Nationalist monks forced three Muslim vendors out of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda on Saturday in a row over selling goods near the religious site.
Members of the Patriotic Monks Union seized products worth hundreds of dollars from the men, who sold belts, pots and mobile phone accessories, before violently kicking them out of the pagoda.
“They hit my face and attacked [with] knee and took me into the monastery for a beating,” Ye Ko Ko, one of the vendors, told Myanmar Muslim Media. (Courtesy of Coconuts Yangon)
April 19, 2016
Myanmar's Suu Kyi vows to include ethnic groups in 'democratic federal union'
Aung San Suu Kyi, whose post as Myanmar state counselor makes her de facto head of state, vowed on Monday to build a democratic federal union including ethnic minorities, but did not mention any group by name.
The address by the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, marking Myanmar's New year, followed a U.S. government agency call on Myanmar to end discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities and do away with abusive policies against the mostly stateless Rohingya.
The country has been plagued by insurgencies by ethnic minority groups since independence from Britain in 1948.
The Rohingya are widely maligned in Myanmar, where they are seen as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh - including by some in Suu Kyi's party. Myanmar has denied discrimination against the 1.1 million Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions. (Courtesy of Reuters)
The address by the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, marking Myanmar's New year, followed a U.S. government agency call on Myanmar to end discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities and do away with abusive policies against the mostly stateless Rohingya.
The country has been plagued by insurgencies by ethnic minority groups since independence from Britain in 1948.
The Rohingya are widely maligned in Myanmar, where they are seen as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh - including by some in Suu Kyi's party. Myanmar has denied discrimination against the 1.1 million Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions. (Courtesy of Reuters)
MAUNG MAUNG OHN: 'CONFLICTS LIKE 2012 SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN'
Former general and deputy minister for Home Affairs, U Maung Maung Ohn, was appointed Chief Minister of Rakhine State in 2014, replacing U Hla Maung. Although the Arakan National Party won a majority of seats in the Rakhine assembly last November, the National League for Democracy appointed as chief minister, the chair of its state branch, U Nyi Pu, an ethnic Rakhine.
In an interview with Frontier at his Yangon home on March 26, Maung Maung Ohn discussed the political tensions in Rakhine and the likely challenges facing his successor, U Nyi Pu.
What is your opinion about the power-sharing situation in the new Rakhine State government?
The people need to be open-minded and not take sides related to party politics. The issues in Rakhine are very sensitive and differ from those of other states and regions, which can be solved locally. The problem of the Bengalis [the official term for Rohingya Muslims, because the previous government asserted they were illegal immigrants from Bangladesh] involves connecting with the international and the local communities, so it is different.
When they form the Rakhine cabinet, they must consider the Bengali community, the Rakhine community, the international community, the Union government and the Arakan Army. The Rakhine cabinet will need to be flexible to deal with these communities. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
In an interview with Frontier at his Yangon home on March 26, Maung Maung Ohn discussed the political tensions in Rakhine and the likely challenges facing his successor, U Nyi Pu.
What is your opinion about the power-sharing situation in the new Rakhine State government?
The people need to be open-minded and not take sides related to party politics. The issues in Rakhine are very sensitive and differ from those of other states and regions, which can be solved locally. The problem of the Bengalis [the official term for Rohingya Muslims, because the previous government asserted they were illegal immigrants from Bangladesh] involves connecting with the international and the local communities, so it is different.
When they form the Rakhine cabinet, they must consider the Bengali community, the Rakhine community, the international community, the Union government and the Arakan Army. The Rakhine cabinet will need to be flexible to deal with these communities. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Myanmar state counselor reiterates abiding by NLD policies in ruling country
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said on Monday that the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led new government will start to construct new good things for a change beginning from the new year while abiding by NLD's policies and principles.
Suu Kyi reiterated NLD's policies and principles to ensure national reconciliation, internal peace, rule of law, amendment to the constitution and keeping the democratic system dynamic and well ingrained.
In her message on the occasion of Myanmar traditional new year after five days' water festival and her successful eyes operation, Aung San Suu Kyi insisted that a democratically elected government is responsible for all citizens, being fair and square to everybody, harboring loving kindness and compassion towards all. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
Suu Kyi reiterated NLD's policies and principles to ensure national reconciliation, internal peace, rule of law, amendment to the constitution and keeping the democratic system dynamic and well ingrained.
In her message on the occasion of Myanmar traditional new year after five days' water festival and her successful eyes operation, Aung San Suu Kyi insisted that a democratically elected government is responsible for all citizens, being fair and square to everybody, harboring loving kindness and compassion towards all. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
Myanmar nurse jailed 1 year for attack on patient
A nurse from Myanmar was sentenced to a year's jail yesterday for attacking a defenceless patient at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in February last year.
Aung Phyo Thu, 26, admitted to causing grievous hurt to Mr Kong Ah Hoe, 56, a long-term patient who has schizophrenia.
