The AIIB has not yet begun talks with the new government, but Jin Liqun intends to travel to Myanmar to start investigating initiatives for the bank to work on before the year is out, he said on the sidelines of the annual Asian Development Bank meeting in Frankfurt.
Mr Jin said the new development bank, which started operations earlier this year, would identify a batch of potential projects across its member states at its third board meeting in June, but had not yet considered how to balance operations across different countries, regions or sectors.
“We will process the projects that are ready and bankable, so countries that have those [types of] projects would be the best candidates,” he said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
May 5, 2016
HRW Letter to President U Htin Kyaw
Dear President U Htin Kyaw,
We congratulate you on becoming Myanmar’s first civilian president appointed by a democratically elected parliament since 1962. We respect the sacrifices that you, National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and millions of people in Myanmar have made in ending repressive military rule in the country.
Human Rights Watch is a nongovernmental organization that monitors and reports on human rights in over 90 countries around the world. We have documented the human rights situation and advocated for the promotion and protection of human rights in Myanmar for more than 25 years. (Courtesy of Human Rights Watch)
We congratulate you on becoming Myanmar’s first civilian president appointed by a democratically elected parliament since 1962. We respect the sacrifices that you, National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and millions of people in Myanmar have made in ending repressive military rule in the country.
Human Rights Watch is a nongovernmental organization that monitors and reports on human rights in over 90 countries around the world. We have documented the human rights situation and advocated for the promotion and protection of human rights in Myanmar for more than 25 years. (Courtesy of Human Rights Watch)
Investing in women key to a sustainable future for all
If we want real progress and prosperity for all human beings we need to invest in girls and women. A huge untapped potential lies with girls and women. This spring, the largest global conference on women and girls’ rights, health and well-being will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
On 16-19 May 2016, Denmark will host the Millennium’s to date largest conference on the health, rights and well-being of girls and women, Women Deliver’s 4th Global Conference. More than 5000 people – world leaders, academics, policy makers, activists, media, royalty, civil society and private sector representatives – are expected to gather in Copenhagen. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
On 16-19 May 2016, Denmark will host the Millennium’s to date largest conference on the health, rights and well-being of girls and women, Women Deliver’s 4th Global Conference. More than 5000 people – world leaders, academics, policy makers, activists, media, royalty, civil society and private sector representatives – are expected to gather in Copenhagen. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Free trade with Myanmar
The Foreign Relations Committee of Myanmar’s parliament has announced that Myanmar wants to improve relations with Bangladesh and take steps to remove all barriers.
It is an important signal of change by the new Myanmar government and bodes well for both our nations.
As neighbours with fast growing economies reaching out for foreign investment, Bangladesh and Myanmar have much in common, and much to gain by increasing peaceful and friendly co-operation.
This is also vital to help bring about a peaceful restoration of rights for people from Rohingya minorities in Myanmar who have sought refuge in Bangladesh.
Improving relations and geographical proximity offer huge scope to grow bilateral trade and investment as Bangladesh’s trade with Myanmar is still tiny compared to other nations. (Courtesy of Dhaka Tribune)
It is an important signal of change by the new Myanmar government and bodes well for both our nations.
As neighbours with fast growing economies reaching out for foreign investment, Bangladesh and Myanmar have much in common, and much to gain by increasing peaceful and friendly co-operation.
This is also vital to help bring about a peaceful restoration of rights for people from Rohingya minorities in Myanmar who have sought refuge in Bangladesh.
Improving relations and geographical proximity offer huge scope to grow bilateral trade and investment as Bangladesh’s trade with Myanmar is still tiny compared to other nations. (Courtesy of Dhaka Tribune)
Call on Myanmar, Bangladesh, India to conserve hilsa
Bangladesh, India and Myanmar must work together for better conservation, production and management of hilsa, as they produce more than 90 percent of global production, said officials at a regional seminar in Dhaka yesterday.
Bangladesh alone produces 60 percent, India 20 percent and Myanmar 15 percent of total hilsa in the world, they added.
There must be a proper trans-boundary unique management system involving the governments concerned for conservation of hilsa spawning; otherwise production cannot be boosted up, they observed at the first day of a two-day regional seminar. (Courtesy of The Daily Star)
Bangladesh alone produces 60 percent, India 20 percent and Myanmar 15 percent of total hilsa in the world, they added.
