An estimated 50,000 Myanmar workers in fishing industry in central Thailand have called it quits and returned home while many more are believed to follow suit sooner or later.
The migrant workers including those who had been employed and stayed in Thailand for many years have decided to return home and would not come back for jobs in this country anymore, Kamjorn Mongkoltreeluck, head of a fishery association in Samut Sakorn province, said on Friday.
Samut Sakorn, about 35 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, houses Thailand's largest fishing, frozen seafood and food processing industry. (Courtesy of Xinhua)
May 14, 2016
Tension in Bandarban
Border Guard Bangladesh in Bandarban's remote Thanchi upazila came under mortar shell attacks last night.
Six mortar shells were fired targeting the Bulu para BGB camp from Myanmar border around 10:00pm on Wednesday, said Col Habibur Rahman, BGB Bandarban sector commander.
In retaliation, the BGB fired two mortar shells, he said, adding that since the incident happened at night, “we could not trace the attackers”. (Courtesy of The Daily Star)
Six mortar shells were fired targeting the Bulu para BGB camp from Myanmar border around 10:00pm on Wednesday, said Col Habibur Rahman, BGB Bandarban sector commander.
In retaliation, the BGB fired two mortar shells, he said, adding that since the incident happened at night, “we could not trace the attackers”. (Courtesy of The Daily Star)
Myanmar climbers set out on Sunday
The two Brits accompanied by two local guides, Dorchi Gyalzen Sherpa and Pemba Bhote, reached the top of the world’s highest peak at 8:15 am yesterday, said Iswari Paudel, owner of Himalayan Guides Nepal, which arranged the expedition.
The four-person team was the first to ascend the 8850-metre (29,035-foot) high Himalayan peak after nine Nepalis reached the summit on the evening before while fixing ropes for foreign climbers who plan to scale the mountain this week.
“After today’s successful summit, Kenton Cool has become the first Briton to summit Everest 12 times,” said Paudel, who received the news from team members at base camp. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The four-person team was the first to ascend the 8850-metre (29,035-foot) high Himalayan peak after nine Nepalis reached the summit on the evening before while fixing ropes for foreign climbers who plan to scale the mountain this week.
“After today’s successful summit, Kenton Cool has become the first Briton to summit Everest 12 times,” said Paudel, who received the news from team members at base camp. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Myanmar Navy Commander-in-Chief meets Deputy PM
The Myanmar Navy Chief has made an official visit to Thailand, during which he paid a courtesy call on the Thai Deputy Prime Minister for public security at the Ministry of Defense.
During the meeting, Myanmar Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Tin Aung San and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation through joint trainings, operations and academic programs, as well as mutual visits. Both voiced their satisfaction with ever-growing ties between the two nations, as evidenced by the exchange of information between Thai and Myanmar officials at all levels. (Courtesy of thainews.prd.go.th)
During the meeting, Myanmar Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Tin Aung San and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation through joint trainings, operations and academic programs, as well as mutual visits. Both voiced their satisfaction with ever-growing ties between the two nations, as evidenced by the exchange of information between Thai and Myanmar officials at all levels. (Courtesy of thainews.prd.go.th)
China to Deport Kokang Refugees Back to Burma: Sources
Chinese border authorities have ordered Kokang refugees back to Burma, threatening to deport those who resist the directive, according to sources on both sides of the border.
“They came through Thursday and destroyed 40 or 50 dwellings,” said Sai Lao, a brigadier-general in the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a Kokang ethnic armed group that waged an intense campaign against the Burma Army in months-long hostilities that drove tens of thousands of civilians into China last year. “They will not tolerate staying along the border anymore.”
Before they destroyed the houses, “they came to take photos and told the refugees to leave the area, otherwise they would be arrested and deported back to Burma,” he said. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
“They came through Thursday and destroyed 40 or 50 dwellings,” said Sai Lao, a brigadier-general in the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a Kokang ethnic armed group that waged an intense campaign against the Burma Army in months-long hostilities that drove tens of thousands of civilians into China last year. “They will not tolerate staying along the border anymore.”
Before they destroyed the houses, “they came to take photos and told the refugees to leave the area, otherwise they would be arrested and deported back to Burma,” he said. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Secretary Kerry's Travel to Saudi Arabia, Austria, Belgium, Burma, and Vietnam
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Saudi Arabia, Austria, Belgium, Burma, and Vietnam from May 14 to May 26.
On May 15-16, the Secretary will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for meetings with Saudi government officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.
