengali issue of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar by undermining the Union spirit. Now, the government is issuing citizenship scrutiny cards in Rakhine State after forming various committees to ensure stability, peace and development in Rakhine State. The plan to issue citizenship scrutiny cards is timed to coincide with the human rights conference. At this time, the term ‘Muslim community’ instead of ‘Bengalis’ seems to create a good chance for Bengalis to be citizens.” (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
A Myanmar representative submitted a proposal to the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 17, instructing participants to refer to the Rohingya community as the ‘Muslim community in Rakhine State’, rather than as ‘Rohingya’ or ‘Bengali’.
The RNP’s statement said: “Our party holds the view that Rakhine ethnics are blamed for the Bengali issue of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar by undermining the Union spirit. Now, the government is issuing citizenship scrutiny cards in Rakhine State after forming various committees to ensure stability, peace and development in Rakhine State. The plan to issue citizenship scrutiny cards is timed to coincide with the human rights conference. At this time, the term ‘Muslim community’ instead of ‘Bengalis’ seems to create a good chance for Bengalis to be citizens.” (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
U.N. Envoy Meets With Muslims And Buddhists in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
A United Nations human rights envoy to Myanmar met on Wednesday with Muslim and Buddhist residents of the country’s troubled Rakhine state at the airport in the state capital Sittwe, though the state’s dominant local political party turned down her invitation for a discussion.
“I come here as I did on my very first trip as a true friend of Rakhine,” said Yanghee Lee, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
Lee is on a 12-day visit to the country through July 1 to address a range of human rights issues with authorities and various stakeholders and compile information for a report she will submit to the U.N. in September.
“I come here with sincerity, and I am here to facilitate the process here so that everybody benefits from the new changes here,” she said.
This is Lee’s fourth mission to Myanmar since she was appointed as the U.N. envoy to the country in 2014. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
“I come here as I did on my very first trip as a true friend of Rakhine,” said Yanghee Lee, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
Lee is on a 12-day visit to the country through July 1 to address a range of human rights issues with authorities and various stakeholders and compile information for a report she will submit to the U.N. in September.
“I come here with sincerity, and I am here to facilitate the process here so that everybody benefits from the new changes here,” she said.
This is Lee’s fourth mission to Myanmar since she was appointed as the U.N. envoy to the country in 2014. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
SOLVING ROHINGYA PROBLEM
With the commemoration of World Refugee Day earlier this week, one of the planet’s most marginalised communities, the Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar, are back under the international spotlight — and alongwith them, so is Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner and the West’s Great Hope for Democracy in the south-east Asian nation. Given the almost saintly halo that had been built around Suu Kyi especially by the Western Press, it was taken for granted that when she comes to power, she will bring relief and succour to the long-suffering Rohingyas, who, forget about rights and benefits, are barely acknowledged by the Myanmar state and routinely persecuted by society. (Courtesy of dailypioneer.com)
MP demands removal of ‘Mongwun (Bamar)’ category on ID cards
MP Nang San Hwan of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy asked the Shan State parliament to stop using ‘Mongwun (Bamar)’ as an ethnic category on citizenship cards as the category is generally used by Chinese immigrants to claim citizenship rights in Myanmar.
On May 4, Lower House MP Sai Thant Zin of Hsipaw Constituency in Shan State demanded an explanation as to why the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population accepts ‘Mongwun (Bamar)’ on citizenship cards. The Minister of Labour, Immigration and Population Thein Swe replied that Mongwun is not a Myanmar ethnic group.
However, according to the MP Nang San Hwan, township immigration offices are still accepting ‘Mongwun (Bamar)’ on national identity cards. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
On May 4, Lower House MP Sai Thant Zin of Hsipaw Constituency in Shan State demanded an explanation as to why the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population accepts ‘Mongwun (Bamar)’ on citizenship cards. The Minister of Labour, Immigration and Population Thein Swe replied that Mongwun is not a Myanmar ethnic group.
However, according to the MP Nang San Hwan, township immigration offices are still accepting ‘Mongwun (Bamar)’ on national identity cards. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Ethnic armed groups propose venues for meeting with govt delegation
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Force (MNDAA) proposed to meet with the Preparation Committee for the 21st Century Panglong Conference at Shweli, Hpansan or Mongla, said Lt-Col Tar Hpone Kyaw, the general secretary of the TNLA on June 21.
The committee is left to meet with TNLA, AA, MNDAA and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland to persuade them to attend the Union Peace Conference.
Committee secretary Hla Maung Shwe said his committee is trying to make contact with all the ethnic armed groups that have not yet met with the government delegation within the month of June. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The committee is left to meet with TNLA, AA, MNDAA and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland to persuade them to attend the Union Peace Conference.
Committee secretary Hla Maung Shwe said his committee is trying to make contact with all the ethnic armed groups that have not yet met with the government delegation within the month of June. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Myanmar gov't urged to uphold democratic principles
The European Rohingya Council has urged Myanmar's government led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.
"The council and the Rohingya community are deeply surprised and saddened by Suu Kyi-led government’s move in the footsteps of [the] previous Thein Sein led quasi-civilian government forcing Rohingya to self-identify as illegal immigrants by issuing so-called National Verification Card (NVC)," the council said in a written statement.
Identifying as illegal immigrants was a project that was "assumed by the Rohingya community as one of the genocidal tools pursued by previous military governments,” the council said, and the current civilian government recently restarted the project of a stateless Rohingya in some cities in Rakhine State. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
"The council and the Rohingya community are deeply surprised and saddened by Suu Kyi-led government’s move in the footsteps of [the] previous Thein Sein led quasi-civilian government forcing Rohingya to self-identify as illegal immigrants by issuing so-called National Verification Card (NVC)," the council said in a written statement.
Identifying as illegal immigrants was a project that was "assumed by the Rohingya community as one of the genocidal tools pursued by previous military governments,” the council said, and the current civilian government recently restarted the project of a stateless Rohingya in some cities in Rakhine State. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
382 Myanmar military personnel punished for recruiting minors
Myanmar military authorities have recently punished 382 military personnel including 73 officers for recruiting child soldiers, Xinhua reported on 21 June quoting the Committee for Prevention of Minors from Military Service. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Nicholas Farrelly -- How ASEAN is adapting to a democratic Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi will land in Bangkok for the first time since her triumphant 2015 election victory on June 23. Her Thai military hosts know something about elections: They tend not to respect their outcomes.
As Myanmar's democratic icon knows well, if you want to do high-level diplomatic business in Southeast Asia then you need a strong stomach for authoritarianism.
Since its formation in 1967, the weight of influence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has rested with the region's dictatorships. Some are more huggable than others. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
As Myanmar's democratic icon knows well, if you want to do high-level diplomatic business in Southeast Asia then you need a strong stomach for authoritarianism.
Since its formation in 1967, the weight of influence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has rested with the region's dictatorships. Some are more huggable than others. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
Rohingyas fear being whitewashed from Myanmar's history
Minority Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar are concerned for their future as the country's new civilian-led government continues to avoid using the name that they self-identify with.
"We are very worried about disappearing from history by the government's avoidance in using the term Rohingya," said Kyaw Hla Aung a Rohingya activist from the Thetkaepyin camp for internally displaced people near Sittwe the capital city of Rakhine state.
Kyaw Hla Aung said that the Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations and there is evidence of their existence.