There must be a proper trans-boundary unique management system involving the governments concerned for conservation of hilsa spawning; otherwise production cannot be boosted up, they observed at the first day of a two-day regional seminar. (Courtesy of The Daily Star)
Indian separatist leader gives interview in Myanmar
The military wing chief of the Indian separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Paresh Barua has given a long interview to a TV channel in the country's northeastern state of Assam somewhere in a hotel in Hkamti Township in Sagaing Division.
The Newslive channel clearly mentioned in its multiple broadcasts of the interview that it was recorded in Hkmati Township.
"That raises the question about how a wanted terrorist in India can so freely move around in a town in Myanmar," said former Defence Intelligence Agency Major General Gaganjit Singh. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
The Newslive channel clearly mentioned in its multiple broadcasts of the interview that it was recorded in Hkmati Township.
"That raises the question about how a wanted terrorist in India can so freely move around in a town in Myanmar," said former Defence Intelligence Agency Major General Gaganjit Singh. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
The Rohingya and Suu Kyi’s Myanmar
The ballot held in Myanmar last November brought the first fair and peaceful transition of power seen by the country since the military seized power in 1962. Wracked by numerous insurgencies waged by separatists, social problems resulting from the large domestic drug trade, and anti-Muslim pogroms in the west staged by ultranationalist Buddhist monks, the victory of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is one of the few positive developments Myanmar has seen in recent decades.
The previous three elections held in Myanmar since the NLD’s founding, in 1990, 2010 and 2012, saw it either excluded from participation or its victories reversed by the military, leaving many in Myanmar and the international community with little hope of seeing a clear and uninterrupted transfer of power in the country.
This time, the NLD won an overwhelming victory, ending the pro-military Union for Solidarity and Development Party’s (USDP) domination of the country. It was the culmination of efforts over half a century to return to civilian government. The NLD secured an absolute majority in the landslide elections and gained enough seats in the upper and lower houses of parliament to overcome the mandatory 25 percent guaranteed to the army, allowing them to install NLD member and Suu Kyi confidant Htin Kyaw as the new president on March 30. (Suu Kyi was barred from holding office herself due to a constitutional clause restricting anyone married to a foreigner or having foreign children assuming the presidency, a policy created by the army and believed by many to specifically target her because of her marriage to the late David Aris and their two sons, all three being British citizens.) (Courtesy of The Diplomat)
The previous three elections held in Myanmar since the NLD’s founding, in 1990, 2010 and 2012, saw it either excluded from participation or its victories reversed by the military, leaving many in Myanmar and the international community with little hope of seeing a clear and uninterrupted transfer of power in the country.
This time, the NLD won an overwhelming victory, ending the pro-military Union for Solidarity and Development Party’s (USDP) domination of the country. It was the culmination of efforts over half a century to return to civilian government. The NLD secured an absolute majority in the landslide elections and gained enough seats in the upper and lower houses of parliament to overcome the mandatory 25 percent guaranteed to the army, allowing them to install NLD member and Suu Kyi confidant Htin Kyaw as the new president on March 30. (Suu Kyi was barred from holding office herself due to a constitutional clause restricting anyone married to a foreigner or having foreign children assuming the presidency, a policy created by the army and believed by many to specifically target her because of her marriage to the late David Aris and their two sons, all three being British citizens.) (Courtesy of The Diplomat)
Myanmar Buddhist Monk Erects Another Pagoda on Disputed Land
A Buddhist monk and 300 of his supporters erected a pagoda on Monday on the grounds of an Anglican church in eastern Myanmar’s Karen state, adding to religious tensions in the area, a local Anglican bishop said.
Influential monk Myaing Kyee Ngu, also known as U Thuzana, who has been building pagodas—also called stupas—near churches and mosques in the state, erected another dome-shaped Buddhist shrine at St. Mark Anglican church in Kondawgyi village of Hlaingbwe township.
“About 300 people, including Myaing Kyee Ngu and other monks, came to the church grounds and cleared the trees last night and built the second pagoda today,” said Anglican Bishop Saw Stylo, who oversees Karen state and neighboring regions.
The monk, who is spiritual adviser to an armed ethnic Karen group, built his first pagoda on the church property on April 23 despite objections by religious authorities.
