The Rohingya Issue is More Than a Humanitarian Crisis

The ongoing religious tension fueled by extremism may become a substantial threat to Myanmar’s democracy.

With a new parliament sworn in and the date for selecting a new president fast approaching, Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is now tasked with laying the foundation for the country’s democratic development. At the heart of this challenge lies curbing religious extremism and integrating the Muslim Rohingya minority into Burmese society.

BUDDING BUDDHIST EXTREMISM

In the last few years, Buddhist extremism has gained momentum in Myanmar. Ma Ba Tha, an anti-Muslim group of Buddhist monks, in many ways surpasses its predecessor, the 969 Movement. If the 969 Movement was a loose network of anti-Muslim monks, Ma Ba Tha is a well-structured organization with regional chapters and a TV channel to broadcast its sermons. Experts in politics, law and technology offer professional assistance for the group’s activities, such as drafting bills that ban inter-religious marriage and require government approval for religious conversion, as well as fiercely lobbying until they are passed into law. Ma Ba Tha also maintains close relationships with government and military officials who attend the group’s events and openly defend hate speech against Muslims. (Courtesy of Fair Observer)

Hard-line Buddhists pressure Suu Kyi's party on Rohingya laws

Hard-line Buddhists in Myanmar have concerns that Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) government will bow to international pressure and amend the country's controversial 1982 citizenship law, opening the door for up to 1 million Muslim Rohingyas to be granted full rights.

The 1982 law says that only ethnic nationalities, and others whose families entered the country before 1823, are entitled to Myanmar's citizenship.

The current government and the Buddhist Rakhine community do not recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's official ethnic groups, instead identifying them as 'Bengali' because they are considered illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh.

Pe Than, a lower house member of parliament from the hard-line Buddhist Arakan National Party, said that the NLD-dominated parliament is likely to prioritize amending the 1982 citizenship law because of pressure from the international community and rights groups. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)

After feud, ANP scores top posts in Rakhine

U San Kyaw Hla, an MP from Ponnagyun township, was appointed Speaker, while U Phoe Min from Rathedaung township was named deputy speaker during the opening session of the new parliament. MPs said the National League for Democracy did not oppose their nomination.

The appointments reflect the sea change in political fortunes in Rakhine State where the ANP and an affiliated independent won 23 seats in the 47-member parliament, just one seat short of a majority. The NLD took nine seats while the formerly ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party holds just three. The 25 percent allocation of seats to the military gives 12 seats to Tatmadaw MPs. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)

Lower House Approves Members of Two More Standing Committees

The Lower House of Burma’s Parliament convened for its fourth day on Monday, with lawmakers approving the members of two more parliamentary standing committees.

Lower House Speaker Win Myint read the nominated candidates for two 15-member committees—the Lower House Rights Committee and the Government Guarantees, Pledges and Undertakings Vetting Committee.

Lower House Deputy Speaker T Khun Myat of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will serve as chairperson of the Rights Committee, while National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker Dr May Win Myint of Rangoon’s Mayangone constituency will assume the chairmanship of the latter body.

State and divisional parliaments also convened on Monday to select speakers and deputy speakers. Members of the NLD filled the majority of the postings, with the exception of the Arakan and Shan state legislatures. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)

US Senate Confirms New Myanmar Ambassador

The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed career Foreign Service officer Scot Alan Marciel to serve as ambassador to Myanmar.

Tuesday's 90-0 vote elevates Marciel from the post of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs, a position he assumed in 2013.

Marciel, who replaces Ambassador Derek Mitchell, has also served in Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey and Brazil. (Courtesy of VOA News)