Secretary Kerry will then travel to Vienna, Austria, May 16-17. The Secretary will co-host a ministerial meeting on Libya with Italian Foreign Minister Gentiloni to discuss international support for the new Government of National Accord, with a focus on security. He will also co-host the ministerial meeting of the International Syria Support Group to reaffirm and strengthen the Cessation of Hostilities, to discuss ways to ensure humanitarian access throughout the country, and to expedite a negotiated political transition in Syria. Together with Russia and France, the United States will also co-host a meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenian President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev. (Courtesy of state.gov)
On May 15-16, the Secretary will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for meetings with Saudi government officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.
Secretary Kerry will then travel to Vienna, Austria, May 16-17. The Secretary will co-host a ministerial meeting on Libya with Italian Foreign Minister Gentiloni to discuss international support for the new Government of National Accord, with a focus on security. He will also co-host the ministerial meeting of the International Syria Support Group to reaffirm and strengthen the Cessation of Hostilities, to discuss ways to ensure humanitarian access throughout the country, and to expedite a negotiated political transition in Syria. Together with Russia and France, the United States will also co-host a meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenian President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev. (Courtesy of state.gov)
Min Aung Hlaing, Burma’s Commander-in-Chief, Not Stepping Down
Burma’s commander-in-chief said he did not plan to leave office, despite having reached the official retirement age of 60 years old, at a press conference in Naypyidaw on Friday evening, vowing to maintain his position for four more years.
“I would consider retiring probably around 2020 if certain goals are reached by then,” said Min Aung Hlaing in a rare meeting with the press. “For example, if nationwide peace is achieved, [I would consider retirement].”
He pledged to try to make peace with all ethnic armed groups within five years.
The senior-general was also asked whether the military lawmakers, who control 25 percent of the seats in the Union Parliament in accordance with the Constitution, would relinquish their place in the legislature if peace were achieved with Burma’s ethnic armed organizations. “If everything goes well, there will be an answer [to the question of military MPs],” he said. “It might be in accordance with the wishes of the people.” (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
“I would consider retiring probably around 2020 if certain goals are reached by then,” said Min Aung Hlaing in a rare meeting with the press. “For example, if nationwide peace is achieved, [I would consider retirement].”
He pledged to try to make peace with all ethnic armed groups within five years.
The senior-general was also asked whether the military lawmakers, who control 25 percent of the seats in the Union Parliament in accordance with the Constitution, would relinquish their place in the legislature if peace were achieved with Burma’s ethnic armed organizations. “If everything goes well, there will be an answer [to the question of military MPs],” he said. “It might be in accordance with the wishes of the people.” (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Young people learn plight of Burmese
Cardinal Charles Bo from Burma addressed a group of 250 young people at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility earlier this week.
The Archbishop of Yangon was in England as a guest of the Bishop’s Conference and decided he’d like to visit Scotland for the first time.
Missio Scotland, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Christian Solidarity Worldwide and SCIAF teamed up to sponsor the trip.
Cardinal Bo spoke of the past, present and future of Burma, which was ruled by Britain for 100 years before independence. (Courtesy of Motherwell Times)
The Archbishop of Yangon was in England as a guest of the Bishop’s Conference and decided he’d like to visit Scotland for the first time.
Missio Scotland, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Christian Solidarity Worldwide and SCIAF teamed up to sponsor the trip.
Cardinal Bo spoke of the past, present and future of Burma, which was ruled by Britain for 100 years before independence. (Courtesy of Motherwell Times)
Burma’s Ex-VP Hopes New Government Will Bring Peace
A successful peace process will depend on the efforts of the new National League for Democracy-run government, said the ethnic Shan Sai Mauk Kham, former vice president of Burma and former chair of the Union Peace-making Working Committee, on a visit to Shan communities in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Thursday.
Currently a Lower House parliamentarian representing Lashio for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), Sai Mauk Kham expressed his sympathies for the thousands who have been displaced by fighting among the Burma Army and multiple ethnic armed groups, which continues in the Shan State. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Currently a Lower House parliamentarian representing Lashio for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), Sai Mauk Kham expressed his sympathies for the thousands who have been displaced by fighting among the Burma Army and multiple ethnic armed groups, which continues in the Shan State. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Ansar commander killed in attack on Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf, 11 firearms looted
The 13-member platoon had been posted at the Rohingya camp in Hnila’s Muchni area for security reasons.
The incident took place at dawn on Friday.
The attackers looted eleven firearms belonging to Ansar personnel during the raid, refugee camp police OC Md Kashem told bdnews24.com.
Kashem identified the deceased as platoon commander Ali Hossain, 55, of Tangail.
He said, “A group of robbers attacked the camp around 3am. Hossain was injured when they opened fire. He was rushed to the camp hospital, where the doctor declared him dead.”
