In May 2015, three boats with more than 1800 people onboard reached Aceh after a long, hazardous trip. Although the Indonesian navy had tried to prevent at least one boat from landing by first equipping it with fuel and food and then forcing it back out to sea, eventually these people were allowed to come on land. Not least, because Acehnese fishermen had ignored the military’s orders and rescued many of these desperate people. Following a trilateral crisis meeting of the foreign ministers of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, the latter two promised to provide the Rohingya boat people with shelter for up to a year, provided that all costs would be covered by external agencies and the Rohingya would be resettled to third countries in the meantime, a stipulation impossible to meet.
Rohingya count as one of the most persecuted ethnic minorities in Asia, as they do not have citizen rights in their home country of Myanmar. Political and religious persecution, but also extreme poverty, drive them across the borders into Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia, the latter is the most sought after destination country as Rohingya can find work there. Indonesia is not just a transit country for the Rohingya, but for displaced people from more than 40 countries in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. As a non-signatory of the Refugee Convention, Indonesia has no obligation to accept asylum seekers and integrate recognised refugees, but based on humanitarian considerations it respects and protects the human rights of those who stay temporarily and thus provides some form of accommodation and basic care for asylum seekers and refugees. (Courtesy of Courtesy of Inside Indonesia)
March 15, 2016
Myanmar parliament elects first civilian president in decades
Myanmar's parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as the next president, the first civilian to lead the country after more than 50 years of military rule.
Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.
He beat another NLD candidate and one put forward by the military.
Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post due to a constitutional clause, but has said she would be above the president. (Courtesy of BBC)
Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.
He beat another NLD candidate and one put forward by the military.
Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the post due to a constitutional clause, but has said she would be above the president. (Courtesy of BBC)
David I. Steinberg: Myanmar civil society -- new politics, new rules?
In much of the Western world, civil society is considered an important antidote, even a panacea, to societal woes. These non-profit organizations -- often portraying themselves as apolitical -- bring people together, help to redeem governments gone astray, act as watchdogs against waste and maleficence, and are ideally the "thousand points of light," as President George H.W. Bush once put it, in the darkness of social troubles.
In the early 19th century, the French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville wrote of them as a unique and positive American phenomenon. Most recently, President Barack Obama lauded their potential during his summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in California in February. In a sense, these organizations are the "monitors" of democratic governance. But increasingly, they are being treated unrealistically as a critical element in, or even potential savior of, the democratization processes -- as if they were the U.S. cavalry coming to the rescue of beleaguered settlers in some American B-movie. (Courtesy of Nikkei Asian Review)
In the early 19th century, the French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville wrote of them as a unique and positive American phenomenon. Most recently, President Barack Obama lauded their potential during his summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in California in February. In a sense, these organizations are the "monitors" of democratic governance. But increasingly, they are being treated unrealistically as a critical element in, or even potential savior of, the democratization processes -- as if they were the U.S. cavalry coming to the rescue of beleaguered settlers in some American B-movie. (Courtesy of Nikkei Asian Review)
Myanmar army releases 46 underage recruits: U.N.
Myanmar's military released 46 children and young people from service, the United Nations said in a statement on Monday, in its first discharge of underage recruits this year.
The army has released 745 underage recruits since signing up to a joint action plan with the U.N. in June 2012 to end the use of children in the military.
Human rights groups have long accused Myanmar's military of abuses such as using child soldiers, forcibly recruiting conscripts and confiscating land. (Courtesy of Reuters)
The army has released 745 underage recruits since signing up to a joint action plan with the U.N. in June 2012 to end the use of children in the military.
Human rights groups have long accused Myanmar's military of abuses such as using child soldiers, forcibly recruiting conscripts and confiscating land. (Courtesy of Reuters)
Some government bodies have no regard for our commission
The Myanmar Human Rights Commission was set up in September 2011 by appointment of President Thein Sein as part of the sweeping democratic reforms his quasi-civilian government initiated in Myanmar following decades of army rule.
Khine Khine Win joined the 11-member commission as a director in 2014, and part of her job responsibilities include raising awareness of the commission and arranging human rights trainings for the government and army officials.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Myanmar and a doctorate degree in agronomy from Japan’s Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Prior to joining the commission, the 41-year-old worked at the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. Recently, she visited Myanmar Now’s office for an interview. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Khine Khine Win joined the 11-member commission as a director in 2014, and part of her job responsibilities include raising awareness of the commission and arranging human rights trainings for the government and army officials.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Myanmar and a doctorate degree in agronomy from Japan’s Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Prior to joining the commission, the 41-year-old worked at the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. Recently, she visited Myanmar Now’s office for an interview. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Myint Swe VP pick prompts public backlash
Myanmar's army sparked public criticism Saturday after it nominated a retired general still blacklisted by the United States to be vice president of the country's first civilian government in decades.
Hardliner Myint Swe, 64, is seen as a close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe and comes from a military establishment that pummelled the Southeast Asian country into poverty under decades of isolationist rule.
A parliament dominated by Aung Sang Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy is days away from confirming a president after sweeping to power in November elections, but the still-strong army has the right to nominate a candidate.
Though the NLD's nominee Htin Kyaw is all but guaranteed to clinch the top post, the army's Myint Swe would still become one of two vice presidents.
Social media sites and comment boards were flooded with criticism after his nomination was announced, with many expressing regret over the military's continuing political influence. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Hardliner Myint Swe, 64, is seen as a close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe and comes from a military establishment that pummelled the Southeast Asian country into poverty under decades of isolationist rule.
A parliament dominated by Aung Sang Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy is days away from confirming a president after sweeping to power in November elections, but the still-strong army has the right to nominate a candidate.
Though the NLD's nominee Htin Kyaw is all but guaranteed to clinch the top post, the army's Myint Swe would still become one of two vice presidents.