"It is a legacy from the former military dictatorship that attempted to destroy such a history," he said. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
"We are very worried about disappearing from history by the government's avoidance in using the term Rohingya," said Kyaw Hla Aung a Rohingya activist from the Thetkaepyin camp for internally displaced people near Sittwe the capital city of Rakhine state.
Kyaw Hla Aung said that the Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations and there is evidence of their existence.
"It is a legacy from the former military dictatorship that attempted to destroy such a history," he said. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
Nationalist Myanmar party rejects UN envoy’s meet offer
A powerful ethnic party in Myanmar has rejected a United Nations human rights envoy’s request to meet during her visit to displaced persons camps in troubled western Rakhine state.
Yanghee Leeg, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, arrived in the state’s capital Sittwe on Wednesday morning and requested a meeting with officials from the Arakan National Party (ANP) on Thursday morning, the party said in a statement.
“We don’t believe at all that she wants to try to understand the situation here. She never really listens to us. That’s why we refused to meet her,” ANP joint secretary Ba Swe told Anadolu Agency by phone. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
Yanghee Leeg, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, arrived in the state’s capital Sittwe on Wednesday morning and requested a meeting with officials from the Arakan National Party (ANP) on Thursday morning, the party said in a statement.
“We don’t believe at all that she wants to try to understand the situation here. She never really listens to us. That’s why we refused to meet her,” ANP joint secretary Ba Swe told Anadolu Agency by phone. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
June 22, 2016
Myanmar: Nationalist party slams new term for Rohingya
A powerful ethnic party has denounced Myanmar’s government - led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi - for its suggestion of a new term to describe a stateless Muslim community in troubled western Rakhine state.
The Arakan National Party (ANP) said in a statement Tuesday that the government had presented a proposal last week to the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva that “Muslim community in Rakhine state” should be used instead of the controversial terms “Rohingya” or “Bengali”.
The ANP, which won the majority of seats in Rakhine in last year’s general election, said it was totally unacceptable to use the new term to describe the “Bengali” - a term suggesting Rohingya Muslims are illegal immigrants from neighboring country Bangladesh. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
The Arakan National Party (ANP) said in a statement Tuesday that the government had presented a proposal last week to the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva that “Muslim community in Rakhine state” should be used instead of the controversial terms “Rohingya” or “Bengali”.
The ANP, which won the majority of seats in Rakhine in last year’s general election, said it was totally unacceptable to use the new term to describe the “Bengali” - a term suggesting Rohingya Muslims are illegal immigrants from neighboring country Bangladesh. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
Myanmar: Suu Kyi, UN human rights envoy discuss Rakhine
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and a United Nations human rights envoy, Yanghee Lee, have discussed how to address the situation in the country’s troubled Rakhine State, state media reported Tuesday.
During a meeting in political capital Nay Pyi Taw on Monday, Lee and Suu Kyi exchanged views on efforts to address the situation in the western state -- home to around one million Rohingya Muslims -- according to state-run newspaper the Global New Light of Myanmar.
Aung Lin, permanent secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs, told reporters after the meeting that “foreign minister [Suu Kyi] explained to her [Lee] why we should avoid using such controversial terms”. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
During a meeting in political capital Nay Pyi Taw on Monday, Lee and Suu Kyi exchanged views on efforts to address the situation in the western state -- home to around one million Rohingya Muslims -- according to state-run newspaper the Global New Light of Myanmar.
Aung Lin, permanent secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs, told reporters after the meeting that “foreign minister [Suu Kyi] explained to her [Lee] why we should avoid using such controversial terms”. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
UN investigator told to avoid ‘controversial’ terms
Yanghee Lee met with Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, the first meeting during the UN monitor’s fourth official visit to the country.
The foreign minister reportedly asked Ms Lee to avoid using the term “Rohingya” during her trip. The current administration has said its official position is to avoid using either “Bengali” and “Rohingya” to refer to a Muslim community in Rakhine State, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya.
“The government and Daw Aung San Su Kyi herself also avoid using this word. It is not useful to the community and it could cause tensions by using it,” said U Zaw Htay, of the President’s Office. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
The foreign minister reportedly asked Ms Lee to avoid using the term “Rohingya” during her trip. The current administration has said its official position is to avoid using either “Bengali” and “Rohingya” to refer to a Muslim community in Rakhine State, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya.
“The government and Daw Aung San Su Kyi herself also avoid using this word. It is not useful to the community and it could cause tensions by using it,” said U Zaw Htay, of the President’s Office. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Thai PM Will Not Raise Rohingya Issue During Talks With Suu Kyi
Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha will not raise the Rohingya issue during Aung San Suu Kyi's three-days official visit here beginning Thursday saying that it was Myanmar's internal affairs.
Speaking to the media at the Government House Tuesday, he said that Bangkok will not interfere in the issue as it was considered a sensitive topic, which involved Myanmar's domestic affairs.
"If she (Suu Kyi) talks (about Rohingya issue), I will listen. They (Myanmar government) visit me and they will be (the one) who will mostly raise the topic, I will listen to them, what we can help, we will help, but we don't interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs," he stressed.(Courtesy of bernama.com.my)
Speaking to the media at the Government House Tuesday, he said that Bangkok will not interfere in the issue as it was considered a sensitive topic, which involved Myanmar's domestic affairs.
"If she (Suu Kyi) talks (about Rohingya issue), I will listen. They (Myanmar government) visit me and they will be (the one) who will mostly raise the topic, I will listen to them, what we can help, we will help, but we don't interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs," he stressed.(Courtesy of bernama.com.my)
Presidential Spokesman Hits Back Against UN Criticism Over Rohingya
The UN and the international community should support ongoing reforms inside Burma instead of focusing on human rights abuses perpetrated by the former government, said President’s Office Spokesman Zaw Htay, in response to a fresh criticism from the UN over Burma’s treatment of religious and ethnic minorities—in particular the Muslim Rohingya.
This week saw the release of a new report on Burma by the UN’s human rights office, which stated that systematic violations against the Rohingya—including denial of citizenship rights, forced labor and sexual violence—could amount to “crimes against humanity.”
More than 100,000 Rohingya remain in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Arakan State, after anti-Muslim violence in 2012 and 2013. They are subjected to severe restrictions of movement and are denied citizenship and proper access to healthcare and education; many have chosen to flee the country, placing them in the hands of predatory human-trafficking gangs. The new government has yet to take concrete steps to alleviate the situation, and its policies remain a topic of speculation. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
This week saw the release of a new report on Burma by the UN’s human rights office, which stated that systematic violations against the Rohingya—including denial of citizenship rights, forced labor and sexual violence—could amount to “crimes against humanity.”
More than 100,000 Rohingya remain in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Arakan State, after anti-Muslim violence in 2012 and 2013. They are subjected to severe restrictions of movement and are denied citizenship and proper access to healthcare and education; many have chosen to flee the country, placing them in the hands of predatory human-trafficking gangs. The new government has yet to take concrete steps to alleviate the situation, and its policies remain a topic of speculation. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Rohingya refugees back on their feet a year after crisis
No more: Security personnel push a stranded Sri Lankan boat off the shore using a backhoe before towing it out to sea at Lhoknga Beach, Aceh, on Monday. After providing humanitarian aid, local authorities tried to turn away the boat, which was carrying 44 Sri Lankan asylum seekers.(JP/Hotli Simanjuntak)
Sofih Alam can only resign himself to God as he cannot fast during Ramadhan with his family. Sofih is staying with other Rohingya Muslim refugees at the Pelangi Hotel in Medan, North Sumatra, while his wife and child, who are Indonesian nationals, live with his parents-in-law on Jl. Irigasi, Medan.