He has also built pagodas on church compounds in Hpa-an township and near a mosque in Mya Pyi village, prompting many people to condemn his actions on social media, according to the online journal The Irrawaddy. (Courtesy of RFA)
Influential monk Myaing Kyee Ngu, also known as U Thuzana, who has been building pagodas—also called stupas—near churches and mosques in the state, erected another dome-shaped Buddhist shrine at St. Mark Anglican church in Kondawgyi village of Hlaingbwe township.
“About 300 people, including Myaing Kyee Ngu and other monks, came to the church grounds and cleared the trees last night and built the second pagoda today,” said Anglican Bishop Saw Stylo, who oversees Karen state and neighboring regions.
The monk, who is spiritual adviser to an armed ethnic Karen group, built his first pagoda on the church property on April 23 despite objections by religious authorities.
He has also built pagodas on church compounds in Hpa-an township and near a mosque in Mya Pyi village, prompting many people to condemn his actions on social media, according to the online journal The Irrawaddy. (Courtesy of RFA)
A Myanmar Facebook user may face charge
A petition has been filed against nationalist firebrand Nay Myo Wai under the Telecommunications Law for posting derogatory remarks against state leaders and the National League for Democracy on his Facebook page.
The petition was filed by Wai Yan Aung from the All Myanmar Federation of Teachers at Kangyidaunk Myoma Police Station in Ayeyawady Region on May 2.
"I filed the petition against Nay Myo Wai, chairman of the Peace and Diversity Party, for his defamatory posts against the president, the state counsellor and the commander-in-chief of defence services. Among his posts, 15 are the worst. I’m doing this as an attempt to prevent both him and other instigators from disintegrating the union," said Wai Yan Aung. (Courtesy of The Nation)
The petition was filed by Wai Yan Aung from the All Myanmar Federation of Teachers at Kangyidaunk Myoma Police Station in Ayeyawady Region on May 2.
"I filed the petition against Nay Myo Wai, chairman of the Peace and Diversity Party, for his defamatory posts against the president, the state counsellor and the commander-in-chief of defence services. Among his posts, 15 are the worst. I’m doing this as an attempt to prevent both him and other instigators from disintegrating the union," said Wai Yan Aung. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Adventures in the bone cave
The steep, treacherous climb up the hill overlooking Parte village in Chin State offers striking views of the surrounding green mountains, terraced farms below and the craggy peak above.
Trees and saplings cling to the sparse hillside and, here and there, a piece of human bone or a fragment of skull pokes out from among the short, thick grass.
At the peak, piles of bones spill from the entrance of a small cave and litter the ground. Jawbones, hip joints, sections of spinal columns and ribs lie in a chaotic mix under the burning sun.
The remains are from bodies left until just a few decades ago, before the village converted to Christianity at the end of World War Two, villagers say. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Trees and saplings cling to the sparse hillside and, here and there, a piece of human bone or a fragment of skull pokes out from among the short, thick grass.
At the peak, piles of bones spill from the entrance of a small cave and litter the ground. Jawbones, hip joints, sections of spinal columns and ribs lie in a chaotic mix under the burning sun.
The remains are from bodies left until just a few decades ago, before the village converted to Christianity at the end of World War Two, villagers say. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Still waiting for change in Chin State
It is only about 80 miles from Kale in Sagaing Region to Falam in poor, mountainous Chin State, but the journey takes at least six hours, more if roadworks cause delays, which are common.
Six hours is a big improvement on previous years, said Salai Thawn Lian Than, a civil society leader and youth pastor at the Gospel Baptist Church Church in Falam, a picturesque town about 20 miles north of the state capital, Hakha.
“You would often have to stop somewhere to sleep on the way,” he said, adding that improvements to the road had begun after the change of government in 2011.
Apart from upgrading the road, the changes that have brought improvements to much of the rest of the country since 2011 have barely affected Chin, the poorest and least developed of the nation’s 14 states and regions.
The poverty and lack of development are underscored by data from the 2014 census. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Six hours is a big improvement on previous years, said Salai Thawn Lian Than, a civil society leader and youth pastor at the Gospel Baptist Church Church in Falam, a picturesque town about 20 miles north of the state capital, Hakha.