Social media sites and comment boards were flooded with criticism after his nomination was announced, with many expressing regret over the military's continuing political influence. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Presidential result won’t fulfil people’s wishes: prominent monk
The desires of the majority of the country – to see the democracy icon as president – have not been heeded, according to U Parmaukkha, a Ma Ba Tha central executive committee member.
The issue of constitutional reform to enable the National League for Democracy leader to become president sent seismic rifts through the nationalist Buddhist lobby.
The Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, known by its Myanmar-language acronym Ma Ba Tha, officially said it would remain neutral on the subject. However, that did not stop leading members from taking a side.
U Parmaukkha has previously spoken in support of a Daw Aung San Suu Kyi presidency, and even suggested that amending the constitution clause that bars her would be justifiable considering her popular backing. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The issue of constitutional reform to enable the National League for Democracy leader to become president sent seismic rifts through the nationalist Buddhist lobby.
The Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, known by its Myanmar-language acronym Ma Ba Tha, officially said it would remain neutral on the subject. However, that did not stop leading members from taking a side.
U Parmaukkha has previously spoken in support of a Daw Aung San Suu Kyi presidency, and even suggested that amending the constitution clause that bars her would be justifiable considering her popular backing. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Top secret no longer: Currency designer reveals hidden art
The artists who designed the nation’s currency painted the treasure of the entire nation. But until recently, hardly anybody knew who they were.
U Aye Myint, now 86, was the man who put Bogyoke Aung San in the nation’s pockets and purses. With his team, he designed the K25 and K1 notes released in 1972 and the K5 and K10 notes that came out the following year.
U Aye Myint, trained in the traditional design skills of Myanmar, worked in the Security Printing Works in Wazi, Chauk township. The printing agency was established in 1972 with technical direction from the German firm Giesecke & Devrient. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
U Aye Myint, now 86, was the man who put Bogyoke Aung San in the nation’s pockets and purses. With his team, he designed the K25 and K1 notes released in 1972 and the K5 and K10 notes that came out the following year.
U Aye Myint, trained in the traditional design skills of Myanmar, worked in the Security Printing Works in Wazi, Chauk township. The printing agency was established in 1972 with technical direction from the German firm Giesecke & Devrient. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Universities in a democratic Myanmar
Given her background and interests, this makes complete sense. It is her Oxford education that she credits with a broad-minded “respect for the best in human civilisation”.
As a result, she is at home in scholarly circles. During the 1970s and 1980s, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s life outside Burma had a distinctively academic tone.
Then, from 1988 onward, university staff and students were counted among her most ardent supporters, both at home and abroad. The National League for Democracy draws much of its activist strength from its association with Myanmar’s long history of student agitation. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
As a result, she is at home in scholarly circles. During the 1970s and 1980s, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s life outside Burma had a distinctively academic tone.
Then, from 1988 onward, university staff and students were counted among her most ardent supporters, both at home and abroad. The National League for Democracy draws much of its activist strength from its association with Myanmar’s long history of student agitation. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Thailand demands catch certificates from Myanmar fishermen
The EU now requires Thailand – a major global supplier of seafood – to prove where its fish have been caught when exporting internationally, said industry insiders, after a number of serious abuses were uncovered including forced labour and violence.
Catch certificates should help to combat illegal fishing and ensure the security of workers, said U Sein Thaung, deputy director of the Department of Fisheries in MyeIk district.
Thailand has been warned twice by the EU to crack down on illegal fishing or face a trade ban on seafood imports. An EU embargo could also forbid European ships from fishing in Thailand’s seas.
To try to avoid this, Thailand is making serious efforts at reform, and now requires Myanmar suppliers to provide certification, said U San Maung, a director at Myeik Public Corporation. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Catch certificates should help to combat illegal fishing and ensure the security of workers, said U Sein Thaung, deputy director of the Department of Fisheries in MyeIk district.
Thailand has been warned twice by the EU to crack down on illegal fishing or face a trade ban on seafood imports. An EU embargo could also forbid European ships from fishing in Thailand’s seas.
To try to avoid this, Thailand is making serious efforts at reform, and now requires Myanmar suppliers to provide certification, said U San Maung, a director at Myeik Public Corporation. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
ANP expels six senior officials in rift
Analysts in Sittwe, capital of Rakhine State and an ANP stronghold, said the expulsions would result in a more hard-line approach towards the NLD but risked splitting the party, which was formed as a merger of two rival groups two years ago.
The expulsion decision followed an urgent closed-door meeting of its central committee held in Pann Nilar village outside Sittwe on March 12.
The crisis was prompted by a press conference held in Yangon on March 6 in which members of the former Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), which merged with the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) to form the ANP, announced that they would not support the party policy of opposing the NLD. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The expulsion decision followed an urgent closed-door meeting of its central committee held in Pann Nilar village outside Sittwe on March 12.
The crisis was prompted by a press conference held in Yangon on March 6 in which members of the former Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), which merged with the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) to form the ANP, announced that they would not support the party policy of opposing the NLD. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Family from Myanmar become Hamilton citizens
When Min Aung fled his country with his family he left behind some memories he didn't want to dwell on.
So he's kept busy since settling in Hamilton about five-and-a-half years ago.
And on Monday, the Aung family from Myanmar officially became New Zealand citizens at a Hamilton City Council's Civic Reception Lounge.
"New Zealand saved our life," Aung said. (Courtesy of Stuff.co.nz)
So he's kept busy since settling in Hamilton about five-and-a-half years ago.
And on Monday, the Aung family from Myanmar officially became New Zealand citizens at a Hamilton City Council's Civic Reception Lounge.
"New Zealand saved our life," Aung said. (Courtesy of Stuff.co.nz)
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