Sofih is among Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees who are married to Indonesian Muslim women. Since getting married in 2014, Sofih lives separately with his wife, but the ethnically mixed marriage is blessed with a son, aged 8 months. (Courtesy of thejakartapost.com)
Sofih Alam can only resign himself to God as he cannot fast during Ramadhan with his family. Sofih is staying with other Rohingya Muslim refugees at the Pelangi Hotel in Medan, North Sumatra, while his wife and child, who are Indonesian nationals, live with his parents-in-law on Jl. Irigasi, Medan.
Sofih is among Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees who are married to Indonesian Muslim women. Since getting married in 2014, Sofih lives separately with his wife, but the ethnically mixed marriage is blessed with a son, aged 8 months. (Courtesy of thejakartapost.com)
Calendar printers convicted, imprisoned
Four men were sentenced last week to one year’s imprisonment for publishing a Rohingya calendar that authorities said could be detrimental to the state or public tranquility.
The four men have been incarcerated since their arrest on November 24 and police are still looking for another man who was charged in absentia. Publisher U Kyaw Kyaw Wai was also arrested last year but has since been released due to a lack of evidence corroborating his alleged role in the case, according to judge U Myint Kyaw.
“We have taken action against them but the main organiser of the publication, U Aung Khin, has absconded. The court has declared him a fugitive and put out a court warrant. We also shared this with other police stations,” said Police Major Khin Maung Latt.
The verdict was handed down on June 14. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
The four men have been incarcerated since their arrest on November 24 and police are still looking for another man who was charged in absentia. Publisher U Kyaw Kyaw Wai was also arrested last year but has since been released due to a lack of evidence corroborating his alleged role in the case, according to judge U Myint Kyaw.
“We have taken action against them but the main organiser of the publication, U Aung Khin, has absconded. The court has declared him a fugitive and put out a court warrant. We also shared this with other police stations,” said Police Major Khin Maung Latt.
The verdict was handed down on June 14. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
UN investigator told to avoid ‘controv ersial’ terms
The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar was asked yesterday to refrain from using “controversial” terminology to refer to people in Rakhine State.
Yanghee Lee met with Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, the first meeting during the UN monitor’s fourth official visit to the country.
The foreign minister reportedly asked Ms Lee to avoid using the term “Rohingya” during her trip. The current administration has said its official position is to avoid using either “Bengali” and “Rohingya” to refer to a Muslim community in Rakhine State, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya.
“The government and Daw Aung San Su Kyi herself also avoid using this word. It is not useful to the community and it could cause tensions by using it,” said U Zaw Htay, of the President’s Office. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Yanghee Lee met with Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, the first meeting during the UN monitor’s fourth official visit to the country.
The foreign minister reportedly asked Ms Lee to avoid using the term “Rohingya” during her trip. The current administration has said its official position is to avoid using either “Bengali” and “Rohingya” to refer to a Muslim community in Rakhine State, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya.
“The government and Daw Aung San Su Kyi herself also avoid using this word. It is not useful to the community and it could cause tensions by using it,” said U Zaw Htay, of the President’s Office. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
School for 300 Rohingya children in Balapur
Coinciding with the World Refugee Day, a Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) school was opened at Balapur for 300 Rohingya refugee students on Monday.
Dubbed as the first educational institution for refugees in Telangana, the school would be run by NGO Save the Children and would provide 12-hour services to Rohingya refugees along with three meals a day. (Courtesy of newindianexpress.com)
Dubbed as the first educational institution for refugees in Telangana, the school would be run by NGO Save the Children and would provide 12-hour services to Rohingya refugees along with three meals a day. (Courtesy of newindianexpress.com)
Ban on Muslim lawyers network sought
An attorney of the Lawyers Network for Upper Myanmar collected signatures and sent a formal request to the Home Affairs Ministry, according to U Thein Than Oo, the secretary of the Independent Lawyers Association of Myanmar.
“I haven’t signed it even though I disagree with forming a Muslim lawyers network, because they have the right to form an association,” the Mandalay-based lawyer said. U Thein Than Oo added that he was concerned the issue would reignite tensions between Buddhist and Muslim communities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed receipt of the letter asking it not to permit the Muslim association to register. “We have no plan to take action on this because we haven’t received any registration request by the association described in the letter,” said U Ye Naing, the spokesperson for the ministry. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
“I haven’t signed it even though I disagree with forming a Muslim lawyers network, because they have the right to form an association,” the Mandalay-based lawyer said. U Thein Than Oo added that he was concerned the issue would reignite tensions between Buddhist and Muslim communities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed receipt of the letter asking it not to permit the Muslim association to register. “We have no plan to take action on this because we haven’t received any registration request by the association described in the letter,” said U Ye Naing, the spokesperson for the ministry. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
UNHCR introduces new refugee ID cards in Malaysia
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun issuing new identification cards with enhanced security features for refugees in Malaysia in a bid to combat identity fraud and the use of counterfeit documentation.
UNHCR’s representative to Malaysia, Richard Towle, told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that the new cards come with a card verification application and advanced features such as 3D holograms and barcodes and a large Secure Quick Response (SQR) code.
"The card [is] also supported by an enhanced biometric data collection at the UNHCR office," he said. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
UNHCR’s representative to Malaysia, Richard Towle, told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that the new cards come with a card verification application and advanced features such as 3D holograms and barcodes and a large Secure Quick Response (SQR) code.
"The card [is] also supported by an enhanced biometric data collection at the UNHCR office," he said. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
Rohingya may be victims of ‘crimes against humanity’: UN
The United Nations has warned that widespread and ongoing human rights violations against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims could amount to crimes against humanity.
In a report released on Monday on the situation of minorities in Myanmar, the UN human rights office said Rohingyas in the Southeast Asian country are subject to multiple and aggravated forms of human rights violation, including citizenship denial, forced labor and sexual violence.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, therefore urged the new Myanmar Government to take concrete steps to end the “systemic discrimination” and ongoing human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, as he issued a new report on the situation of minorities in Myanmar. (Courtesy of nation.com.pk)
In a report released on Monday on the situation of minorities in Myanmar, the UN human rights office said Rohingyas in the Southeast Asian country are subject to multiple and aggravated forms of human rights violation, including citizenship denial, forced labor and sexual violence.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, therefore urged the new Myanmar Government to take concrete steps to end the “systemic discrimination” and ongoing human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, as he issued a new report on the situation of minorities in Myanmar. (Courtesy of nation.com.pk)
Myanmar Government Orders State Media Not To Use ‘Rohingya’
The Myanmar government has ordered state-run media not to refer to the persecuted Muslim minority group that lives in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state by the divisive term “Rohingya” during a visit by a United Nations human rights official.
The Ministry of Information’s letter dated June 16 instructed official news outlets to describe the 1.1 million Rohingya who live in Rakhine as the “Muslim community in Rakhine state” during a visit by Yanghee Lee, the U.N.’s special envoy on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, who is visiting the country from June 19 to July 2.