The OC said the attackers made away with two SMGs, five Chinese rifles, four shotguns and 670 rounds of bullets.
The injured Ansar members were being treated at the camp hospital. (Courtesy of bdnews24.com)
The incident took place at dawn on Friday.
The attackers looted eleven firearms belonging to Ansar personnel during the raid, refugee camp police OC Md Kashem told bdnews24.com.
Kashem identified the deceased as platoon commander Ali Hossain, 55, of Tangail.
He said, “A group of robbers attacked the camp around 3am. Hossain was injured when they opened fire. He was rushed to the camp hospital, where the doctor declared him dead.”
The OC said the attackers made away with two SMGs, five Chinese rifles, four shotguns and 670 rounds of bullets.
The injured Ansar members were being treated at the camp hospital. (Courtesy of bdnews24.com)
What Suu Kyi won't say
The Rohingya Muslim population in Myanmar has long been deemed one of the world's most persecuted minorities, its plight called a "most urgent matter" by President Barack Obama. Episodes of sectarian violence drove the Rohingya from their homes, leaving more than 100,000 in squalid camps for the displaced. Restricted in how they travel and denied educational opportunities, they are the outcasts in majority-Buddhist Myanmar, also known as Burma. Many Rohingya families have lived in Myanmar for generations, yet they are considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and West Bengal. And most in effect have been denied citizenship because they can't meet the nearly impossible standard set by law.
Myanmar has made a stunning transition from military rule to the newly elected government led, in effect, by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Human rights advocates have hoped that she and her ruling National League for Democracy party would dismantle the repressive measures against the Rohingya. Suu Kyi, who was disturbingly noncommittal on the issue during the election, has now spoken up — but, woefully, only to endorse the previous government's discriminatory practice of refusing to recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's more than 130 officially sanctioned ethnic groups. Instead, her government has advised foreign embassies to stop using the word "Rohingya. (Courtesy of dailycamera.com)
Myanmar has made a stunning transition from military rule to the newly elected government led, in effect, by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Human rights advocates have hoped that she and her ruling National League for Democracy party would dismantle the repressive measures against the Rohingya. Suu Kyi, who was disturbingly noncommittal on the issue during the election, has now spoken up — but, woefully, only to endorse the previous government's discriminatory practice of refusing to recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's more than 130 officially sanctioned ethnic groups. Instead, her government has advised foreign embassies to stop using the word "Rohingya. (Courtesy of dailycamera.com)
Myanmar Makes Access To Healthcare For Rohingya Muslims More Difficult
As if life for Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar wasn’t already difficult enough, authorities recently imposed new travel restrictions on the ethnic minority that can make access to medical treatment even harder.
Burmese news blog The Irrawaddy, members of the community will have to seek permission before traveling to Yangon, the country’s largest city, for further treatment. This could be a rather lengthy and tricky process, considering Rohingya Muslims are not even acknowledged as citizens of Myanmar. (Courtesy of carbonated.tv)
Burmese news blog The Irrawaddy, members of the community will have to seek permission before traveling to Yangon, the country’s largest city, for further treatment. This could be a rather lengthy and tricky process, considering Rohingya Muslims are not even acknowledged as citizens of Myanmar. (Courtesy of carbonated.tv)
Myanmar Nationalists Stage Protest in Mandalay Against Use of Term 'Rohingya' by U.S.
More than 500 people protested on Friday in Myanmar's northern city of Mandalay, demanding that the government officially denounce the U.S. government's use of the term "Rohingya" to describe western Myanmar's Muslim minority group.
About 50 Buddhist monks from the nationalist organization Ma Ba Tha and members of the Mandalay nationalist Saturday Group led a march along one of the main roads in east Mandalay, shouted slogans, and carried placards condemning the U.S. embassy's use of "Rohingya."
About 1.1 million Rohingya live in western Myanmar's Rakhine state where they are persecuted and stateless, and live in squalid displaced persons camps. (Courtesy of bignewsnetwork.com)
About 50 Buddhist monks from the nationalist organization Ma Ba Tha and members of the Mandalay nationalist Saturday Group led a march along one of the main roads in east Mandalay, shouted slogans, and carried placards condemning the U.S. embassy's use of "Rohingya."
About 1.1 million Rohingya live in western Myanmar's Rakhine state where they are persecuted and stateless, and live in squalid displaced persons camps. (Courtesy of bignewsnetwork.com)
Free poet MaungSaungkha – British campaign group
Burma Campaign UK has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Maung Saungkha and urged the Myanmar government to reform the Prisoners of Conscience Affairs Committee and to ensure the release of Maung Saungkha and all remaining political prisoners in Myanmar.