“You would often have to stop somewhere to sleep on the way,” he said, adding that improvements to the road had begun after the change of government in 2011.
Apart from upgrading the road, the changes that have brought improvements to much of the rest of the country since 2011 have barely affected Chin, the poorest and least developed of the nation’s 14 states and regions.
The poverty and lack of development are underscored by data from the 2014 census. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Myanmar Wants US to Stop Referring to 'Rohingya'
Myanmar wants the U.S. Embassy to stop using the term “Rohingya,” when referring to the country’s unrecognized ethnic minority, a government official told VOA Wednesday.
“We will be happy if the embassy refrains from using this term,” said Aung Lin, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Continued use of the word “will not be helpful to us,” he added.
The official said, however, that the ministry on Tuesday made no formal request to the embassy about the terminology.
An embassy spokesman in Yangon, who did not want to be named, told VOA, “We do not comment on our diplomatic discussions with the government.” (Courtesy of VOA News)
“We will be happy if the embassy refrains from using this term,” said Aung Lin, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Continued use of the word “will not be helpful to us,” he added.
The official said, however, that the ministry on Tuesday made no formal request to the embassy about the terminology.
An embassy spokesman in Yangon, who did not want to be named, told VOA, “We do not comment on our diplomatic discussions with the government.” (Courtesy of VOA News)
Burma: Rights Priorities for New Government
Burma’s new government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD) should signal human rights are a top priority by presenting a plan of action to begin long-needed reforms, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to new president Htin Kyaw.
“The NLD-led government has already set the right tone by releasing many political prisoners and dropping charges against hundreds of activists,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “But many difficult problems remain, tied to issues such as minority rights, land disputes, and freedom of expression, which require a clear and specific plan of action to tackle successfully.”
The NLD won a landslide victory in the November 8, 2015 elections, but faces serious structural impediments to instituting reforms. These include the deeply flawed 2008 constitution, which allows the military to maintain significant control over the civilian government. The military still controls the Defense, Home Affairs, and Border Affairs Ministries, and is empowered to dismiss the government. It also has a quota of 25 percent of seats in parliament. (Courtesy of Human Rights Watch)
“The NLD-led government has already set the right tone by releasing many political prisoners and dropping charges against hundreds of activists,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “But many difficult problems remain, tied to issues such as minority rights, land disputes, and freedom of expression, which require a clear and specific plan of action to tackle successfully.”
The NLD won a landslide victory in the November 8, 2015 elections, but faces serious structural impediments to instituting reforms. These include the deeply flawed 2008 constitution, which allows the military to maintain significant control over the civilian government. The military still controls the Defense, Home Affairs, and Border Affairs Ministries, and is empowered to dismiss the government. It also has a quota of 25 percent of seats in parliament. (Courtesy of Human Rights Watch)
No Quick Return for Border Refugees Despite High Hopes for NLD Era
The repatriation of some 120,000 refugees along the Thai-Burma border was discussed during a meeting of stakeholders last week, but an official from the United Nations’ refugee agency insists there remains no firm timetable on a large-scale return of the displaced despite talks on the matter between Burma’s new government and its Thai counterpart.
“The main focus of the meeting was on refugee registration and resettlement [to third-party countries], which is winding down after 11 years. The subject of voluntary return was not on the agenda but was prompted by a question,” said Vivian Tan, a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangkok.
Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) spokesperson Naw Blooming Night Zar confirmed that the April 27 meeting, which included officials from both governments, NGOs and representatives of the UNHCR and from refugee camps, did not focus on repatriation of those living in nine camps on the border. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
“The main focus of the meeting was on refugee registration and resettlement [to third-party countries], which is winding down after 11 years. The subject of voluntary return was not on the agenda but was prompted by a question,” said Vivian Tan, a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangkok.
Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) spokesperson Naw Blooming Night Zar confirmed that the April 27 meeting, which included officials from both governments, NGOs and representatives of the UNHCR and from refugee camps, did not focus on repatriation of those living in nine camps on the border. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Asian nations top US list on religious repression
The deplorable treatment of Rohingya in Myanmar, anti-Christian and Muslim campaigns in China, and wholesale repression in North Korea saw the three Asian nations again top an annual U.S. government list of countries with the least religious freedom.