“We submitted the phrase ‘Muslim community in Rakhine’ to the United Nations, and we will continue using it in the Burmese language in Myanmar,” said Myo Myint Aung, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of information. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
The Ministry of Information’s letter dated June 16 instructed official news outlets to describe the 1.1 million Rohingya who live in Rakhine as the “Muslim community in Rakhine state” during a visit by Yanghee Lee, the U.N.’s special envoy on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, who is visiting the country from June 19 to July 2.
“We submitted the phrase ‘Muslim community in Rakhine’ to the United Nations, and we will continue using it in the Burmese language in Myanmar,” said Myo Myint Aung, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of information. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
UN report documents systemic discrimination, rights violations
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein yesterday urged the new Myanmarese government to take comprehensive legal and policy measures to end the systemic discrimination and human rights violations against minorities, including the large Rohingya Muslim community in Rakhine State.
He was releasing a new report, requested by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2015 on the situation of “Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar”, in Geneva highlighting the plight of the minorities and documenting a wide range of human rights violations and abuses.
The Rohingya are suffering from arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence, and limitations to their political rights, among other violations, the report says. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)
He was releasing a new report, requested by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2015 on the situation of “Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar”, in Geneva highlighting the plight of the minorities and documenting a wide range of human rights violations and abuses.
The Rohingya are suffering from arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence, and limitations to their political rights, among other violations, the report says. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)
Myanmar bans officials from saying 'Rohingya'
Myanmar has banned its officials from referring to the oppressed Muslim minority as Rohingya, instead insisting they are called "people who believe in Islam".
The order by the Information Ministry attempts to sidestep the controversy that surrounds the identity of the Rohingya and head off disquiet during an ongoing visit by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Yanghee Lee.
"Rohingya or Bengali shall not be used" during Lee's visit, the ministry said in a letter.
"Instead, 'people who believe in Islam in Rakhine State' shall be used," it added. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
The order by the Information Ministry attempts to sidestep the controversy that surrounds the identity of the Rohingya and head off disquiet during an ongoing visit by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Yanghee Lee.
"Rohingya or Bengali shall not be used" during Lee's visit, the ministry said in a letter.
"Instead, 'people who believe in Islam in Rakhine State' shall be used," it added. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
Myanmar will be ready to take back refugees soon, source claims
Myanmar will soon be ready to take back over 100,000 refugees from nine shelters in Thailand, as the country moves towards democracy, an informed source claimed on 20 June. Details were revealed during the launch of a “World Refugee Day” event at Ban Umpiem Mai shelter in Phop Phra district in Tak province, which currently houses about 20,000 refugees. The source said a team from UNHCR had earlier visited the city of Hpa-An in Myanmar to negotiate with authorities there for repatriation of the refugees. (Courtesy of opendevelopmentmekong.net)
June 21, 2016
Final Rohingya census report by Nov
The government is expecting to get the final result of the census on Rohingya by November or December of this year, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque has said.
He was briefing foreign diplomats about the census on Rohingya on Monday in Dhaka.
“We want to collect information about the undocumented Myanmar nationals residing in Bangladesh and that’s why, we conducted the census,” the foreign secretary told the Dhaka Tribune.
The census process started last year and the preliminary data collection completed last week. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
He was briefing foreign diplomats about the census on Rohingya on Monday in Dhaka.
“We want to collect information about the undocumented Myanmar nationals residing in Bangladesh and that’s why, we conducted the census,” the foreign secretary told the Dhaka Tribune.
The census process started last year and the preliminary data collection completed last week. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
Rohingya children in Malaysia, an undocumented life
Many of the approximately 150,000 (PDF) Rohingya who live in Malaysia came here hoping to be relocated to other countries through UNHCR programmes, but some of them have made Malaysia their home, despite the fact that they have no legal status and face many hardships as a result.
Many Rohingya refugee children are born in Malaysia, and remain stateless owing to the undocumented status of their parents.
According to Chia Wei, founder of The Berani Project, the main consequences of this undefined status and lack of identification documents is that the children are "cut off [from] the basic child's rights to education [and] healthcare."
The Berani Project is a social enterprise advocating and creating opportunities for the Rohingya communities and other marginalised people in Kuala Lumpur. Wei explains that "many [children] are forced to work from a young age to help their families".
"The Rohingya, as most of them are undocumented, live in fear of being detained, arrested or deported," explains Ustaz Rafik, a leader of the Rohingya community in Selayang, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
Many Rohingya refugee children are born in Malaysia, and remain stateless owing to the undocumented status of their parents.
According to Chia Wei, founder of The Berani Project, the main consequences of this undefined status and lack of identification documents is that the children are "cut off [from] the basic child's rights to education [and] healthcare."
The Berani Project is a social enterprise advocating and creating opportunities for the Rohingya communities and other marginalised people in Kuala Lumpur. Wei explains that "many [children] are forced to work from a young age to help their families".
"The Rohingya, as most of them are undocumented, live in fear of being detained, arrested or deported," explains Ustaz Rafik, a leader of the Rohingya community in Selayang, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
On World Refugee Day, will there be new hope for Rohingya?
The Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (Merhrom) is deeply disappointed with Myanmar’s new National League for Democracy (NLD) government. Its actions are proof that ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar are facing continuous systematic prosecutions from the Myanmar government.
We face gross human rights violations by the state, we have became victims of alleged genocide for generations and left to die in horrible makeshift camps in our own homeland without food, water and medicine supply from the government.
World Refugee Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the struggles of refugees who forced to flee their country due to war, conflict and human rights abuses. Every year the numbers of refugees and asylum seekers are increasing. (Courtesy of malaysiakini.com)
We face gross human rights violations by the state, we have became victims of alleged genocide for generations and left to die in horrible makeshift camps in our own homeland without food, water and medicine supply from the government.
World Refugee Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the struggles of refugees who forced to flee their country due to war, conflict and human rights abuses. Every year the numbers of refugees and asylum seekers are increasing. (Courtesy of malaysiakini.com)
Rights Groups Call on ASEAN to Address Rohingya Detention
Rights groups are calling on the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to make greater progress in settling about 7,000 Muslim Myanmar refugees a year after they were rescued after being abandoned at sea by traffickers.
The refugees are mostly from the Rohingya population of Myanmar's western Arakine state and were saved after a crackdown by Thai authorities.
Crackdown on traffickers a year ago
Earlier, camps used by smugglers were uncovered in southern Thailand and dozens of bodies were found in shallow graves.
Over 100 people were arrested with links to the trafficking gangs, including some Thai officials. (Courtesy of )
The refugees are mostly from the Rohingya population of Myanmar's western Arakine state and were saved after a crackdown by Thai authorities.
Crackdown on traffickers a year ago
Earlier, camps used by smugglers were uncovered in southern Thailand and dozens of bodies were found in shallow graves.
Over 100 people were arrested with links to the trafficking gangs, including some Thai officials. (Courtesy of )
Burmese library opens as population continues to grow
Many Burmese people in Fort Wayne come to Hope Community Church to learn English.
One local woman we talked to says breaking that language barrier is one way to bring the community closer.
As a young child, growing up wasn’t easy for Shar Aung.
“To be completely honest, I started from the dirt. Like how we would play in the dirt,” Aung said.