Maung Saungkha is a Myanmar poet and pro-democracy activist. On 8th October 2015, he wrote a poem about having a portrait of a president tattooed on his penis. He posted the poem on Facebook. Former President Thein Sein's spokesperson Zaw Htay saw the Facebook post and called for his prosecution and on the same day, police arrived at his house to arrest him. When he heard the charges had been filed against him, he went into hiding.
After nearly four weeks on the run, he was arrested on 5th November 2015 and sent to Insein prison. Since then he has been charged under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Act for defamation. He is currently being detained in Insein prison while his trial continues. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Maung Saungkha is a Myanmar poet and pro-democracy activist. On 8th October 2015, he wrote a poem about having a portrait of a president tattooed on his penis. He posted the poem on Facebook. Former President Thein Sein's spokesperson Zaw Htay saw the Facebook post and called for his prosecution and on the same day, police arrived at his house to arrest him. When he heard the charges had been filed against him, he went into hiding.
After nearly four weeks on the run, he was arrested on 5th November 2015 and sent to Insein prison. Since then he has been charged under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Act for defamation. He is currently being detained in Insein prison while his trial continues. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Govt Proposes Keeping Some Junta Curbs on Protests
Burma democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi is facing criticism from rights groups and student activists who say her ruling party is planning to retain restrictions on free speech once wielded against it by the country’s former junta.
Since taking power in April, former political prisoner Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) has released scores of detainees and is making a big push to revise some of the most repressive measures from the long years of military rule.
But its new version of the law governing public demonstrations has prompted alarm since the proposals were submitted to Parliament last week.
The draft bill would punish protesters for spreading “wrong” information and make straying away from pre-registered chants an offense. It bars non-citizens—a category that includes the largely stateless Muslim Rohingya minority—from protesting and lists criminal penalties for “disturbing” or “annoying” people. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Since taking power in April, former political prisoner Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) has released scores of detainees and is making a big push to revise some of the most repressive measures from the long years of military rule.
But its new version of the law governing public demonstrations has prompted alarm since the proposals were submitted to Parliament last week.
The draft bill would punish protesters for spreading “wrong” information and make straying away from pre-registered chants an offense. It bars non-citizens—a category that includes the largely stateless Muslim Rohingya minority—from protesting and lists criminal penalties for “disturbing” or “annoying” people. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Burma emerges from ‘hell’
The first cardinal of Burma (Myanmar) revealed in Scotland that the emerging Asian democracy was until recently ‘a crucified nation’ that endured ‘five decades of Calvary’ at the hands of evil men who used religious persecution as a weapon.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo (above right) began his pilgrimage to the UK in Glasgow on Sunday after asking for his trip to include Scotland.
Archbishop Mario Conti (above left), Archbishop Emeritus of Glasgow, and Bishop John Keenan of Paisley welcomed him to lead 5.15pm Mass on Sunday at St Andrew’s Cathedral. “Cardinal Bo has come to the West at an important juncture in his country’s history,” Archbishop Conti, chairman of the Church committee for inter-religious dialogue, told the congregation gathered on Clydeside, which included representatives from the four agencies that have sponsored the cardinal’s visit—Missio Scotland, Aid to the Church in Need, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and SCIAF. (Courtesy of sconews.co.uk)
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo (above right) began his pilgrimage to the UK in Glasgow on Sunday after asking for his trip to include Scotland.
Archbishop Mario Conti (above left), Archbishop Emeritus of Glasgow, and Bishop John Keenan of Paisley welcomed him to lead 5.15pm Mass on Sunday at St Andrew’s Cathedral. “Cardinal Bo has come to the West at an important juncture in his country’s history,” Archbishop Conti, chairman of the Church committee for inter-religious dialogue, told the congregation gathered on Clydeside, which included representatives from the four agencies that have sponsored the cardinal’s visit—Missio Scotland, Aid to the Church in Need, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and SCIAF. (Courtesy of sconews.co.uk)
The Mailbox: Rohingya Diplomacy
It was recently diplomatically suggested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to US ambassador to Myanmar Scot Marciel that he should not perhaps use the term “Rohingya” as it was “not supportive of national reconciliation”. The ambassador however has defended his use of the term. “Our approach globally and normal international practice,” he told Channel News-Asia, “is to recognise that communities everywhere have the ability to choose what they should be called. That is fundamental international practice and we respect that.”
I wish it were that simple. There are many in Myanmar who regard the “Rohingya” label as a political statement, so that in referring to “Rohingya” the ambassador is taking a political position. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
I wish it were that simple. There are many in Myanmar who regard the “Rohingya” label as a political statement, so that in referring to “Rohingya” the ambassador is taking a political position. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
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