Thu was convicted of punching and kicking him multiple times, causing two rib fractures, on Feb 17 last year.
Mr Kong, who was restrained to the bed, had multiple medical conditions and difficulties communicating, the court heard. He even needs help to move around.
Investigations showed that Thu, who had been on night duty, woke up to a commotion caused by Mr Kong trying to get out of bed at about 5.55 am that day. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Aung Phyo Thu, 26, admitted to causing grievous hurt to Mr Kong Ah Hoe, 56, a long-term patient who has schizophrenia.
Thu was convicted of punching and kicking him multiple times, causing two rib fractures, on Feb 17 last year.
Mr Kong, who was restrained to the bed, had multiple medical conditions and difficulties communicating, the court heard. He even needs help to move around.
Investigations showed that Thu, who had been on night duty, woke up to a commotion caused by Mr Kong trying to get out of bed at about 5.55 am that day. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
How to develop sustainable waterways in Myanmar
Access to water is crucial. For riverine communities, in particular, access to waterways is vital for every aspect of life, from food security to trade and navigation. With 10 river basins with a combined surface water potential of 1,000 cubic kilometers, Myanmar’s waterways are a lifeline for the communities that rely on them. At the same time, they are attractive to investors due to their huge combined 100-gigawatt hydropower potential, the region’s highest.
Foreign aid agencies are knocking on the door of Myanmar’s government, industries and community organizations. The recent surge in development aid pouring into Myanmar saw a nearly 800 percent increase in 2013 from 2012, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Companies are also queuing up to invest; many of which are interested in developing Myanmar’s water resources.
International organizations want to help Myanmar eradicate poverty; and the private sector wants to build industry that will develop the economy and connect the country to the region. With limited policy and regulation, how can the private and public sectors work together better to help secure the investments Myanmar needs develop its waterways, and in doing so, eradicate poverty and set new standards? (Courtesy of devex.com)
Foreign aid agencies are knocking on the door of Myanmar’s government, industries and community organizations. The recent surge in development aid pouring into Myanmar saw a nearly 800 percent increase in 2013 from 2012, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Companies are also queuing up to invest; many of which are interested in developing Myanmar’s water resources.
International organizations want to help Myanmar eradicate poverty; and the private sector wants to build industry that will develop the economy and connect the country to the region. With limited policy and regulation, how can the private and public sectors work together better to help secure the investments Myanmar needs develop its waterways, and in doing so, eradicate poverty and set new standards? (Courtesy of devex.com)
It's way past time to stop mistreating Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar
There are more refugees and displaced people today, driven from their home by war, persecution, poverty, and climate change, than at any time since World War II. In America, perhaps, it is the Syrian refugee crisis that earns the most attention. But there is another crisis which also speaks deeply to the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and to the Muslim world: the plight of the Rohingya.
The Rohingya are the indigenous people of southwestern Myanmar, or so-called Rakhine State. For years now, they have taken to overcrowded and leaky boats on the open sea, submitted to dangerous human trafficking networks, and seen their families split apart in a desperate bid to find safety somewhere, anywhere. Like many of the world’s refugees, they are Muslim.
But Myanmar is not Syria, torn apart by civil war. Last year, Myanmar’s economy was the fastest-growing in the world. Myanmar is entering a widely heralded new era of democracy, under the direction of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Some of the praise she and her country receive is deserved. But much of it overlooks the unacceptable treatment of her Muslim citizens, who have suffered an ongoing and accelerating process of "otherization" and dehumanization that is deeply frightening to watch. (Courtesy of latimes.com)
The Rohingya are the indigenous people of southwestern Myanmar, or so-called Rakhine State. For years now, they have taken to overcrowded and leaky boats on the open sea, submitted to dangerous human trafficking networks, and seen their families split apart in a desperate bid to find safety somewhere, anywhere. Like many of the world’s refugees, they are Muslim.
But Myanmar is not Syria, torn apart by civil war. Last year, Myanmar’s economy was the fastest-growing in the world. Myanmar is entering a widely heralded new era of democracy, under the direction of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Some of the praise she and her country receive is deserved. But much of it overlooks the unacceptable treatment of her Muslim citizens, who have suffered an ongoing and accelerating process of "otherization" and dehumanization that is deeply frightening to watch. (Courtesy of latimes.com)
36 killed during Myanmar's water festival
During the five-day water festival, 14 people were killed and 235 injured in accidents while 17 deaths were registered in other cases, Xinhua news agency reported.
A total of three murders also were reported during the festival, according to Myanmar Police.
The Yangon region saw a decrease in the number of cases related to the festival since last year, and police thanks the people for it. (Courtesy of newkerala.com)
A total of three murders also were reported during the festival, according to Myanmar Police.
The Yangon region saw a decrease in the number of cases related to the festival since last year, and police thanks the people for it. (Courtesy of newkerala.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)