She says her mother brought her and her brother here from their Thailand refugee camp when she was 11. (Courtesy of wane.com)
One local woman we talked to says breaking that language barrier is one way to bring the community closer.
As a young child, growing up wasn’t easy for Shar Aung.
“To be completely honest, I started from the dirt. Like how we would play in the dirt,” Aung said.
She says her mother brought her and her brother here from their Thailand refugee camp when she was 11. (Courtesy of wane.com)
Local Bankers Face Competition from Mobile Service Providers
Local bankers are concerned as traditional financial services face competition from mobile financial service providers, following the approval of industry regulations by the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM).
The Central Bank announced in April that any interested party could apply for a mobile financial service license under the Financial Institution Law.
Proponents of mobile banking trumpet the move as a means to dramatically expand the financial services industry in Myanmar, by assisting mobile operators to partner with local banks in an effort to reach Burma’s millions who live in rural areas with limited access to physical bank branches. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
The Central Bank announced in April that any interested party could apply for a mobile financial service license under the Financial Institution Law.
Proponents of mobile banking trumpet the move as a means to dramatically expand the financial services industry in Myanmar, by assisting mobile operators to partner with local banks in an effort to reach Burma’s millions who live in rural areas with limited access to physical bank branches. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
As Suu Kyi Preps For Thai Trip, Migrant Workers Hope For More Rights
Burmese migrant workers living in Thailand hope to receive greater labor rights protection after State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi visits Bangkok later this week, according to advocacy groups on Monday.
It is expected that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation and the Agreement on the Employment of Workers will be signed during her bilateral meetings with the Thai prime minister and foreign minister Don Pramudwinai. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
It is expected that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation and the Agreement on the Employment of Workers will be signed during her bilateral meetings with the Thai prime minister and foreign minister Don Pramudwinai. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Wa and Mongla Armed Groups to Attend ‘Pre-Panglong’ Peace Meeting
Ethnic Wa and Mongla armed groups have agreed to participate in a political dialogue framework review meeting ahead of the “21 century Panglong” peace conference, according to a member of the government’s peace delegation.
The union peace conference is scheduled for late July. Although part of the process envisaged the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signed between the previous government and a minority of Burma’s ethnic armed groups last year, the current government has been trying to persuade NCA non-signatory groups to take part in it.
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s largest non-state armed group, and the Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), known also as the Mongla group, refused to sign the NCA. Both are based along the Chinese border in Shan State.
Khin Zaw Oo, a retired Burmese army general who is part of the government’s 21 Century Panglong Preparatory Sub-Committee 2, posted on Facebook that the UWSA and the NDAA had agreed over the weekend to join the framework review meeting. However, the armed groups themselves have yet to confirm. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
The union peace conference is scheduled for late July. Although part of the process envisaged the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signed between the previous government and a minority of Burma’s ethnic armed groups last year, the current government has been trying to persuade NCA non-signatory groups to take part in it.
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s largest non-state armed group, and the Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), known also as the Mongla group, refused to sign the NCA. Both are based along the Chinese border in Shan State.
Khin Zaw Oo, a retired Burmese army general who is part of the government’s 21 Century Panglong Preparatory Sub-Committee 2, posted on Facebook that the UWSA and the NDAA had agreed over the weekend to join the framework review meeting. However, the armed groups themselves have yet to confirm. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
US DEVELOPMENT AGENCY LOANS $250M TO AID TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The US government’s development finance agency said last week it was making its first investment in Myanmar, with a US$250 million loan to a telecoms company, Reuters reported.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation will lend the money to Yangon-based Apollo Towers Myanmar Ltd, that builds and maintains telecommunications towers, the report said.
“OPIC is pleased to be working with Apollo on this first, important investment in Burma,” Ms Elizabeth Littlefield, OPIC president and chief executive, said in a June 15 statement.
"Telecommunications are a critical part of ongoing development across the world, and through this project, OPIC is looking to have a significant impact on those who previously lacked access to telecommunications coverage in the country,” she said. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation will lend the money to Yangon-based Apollo Towers Myanmar Ltd, that builds and maintains telecommunications towers, the report said.
“OPIC is pleased to be working with Apollo on this first, important investment in Burma,” Ms Elizabeth Littlefield, OPIC president and chief executive, said in a June 15 statement.
"Telecommunications are a critical part of ongoing development across the world, and through this project, OPIC is looking to have a significant impact on those who previously lacked access to telecommunications coverage in the country,” she said. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Academic analysis in the age of reform
Strangely, this perspective is quite rare in today’s universities, where almost all social science publishing effort is devoted to high-prestige, peer-reviewed products. These certainly win kudos among other academics, but nobody else seems to care.
Instead, our highly polished publications end up locked behind fortified institutional pay-walls or priced out of reach in deluxe hardcover formats.
Even when these books and papers are accessible, they rarely relate to the immediate concerns of policymakers, journalists, officials or the ordinary taxpayer. A newspaper column, by contrast, might be read very widely and can deal with up-to-the-minute concerns. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Instead, our highly polished publications end up locked behind fortified institutional pay-walls or priced out of reach in deluxe hardcover formats.
Even when these books and papers are accessible, they rarely relate to the immediate concerns of policymakers, journalists, officials or the ordinary taxpayer. A newspaper column, by contrast, might be read very widely and can deal with up-to-the-minute concerns. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Migrating to marry
The persecution of the Rohingyas in Myanmar has driven Rohingya men from their homes in Rakhine state and compelled Rohingya women of marriageable age to follow suit.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Rohingya women from Sittwe, Buthidaung and Maungdaw in Myanmar’s Rakhine state admitted to taking the perilous boat journey across the Bay of Bengal to Bangladesh for a chance to get married.
The situation is so dire that rights activists told the Dhaka Tribune that many women volunteer to be sold off by traffickers in hope of a better life.
For most, Bangladesh is a transit point, from which they sail to Malaysia to find Rohingya partners.
Between January and April this year alone, as many as 100 Rohingya women have fled Myanmar to go to Malaysia, according to local estimates. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Rohingya women from Sittwe, Buthidaung and Maungdaw in Myanmar’s Rakhine state admitted to taking the perilous boat journey across the Bay of Bengal to Bangladesh for a chance to get married.
The situation is so dire that rights activists told the Dhaka Tribune that many women volunteer to be sold off by traffickers in hope of a better life.
For most, Bangladesh is a transit point, from which they sail to Malaysia to find Rohingya partners.
Between January and April this year alone, as many as 100 Rohingya women have fled Myanmar to go to Malaysia, according to local estimates. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
Myanmar must address ‘serious’ human rights violations against minorities – UN rights chief
Issuing a new report on the situation of minorities in Myanmar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has urged the Government to take concrete steps to end the “systemic discrimination” and ongoing human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state.
The report requested by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2015, documents a wide range of rights violations, including arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence, and limitations to political rights. It also notes that for those formally charged, fair trial guarantees are often not respected.
The report also raises the possibility that the pattern of violations against the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity. (Courtesy of un.org)
The report requested by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2015, documents a wide range of rights violations, including arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence, and limitations to political rights. It also notes that for those formally charged, fair trial guarantees are often not respected.
The report also raises the possibility that the pattern of violations against the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity. (Courtesy of un.org)
World Refugee Day: For Myanmar's refugees, India a bleak house, not home
Persecuted in their own country, members of the Rohingya and Chin communities have fled Myanmar over the course of many years. They came to India looking for a better life.