Released on May 2, the report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom rates Myanmar, China and North Korea among nine of the most severe violators — on an unranked list that includes Saudi Arabia and Iran. Vietnam is also listed as a "country of particular concern."
On lower tiers, but also noted as countries being monitored, are India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
In China, Christians and Muslims have both faced a steady barrage of abuse at the hands of state authorities. The report cites the case of pastor Bao Guohua—who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for opposing a government cross-removal campaign—as well as that of Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti, who was sentenced to life in prison on "separatism" charges. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
Released on May 2, the report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom rates Myanmar, China and North Korea among nine of the most severe violators — on an unranked list that includes Saudi Arabia and Iran. Vietnam is also listed as a "country of particular concern."
On lower tiers, but also noted as countries being monitored, are India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
In China, Christians and Muslims have both faced a steady barrage of abuse at the hands of state authorities. The report cites the case of pastor Bao Guohua—who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for opposing a government cross-removal campaign—as well as that of Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti, who was sentenced to life in prison on "separatism" charges. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
Broadcaster’s Terminology in Arakan Conflict Coverage Irks Military
Burma’s military, officially known as the Tatmadaw, strongly condemned a Burmese broadcaster for calling an ethnic armed organization the “Rakhine Tatmadaw” and referring to Tatmadaw troops as “government forces,” according to a military statement released Tuesday night.
MRTV-4, a private broadcaster affiliated with Burma’s Ministry of Information, aired a story on Friday in which it reported that 1,100 locals in Arakan State, also known as Rakhine State, were recently displaced by fighting between the “Rakhine Tatmadaw”—in reference to the Arakan Army—and “government forces.”
The military took exception to the word “Tatmadaw” being used to describe any group that is not the state armed forces, officially translated as the Defense Services in English. Further stoking ire was the replacement of the word Tatmadaw with “government forces,” a term which the military apparently felt had diminished its authority. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
MRTV-4, a private broadcaster affiliated with Burma’s Ministry of Information, aired a story on Friday in which it reported that 1,100 locals in Arakan State, also known as Rakhine State, were recently displaced by fighting between the “Rakhine Tatmadaw”—in reference to the Arakan Army—and “government forces.”
The military took exception to the word “Tatmadaw” being used to describe any group that is not the state armed forces, officially translated as the Defense Services in English. Further stoking ire was the replacement of the word Tatmadaw with “government forces,” a term which the military apparently felt had diminished its authority. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Iran, Myanmar don't come to mind as vacation hotspots but they should
A couple of months ago, my wife and I, along with several couples, had the opportunity to visit Iran. Almost a year ago, we had gone to Myanmar. Both countries were our first visits and we were low on expectation. One associates them as unsafe, fundamentalist, authoritarian, underdeveloped and destroyed by the present rulers and their mindsets.
Take Iran. What does the world think of it? A country run by the Ayatollahs, conservative, where women are burkha-clad and men carry beads in their hands chanting prayers. The country after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the end of the Shah Pehlavi dynasty would be in disarray, the sanctions by the United States and most of the western world would have crippled the economy, the basics of life be denied to its people, and so on. (Courtesy of The Economic Times)
Take Iran. What does the world think of it? A country run by the Ayatollahs, conservative, where women are burkha-clad and men carry beads in their hands chanting prayers. The country after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the end of the Shah Pehlavi dynasty would be in disarray, the sanctions by the United States and most of the western world would have crippled the economy, the basics of life be denied to its people, and so on. (Courtesy of The Economic Times)
Speaking Notes by Ex-MP U Shwe Maung at Parliament of Canada
Speaking Notes for the meeting of Parliament of Canada the House of Commons’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development on “Current Human Rights Situation of Rohingya in Myanmar” at 13:00 to 14:00 EDT on May 3, 2016
Dear Mr. Chair,
First of all, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak about Current Human Rights Situation of Rohingya in Myanmar to testify before the House of Commons’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Let me introduce myself. My name is U Shwe Maung (a.k.a) Abdul Razak and I am a former Member of Parliament in Myanmar from 2010 to 2015.