According to data from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), out of 28,000 refugees registered with it in India, around 16,341 registered refugees are from Myanmar (May 2016). This does not include those who have not been granted refugee status by the UNHCR.
However, it's not as though the communities have been accepted in India either. On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Catch explores their journey, their lives and their dreams. (Courtesy of catchnews.com)
According to data from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), out of 28,000 refugees registered with it in India, around 16,341 registered refugees are from Myanmar (May 2016). This does not include those who have not been granted refugee status by the UNHCR.
However, it's not as though the communities have been accepted in India either. On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Catch explores their journey, their lives and their dreams. (Courtesy of catchnews.com)
Myanmar's Suu Kyi reiterates stance on not using term 'Rohingya' - official
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi told the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights on Monday that the government will avoid using the term "Rohingya" to describe a persecuted Muslim minority in the country's northwest, an official said on Monday.
Also on Monday, the top U.N. human rights official issued a report saying the Rohingya have been deprived of nationality and undergone systematic discrimination and severe restrictions on movements. They have also suffered executions and torture that together may amount to crimes against humanity, the report said.
Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves by the term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The term is a divisive issue. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Also on Monday, the top U.N. human rights official issued a report saying the Rohingya have been deprived of nationality and undergone systematic discrimination and severe restrictions on movements. They have also suffered executions and torture that together may amount to crimes against humanity, the report said.
Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves by the term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The term is a divisive issue. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
DEFYING DEATH ON THE NATIONAL GRID
Under dark clouds at the edge of a deep ravine, a team of 12 workers was grappling with a rope tied to a thick electrical cable. Their working conditions were made more hazardous by light rain and a strong wind.
Despite wearing hardly any clothes, the weather did not seem to affect them. It was only six hours since Cyclone Roanu had crossed the Rakhine coast and its effects were lingering.
Words of encouragement came over the team’s walkie-talkies from colleagues monitoring their progress. “Be careful!” “Is the cable stuck?” “Can you pull it?” The words of advice and caution came as the team heaved in unison to pull the cable forward and upward to connect it to a 50-metre-high (about 165 feet) pylon, perched on top of a small hill. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Despite wearing hardly any clothes, the weather did not seem to affect them. It was only six hours since Cyclone Roanu had crossed the Rakhine coast and its effects were lingering.
Words of encouragement came over the team’s walkie-talkies from colleagues monitoring their progress. “Be careful!” “Is the cable stuck?” “Can you pull it?” The words of advice and caution came as the team heaved in unison to pull the cable forward and upward to connect it to a 50-metre-high (about 165 feet) pylon, perched on top of a small hill. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Arakan Army soldiers convicted of unlawful association
The 13 soldiers confessed in court to having connections with the Arakan Army and were found guilty of contacting an illegal organisation by the Sittwe township court on June 17. The defendant’s lawyer Daw Aye Nu Sein said there was currently no plan to appeal the verdict.
Fighting between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw first broke out in April 2015, after the ethnic armed group launched an attack on government troops in western Rakhine State. Since then sporadic clashes have continued, displacing more than 1000 civilians. Arrests under the Unlawful Association Act occur frequently in conflict zones around the country, as civilians are detained for alleged links to ethnic armed groups. More than 60 people were arrested in Rakhine State under the Unlawful Association Act in May this year. The Tatmadaw accused most of them of being members of the Arakan Army, after the ethnic armed group again clashed with government forces in Kyauktaw township a month earlier. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Fighting between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw first broke out in April 2015, after the ethnic armed group launched an attack on government troops in western Rakhine State. Since then sporadic clashes have continued, displacing more than 1000 civilians. Arrests under the Unlawful Association Act occur frequently in conflict zones around the country, as civilians are detained for alleged links to ethnic armed groups. More than 60 people were arrested in Rakhine State under the Unlawful Association Act in May this year. The Tatmadaw accused most of them of being members of the Arakan Army, after the ethnic armed group again clashed with government forces in Kyauktaw township a month earlier. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
UN rights chief urges end to discrimination in Myanmar
The U.N. human rights chief is urging Myanmar’s new government to end discrimination and human rights violations such as restrictions of movement, forced labor and sexual abuse against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities.
Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein’s office on Monday released a report sought by the U.N. Human Rights Council on Myanmar’s minorities
The 18-page report calls on the government to abolish “all discriminatory local orders” in the western Rakhine state where many Rohingya live, and immediately remove “arbitrary” requirements for travel. It urges authorities to guarantee freedom of worship. (Courtesy of washingtonpost.com)
Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein’s office on Monday released a report sought by the U.N. Human Rights Council on Myanmar’s minorities
The 18-page report calls on the government to abolish “all discriminatory local orders” in the western Rakhine state where many Rohingya live, and immediately remove “arbitrary” requirements for travel. It urges authorities to guarantee freedom of worship. (Courtesy of washingtonpost.com)
Don’t ignore Rohingya’s rights, Syed Hamid tells Asean
Former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar said Asean countries need to be more flexible in their non-interference policy, especially in tackling refugee issues.
“Asean countries respect the sovereignty and the non-interference policy adopted by member countries. Due to that, it’s a sensitive issue.
“But the spillover of refugees is no longer a domestic issue in Myanmar. It is a violation of human rights.”
He was speaking to reporters after delivering a keynote address at the UNHCR Expert roundtable discussion, titled “Employing Refugees in Malaysia: A Win-Win for All?”. (Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com)
“Asean countries respect the sovereignty and the non-interference policy adopted by member countries. Due to that, it’s a sensitive issue.
“But the spillover of refugees is no longer a domestic issue in Myanmar. It is a violation of human rights.”
He was speaking to reporters after delivering a keynote address at the UNHCR Expert roundtable discussion, titled “Employing Refugees in Malaysia: A Win-Win for All?”. (Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com)
Myanmar: Fears raised as anti-Muslim monks open school
For hundreds of years, monks have provided a valuable service to Myanmar's poor, with the country's monastic education schools granting those from underprivileged families of all religions an education they would normally be unable to afford.
However observers are concerned that a new school opened by a firebrand group of nationalist monks may be used to encourage hatred of other religions, such as Islam, rather than a straightforward adherence to Buddhism.
Talking to a local newspaper last week, nationalist monk Wirathu -- a prominent member of the Organization for Protection of Race and Religion (Ma Ba Tha) -- underlined that all monastic schools (commonly known as Ba Ka schools) and government schools should not just emphasize the teachings of the country's majority religion, but also seek to protect them. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
However observers are concerned that a new school opened by a firebrand group of nationalist monks may be used to encourage hatred of other religions, such as Islam, rather than a straightforward adherence to Buddhism.
Talking to a local newspaper last week, nationalist monk Wirathu -- a prominent member of the Organization for Protection of Race and Religion (Ma Ba Tha) -- underlined that all monastic schools (commonly known as Ba Ka schools) and government schools should not just emphasize the teachings of the country's majority religion, but also seek to protect them. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
Poppylands: Understanding Myanmar's addiction to heroin
In Myanmar, thousands of families earn a living farming the crop that feeds the heroin habit of the world's drug users. But not all of the country's opium is smuggled abroad.
Pure, cheap heroin is flooding Myanmar's villages, leaving a trail of death and devastated families in its wake.
Dr Nang Pann Ei Kham, the coordinator of the Drug Policy Advocacy Group, talks about how the fear of corporal punishment and imprisonment prevents many drug users from seeking help, and the rehabilitation centres where "treatment" is based on religious teachings.
Her pressure group includes experts, opium farmers and drug users themselves.
"They are the ones whose lives, livelihoods and health are directly affected by repressive drug policies based on criminalisation and forced eradication. Unfortunately, their voices are too often ignored," she explains. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
Pure, cheap heroin is flooding Myanmar's villages, leaving a trail of death and devastated families in its wake.
Dr Nang Pann Ei Kham, the coordinator of the Drug Policy Advocacy Group, talks about how the fear of corporal punishment and imprisonment prevents many drug users from seeking help, and the rehabilitation centres where "treatment" is based on religious teachings.
Her pressure group includes experts, opium farmers and drug users themselves.
"They are the ones whose lives, livelihoods and health are directly affected by repressive drug policies based on criminalisation and forced eradication. Unfortunately, their voices are too often ignored," she explains. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
NLD Government must prioritize rule of law and respect for human rights - ICJ
The new Government of Myanmar, led by the National League for Democracy, must establish a clear plan for strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said today, 20 June, as it released its 14 General Recommendations to the new Government and Parliament.
“The NLD has a tremendous opportunity and obligation to reverse years of official rejection and neglect of the rights of the people of Myanmar,” said Sam Zarifi, ICJ’s Asia Director.
“Myanmar’s severe human rights problems can’t be solved immediately, or even for years to come, but it’s crucial for the new Government to announce its strategy and show its commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of all people in Myanmar,” he added. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
“The NLD has a tremendous opportunity and obligation to reverse years of official rejection and neglect of the rights of the people of Myanmar,” said Sam Zarifi, ICJ’s Asia Director.
“Myanmar’s severe human rights problems can’t be solved immediately, or even for years to come, but it’s crucial for the new Government to announce its strategy and show its commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of all people in Myanmar,” he added. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Trump Campaign Manager’s Firm Turned Blind Eye to Burma Rapes
Since the Orlando shootings, Donald Trump has taken to maligning immigrants as misogynistic and touting his allegedly legendary abilities to protect women. He cherishes them, he loves to say; he will keep them safe.
But his newest big hire is a K Street veteran whose old firm once enthusiastically defended a military junta that used rape as a weapon of war—and tried to malign the reputations of the human rights’ groups that worked to protect women and girls from the military rapists.
Jim Murphy, who became Trump’s new national political director earlier this month, was a managing partner at JLM Consulting when Trump hired him. Previously, he was a managing partner at the DCI Group lobbying firm from June 2002 until June 2012. For his last four years there, according to his LinkedIn page, he was also president. The firm is famous for making fake “smokers’ rights groups” to defend Big Tobacco, and for creating an astroturf campaign in favor of Social Security privatization (a campaign that belly-flopped). (Courtesy of thedailybeast.com)
But his newest big hire is a K Street veteran whose old firm once enthusiastically defended a military junta that used rape as a weapon of war—and tried to malign the reputations of the human rights’ groups that worked to protect women and girls from the military rapists.
Jim Murphy, who became Trump’s new national political director earlier this month, was a managing partner at JLM Consulting when Trump hired him. Previously, he was a managing partner at the DCI Group lobbying firm from June 2002 until June 2012. For his last four years there, according to his LinkedIn page, he was also president. The firm is famous for making fake “smokers’ rights groups” to defend Big Tobacco, and for creating an astroturf campaign in favor of Social Security privatization (a campaign that belly-flopped). (Courtesy of thedailybeast.com)
June 20, 2016
Migrants still in limbo across South-east Asia one year after crisis
When Mr Mohammed Salim washed ashore on the coast of Aceh province in Indonesia during the South-east Asian refugee crisis last year, he was hungry, thirsty, emaciated and exhausted.
All he wanted was rice, water and to get to a safe nation. “America, Australia, anywhere,” he told me then.
When I caught up with him just over a year later, he appeared healthier and cleaner, but nowhere closer to getting somewhere. (Courtesy of todayonline.com)
All he wanted was rice, water and to get to a safe nation. “America, Australia, anywhere,” he told me then.
When I caught up with him just over a year later, he appeared healthier and cleaner, but nowhere closer to getting somewhere. (Courtesy of todayonline.com)
UN special rapporteur starts 12-day tour
The 12-day trip will be special rapporteur Yanghee Lee’s first official visit back to Myanmar since the elections took place last November and the National League for Democracy-backed government came to power in April.
“Important steps have already been taken to further democratic transition, national reconciliation, sustainable development and peace,” Ms Lee said in a statement. “I intend to make a comprehensive and objective assessment of the human rights situation taking these elements into account.” (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
“Important steps have already been taken to further democratic transition, national reconciliation, sustainable development and peace,” Ms Lee said in a statement. “I intend to make a comprehensive and objective assessment of the human rights situation taking these elements into account.” (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Iftar hosted for Rohingya refugees
Extending a helping hand to Rohingya Muslim refugees, a group of young professionals have teamed up this Ramzan to offer them iftar, serving them dishes like Haleem and Biryani during the holy month.
The group, comprising Mujtaba Askari, Khurram, Sadiq, Imran and Zeeshan, along with other volunteers, has organised two iftar parties for the refugees so far over the last two weekends, and plans to treat all the refugees with a Ramzan feast by the end of the holy month. “We are covering 150 families per week and calling them over to a community hall in that area and making arrangements for iftar followed by prayers and dinner,” said Mujtaba Askari from Helping Hand Foundation. (Courtesy of thehindu.com)
The group, comprising Mujtaba Askari, Khurram, Sadiq, Imran and Zeeshan, along with other volunteers, has organised two iftar parties for the refugees so far over the last two weekends, and plans to treat all the refugees with a Ramzan feast by the end of the holy month. “We are covering 150 families per week and calling them over to a community hall in that area and making arrangements for iftar followed by prayers and dinner,” said Mujtaba Askari from Helping Hand Foundation. (Courtesy of thehindu.com)
Apart from Sri Lankans, here are three lesser known refugees in India
Every now and then, a Syrian ship sinks on its way to safer shores and with it go down hundreds of refugees. Closer home, just a few weeks ago, a group of Sri Lankans were arrested after they tried to flee the Indian shores. With an uncertain future looming over them, refugees around the world are just about surviving but barely living. However, the subject of refugees is finally gaining some world-wide attention.
Tamil Nadu has opened its doors to Sri Lankan Tamils for decades now. But on the occasion of the World Refugees Day on Monday (June 20), Express decided to interact with lesser known refugees from other countries as well. (Courtesy of newindianexpress.com)
Tamil Nadu has opened its doors to Sri Lankan Tamils for decades now. But on the occasion of the World Refugees Day on Monday (June 20), Express decided to interact with lesser known refugees from other countries as well. (Courtesy of newindianexpress.com)
Preserving hope
The world we live in has been torn apart by wars and internal domestic conflict. The twenty-first century has seen human suffering and forced displacement, from new wars and old, in almost every corner. While armed forces battle it out, whether over lines on a map, natural resources under the ground, minor ethnic differences, or irreconcilable religious conflicts, the victims are one and the same – innocent people who lose their lives or who leave their homes behind to flee to unknown territory to pass their days in uncertainty and often in destitution.