In my country, there was a historic election on November 8, 2015. National League for Democracy (NLD) Party, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made a landslide victory. With effective from April 1, 2016, previous USDP government led by President U Thein Sein transferred the state power to the NLD. As NLD was unsuccessful to amend the 2008 Constitution in the previous parliamentary term, the core of state power is still in the hand of Myanmar Military. Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Border Affairs, Immigration and Religious Affairs are under the command of Myanmar Military Chief. Then, The Region/State, District, Township Administrators and Myanmar Police Force are under the command of Home Ministry. What I am trying to say is the core of state power is still in the hand of Military Group although NLD formed a civilian government. In this situation, NLD submitted a bill for a post of State Counsellor for its Chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the parliament as she is barred to become President and it was approved. Now she is The State Counsellor of Myanmar. She is leading NLD-Led Government and performing duties as if President of Myanmar. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Dear Mr. Chair,
First of all, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak about Current Human Rights Situation of Rohingya in Myanmar to testify before the House of Commons’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Let me introduce myself. My name is U Shwe Maung (a.k.a) Abdul Razak and I am a former Member of Parliament in Myanmar from 2010 to 2015.
In my country, there was a historic election on November 8, 2015. National League for Democracy (NLD) Party, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made a landslide victory. With effective from April 1, 2016, previous USDP government led by President U Thein Sein transferred the state power to the NLD. As NLD was unsuccessful to amend the 2008 Constitution in the previous parliamentary term, the core of state power is still in the hand of Myanmar Military. Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Border Affairs, Immigration and Religious Affairs are under the command of Myanmar Military Chief. Then, The Region/State, District, Township Administrators and Myanmar Police Force are under the command of Home Ministry. What I am trying to say is the core of state power is still in the hand of Military Group although NLD formed a civilian government. In this situation, NLD submitted a bill for a post of State Counsellor for its Chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the parliament as she is barred to become President and it was approved. Now she is The State Counsellor of Myanmar. She is leading NLD-Led Government and performing duties as if President of Myanmar. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Chronology for Rohingya persecution Since 1990
May 1990 – The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi won 392 of the 485 seats in national parliamentary elections. The Burmese Socialist Program Party (BSPP), registered under a new name, the National Unity Party (NUP) won only 10 seats. The remainder of the seats were allocated to 23 other parties. Parties representing ethnic groups achieved particular success: the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy won 23 seats, and the Rakhine Democracy League 11. Despite efforts by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to weaken known leaders and eliminate dissidents, 93 parties presented a total of 2,297 candidates to contest the 485 constituencies.
Jul 1990 – The SLORC announced that the recent election was only intended to produce a constituent assembly, which is to draft a constitution providing a strong government, under the direction of a national convention to be established by the SLORC.
Aug 1990 – Troops killed four protestors at an anti-government protest at Mandalay, commemorating the deaths of thousands of demonstrators at the hands of the armed forces in 1988. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Jul 1990 – The SLORC announced that the recent election was only intended to produce a constituent assembly, which is to draft a constitution providing a strong government, under the direction of a national convention to be established by the SLORC.
Aug 1990 – Troops killed four protestors at an anti-government protest at Mandalay, commemorating the deaths of thousands of demonstrators at the hands of the armed forces in 1988. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Burmese Immigrant Raises Money to Help the Needy – Gets Stolen by Police
Muskogee County District Attorney Orvil Loge recently announced that the $53,234 in cash seized from 40-year-old Eh Wah, the tour manager for Burmese rock band Klo & Kweh Music Team, in February will be returned and the drug-related felony charges filed against would be dropped.
According to the Washington Post, Eh Wah, an innocent Oklahoma man was carrying money raised by the band for a Thai orphanage when he was pulled over by authorities due to a broken tail light.
The deputy who pulled him over searched the car due to suspicion that he was carrying drug money. Despite not finding any drugs or paraphernalia, officers still took the money.
Eh Wah, a Burmese refugee who became a U.S. citizen more than a decade ago, tried to air his explanation in broken English but was unsuccessful. (Courtesy of nextshark.com)
According to the Washington Post, Eh Wah, an innocent Oklahoma man was carrying money raised by the band for a Thai orphanage when he was pulled over by authorities due to a broken tail light.
The deputy who pulled him over searched the car due to suspicion that he was carrying drug money. Despite not finding any drugs or paraphernalia, officers still took the money.
Eh Wah, a Burmese refugee who became a U.S. citizen more than a decade ago, tried to air his explanation in broken English but was unsuccessful. (Courtesy of nextshark.com)
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