There is now a staggering 60 million people in the world today who are forcibly displaced from their homes. Sixty million people like you and me are bereaved from their loved ones, separated from their family members, uprooted from their land and livelihoods, torn from their social fabric and tossed into the dark pit of despair. Among these suffering victims of conflict and discrimination, almost half are children, and half are female. The trauma that each refugee suffers, is an experience that we must work collectively to end, for the generations that come after us. The human race has reached unprecedented heights of material and technological development – in this age of advancement, we should unite to find a solution for those of us who continue to suffer meaningless losses. Peace and progress must be shared – only some cannot reap benefits while others suffer. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)
There is now a staggering 60 million people in the world today who are forcibly displaced from their homes. Sixty million people like you and me are bereaved from their loved ones, separated from their family members, uprooted from their land and livelihoods, torn from their social fabric and tossed into the dark pit of despair. Among these suffering victims of conflict and discrimination, almost half are children, and half are female. The trauma that each refugee suffers, is an experience that we must work collectively to end, for the generations that come after us. The human race has reached unprecedented heights of material and technological development – in this age of advancement, we should unite to find a solution for those of us who continue to suffer meaningless losses. Peace and progress must be shared – only some cannot reap benefits while others suffer. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)
Govt to brief diplomats about Rohingya census Monday
The government is going to brief foreign diplomats about the latest Rohingya situation on Monday as it concluded the first ever census on the undocumented Myanmar nationals residing in Bangladesh.
Diplomats of Europe and American countries, and Southeast Asia will join the briefing, said an official of the Foreign Ministry.
“We have concluded the census on Rohingya and it is expected that we will get the final outcome within next two to three months,” he said.
The census was conducted in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Patuakhali, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Khagrachari and Chittagong. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
Diplomats of Europe and American countries, and Southeast Asia will join the briefing, said an official of the Foreign Ministry.
“We have concluded the census on Rohingya and it is expected that we will get the final outcome within next two to three months,” he said.
The census was conducted in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Patuakhali, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Khagrachari and Chittagong. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
Rohingya boat crisis could reoccur anytime
A year after one of southeast Asia's worst refugee crises, things seem to have improved. But below the surface, the situation remains bleak.
In May 2015, the world watched in horror as human traffickers stranded thousands of people in the Bay of Bengal on rickety boats with scant supplies of food and water.
For weeks, the boats, packed to the rim with desperate people, remained at sea as country after country refused to take them in, until overwhelming international pressure and media attention forced action to be taken. (Courtesy of wptz.com)
In May 2015, the world watched in horror as human traffickers stranded thousands of people in the Bay of Bengal on rickety boats with scant supplies of food and water.
For weeks, the boats, packed to the rim with desperate people, remained at sea as country after country refused to take them in, until overwhelming international pressure and media attention forced action to be taken. (Courtesy of wptz.com)
Plight of the Rohingyas
The question on the minds of the Rohingya on World Refugee Day today is whether Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, long silent, will speak out about their plight.
Even in April this year, Suu Kyi asked the new US ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Alan Marciel, to refrain from using the term 'Rohingya' and the envoy replied that the US, as a standard practice, uses the term that a people use to refer to themselves.
But the first time she would be willing to talk about the crisis of the Muslim minority group in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, was when US Secretary John Kerry visited the country for the first time after Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy (NLD) assumed power.
The Dhaka Tribune obtained a recording of the joint press briefing held on May 22 where Suu Kyi raised the topic. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
Even in April this year, Suu Kyi asked the new US ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Alan Marciel, to refrain from using the term 'Rohingya' and the envoy replied that the US, as a standard practice, uses the term that a people use to refer to themselves.
But the first time she would be willing to talk about the crisis of the Muslim minority group in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, was when US Secretary John Kerry visited the country for the first time after Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy (NLD) assumed power.
The Dhaka Tribune obtained a recording of the joint press briefing held on May 22 where Suu Kyi raised the topic. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
OIC Holds Iftar with Local Rohingya Community in Malaysia
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in partnership with HUMANiTi Malaysia, an NGO, held an iftar to celebrate Ramadan by bringing together more than 500 members from the local Rohingya refugee community.
Rohingya children and families joined in the blessings of this holy month at the iftar event held at the Saidina Othman Ibn Affan Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, 18 June 2016.
The Director General of the OIC Cabinet and Special Advisor, Dr. Yusuf Al-Othaimeen, welcomed the guests and delivered a speech on behalf of the OIC Secretary General, Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, in support of the humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering and hardship faced by Rohingya refugees. He extended sincere thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the OIC Special Envoy for Myanmar, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar and the Organizing Committee for the Iftar. Dr Al-Othaimeen also expressed thanks to the Malaysian authorities for their support to the Rohingya people and to the OIC’s efforts to alleviate their suffering. (Courtesy of oic-oci.org)
Rohingya children and families joined in the blessings of this holy month at the iftar event held at the Saidina Othman Ibn Affan Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, 18 June 2016.
The Director General of the OIC Cabinet and Special Advisor, Dr. Yusuf Al-Othaimeen, welcomed the guests and delivered a speech on behalf of the OIC Secretary General, Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, in support of the humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering and hardship faced by Rohingya refugees. He extended sincere thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the OIC Special Envoy for Myanmar, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar and the Organizing Committee for the Iftar. Dr Al-Othaimeen also expressed thanks to the Malaysian authorities for their support to the Rohingya people and to the OIC’s efforts to alleviate their suffering. (Courtesy of oic-oci.org)
Myanmar requests ILO to open country office
Myanmar has requested the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to open a country office in the Southeast Asian country, the Confederation of the Trade Union of Myanmar (CTUM) said on Sunday. (Courtesy of daijiworld.com)
June 17, 2016
Over 100 NID holders listed as 'Myanmar citizens'
Over 100 people of 18 families in Kuakata reserve forest area have been listed as 'Myanmar citizens' although they are living in the area for decades and they have national identity (NID) cards as Bangladeshi citizens.
On June 4, men of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) distributed a slip to each family in this regard as BBS in their Rohingya census listed these people as 'Myanmar citizens'.
Protesting the matter, the families arranged a press conference at Kuakata Press Club recently. They demanded that the authorities revoke the decision immediately. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)
On June 4, men of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) distributed a slip to each family in this regard as BBS in their Rohingya census listed these people as 'Myanmar citizens'.
Protesting the matter, the families arranged a press conference at Kuakata Press Club recently. They demanded that the authorities revoke the decision immediately. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)
‘Green cards’ distributed to stateless Muslims
On top of handing out the green cards to those who are eligible, officials are counting the number of people already holding the cards. Citizenship scrutiny in line with the 1982 Citizenship Law is expected to follow after this initial step, as part of the government’s 100-day plan to conduct citizenship scrutiny nationwide.
The project was meant to start in three Muslim-majority townships on June 7, but disagreements over the cards in Ponnagyun township have obstructed verification there thus far. The cards that are handed out do not mention race or religion, and the Rohingya community in the township has reportedly refused to cooperate because they cannot self-identify. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
The project was meant to start in three Muslim-majority townships on June 7, but disagreements over the cards in Ponnagyun township have obstructed verification there thus far. The cards that are handed out do not mention race or religion, and the Rohingya community in the township has reportedly refused to cooperate because they cannot self-identify. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
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