The Aung San Suu Kyi– NLD (National League for Democracy) triumph is a big forward step but two inherited problems remain. First, 25% of parliamentary seats are reserved for khaki clad thugs who will also appoint three ministers including defence. It will take time and tactical sagacity, but until the political interference and the power of the army are destroyed, Burma will live in the shadow of a return to brutality and dictatorship. Secondly, a junta imposed piece of junk called a constitution decrees that if your children are foreigners you are debarred from the presidency! Loony chauvinism and dictatorship go hand in hand everywhere!
But there is a third self-inflicted defect. Suu Kyi is no Gandhiji or Mandela; she is silent on the genocide of the Rohingya people in Rakine Province. Burma has two million Muslim Rohingyas (4% of the 55 million population). Hundreds of Rohingyas have been killed and 140,000 forced to flee, but the Nobel Laureate has kept silent. Is it because to have spoken against genocide of a minority would have been a vote loser? If this was all, she would be no different from our reviled politicians and bearers of Lanka’s primitive post-independence zeitgeist. Déjà vu for us Lankans!
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November 23, 2015
Eye On The Invisible: A Photographer's Quest To Spotlight The Stateless
Where do you call home?
It seems like a simple question. But for ten million people around the world, there is no easy answer: They are stateless. They lack basic documents like a passport or a national ID card. And so they may not be able to go to school, hold a job, own land, get health care.
Photographer Greg Constantine calls them "Nowhere People" — that's the title of his new book, which documents the daily lives these individuals.
Constantine's first encounter with the world of the stateless came in 2002, when he moved to Japan to teach English and start a photography career.
His initial freelance story was about North Korean refugees hiding from authorities in China. Many of the women gave birth to children while living illegally in China. So neither the women nor their children had any legal documents. Their uncertain future sparked his decade-long work documenting the lives of the stateless.
For more information - Visit here.
It seems like a simple question. But for ten million people around the world, there is no easy answer: They are stateless. They lack basic documents like a passport or a national ID card. And so they may not be able to go to school, hold a job, own land, get health care.
Photographer Greg Constantine calls them "Nowhere People" — that's the title of his new book, which documents the daily lives these individuals.
Constantine's first encounter with the world of the stateless came in 2002, when he moved to Japan to teach English and start a photography career.
His initial freelance story was about North Korean refugees hiding from authorities in China. Many of the women gave birth to children while living illegally in China. So neither the women nor their children had any legal documents. Their uncertain future sparked his decade-long work documenting the lives of the stateless.
For more information - Visit here.
Time for global community to step up for Myanmar’s Muslims
The results of Myanmar’s general election held on Nov. 8 have been officially announced. The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won 348 out of the 664 seats in the parliament, giving the party an outright majority.
This outcome was predicted by almost everyone. What remains unknown is what will now happen in the country.
It is unclear whether or not the military, which has ruled the country with an iron fist following a coup in 1962, will recognize the results. Even if it does, it is unclear what kind of relationship the military will establish with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was held under house arrest for 15 years.
The sad truth is that no matter who is in power, there is very little possibility of any immediate change to the policies governing Myanmar. The Myanmar constitution, which automatically assigns 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military, does not allow for any change that is not first approved of by the generals.
For more information - Visit here.
This outcome was predicted by almost everyone. What remains unknown is what will now happen in the country.
It is unclear whether or not the military, which has ruled the country with an iron fist following a coup in 1962, will recognize the results. Even if it does, it is unclear what kind of relationship the military will establish with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was held under house arrest for 15 years.
The sad truth is that no matter who is in power, there is very little possibility of any immediate change to the policies governing Myanmar. The Myanmar constitution, which automatically assigns 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military, does not allow for any change that is not first approved of by the generals.
For more information - Visit here.
Can democracy and genocide co-exist in Burma?
We have witnessed a momentous and historic event in Burma (Myanmar); the first real glimpses of democracy with the military dictatorship making way for the landslide victory of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi after over two decades of political exile at an immeasurable personal cost.
However, there is a story behind the headlines and jubilation, to a large extent sidelined and omitted, perhaps because it inconveniently complicates and even undermines the simplistic narrative of democratic triumph over dictatorship, of absolute good overcoming absolute evil. That barely visible story, rather than a minor detail, demands our full attention, especially if the purpose behind the electoral exercise was a future democratic Burma, where human rights and its diverse ethnic and religious plurality is accommodated, respected and reflected politically.
And it is this: the Rohingya Muslim minority numbering around 1 million were denied the right to vote or stand for office, following a recent census, which excluded all Rohingya. Couple this with recent in-depth reports from Queen Mary University and Fortify Rights and the Yale Law School finding that the process of genocide is under way against the Rohingya. The QMU report concludes
For more information - Visit here.
However, there is a story behind the headlines and jubilation, to a large extent sidelined and omitted, perhaps because it inconveniently complicates and even undermines the simplistic narrative of democratic triumph over dictatorship, of absolute good overcoming absolute evil. That barely visible story, rather than a minor detail, demands our full attention, especially if the purpose behind the electoral exercise was a future democratic Burma, where human rights and its diverse ethnic and religious plurality is accommodated, respected and reflected politically.
And it is this: the Rohingya Muslim minority numbering around 1 million were denied the right to vote or stand for office, following a recent census, which excluded all Rohingya. Couple this with recent in-depth reports from Queen Mary University and Fortify Rights and the Yale Law School finding that the process of genocide is under way against the Rohingya. The QMU report concludes
For more information - Visit here.
Myanmar confronts challenges of democratic transformation
Millions of citizens in Myanmar cast their votes on November 08 in a nationwide parliamentary elections described as a historic step in the country's transition to democracy. At stake in the polls was control of the two-chamber legislature known as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. It is currently dominated by allies of President Thein Sein, a former military general, who is part of a junta that gave up power to a semi-civilian government in 2011.
The Parliament comprises of the Lower House of Representatives with 440 Members and the Upper House of Nationalities with 224 Members. In both legislative chambers, 25 per cent of the seats - 110 in the Lower House and 56 in the Upper House are reserved for the military as set out in the Constitution. Out of a total number of 498 seats that could have been contested, seven have had no elections. There were consequently elections to 325 seats in the Lower House and 168 in the Upper House.
For more information - Visit here.
The Parliament comprises of the Lower House of Representatives with 440 Members and the Upper House of Nationalities with 224 Members. In both legislative chambers, 25 per cent of the seats - 110 in the Lower House and 56 in the Upper House are reserved for the military as set out in the Constitution. Out of a total number of 498 seats that could have been contested, seven have had no elections. There were consequently elections to 325 seats in the Lower House and 168 in the Upper House.
For more information - Visit here.
Genocide against Rohingya - the Holocaust is recurring
The recent report entitled Countdown to Annihilation: Genocide in Myanmar by the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI), Queen Mary University of London, has identified that Rohingya in the Rakhine state of Myanmar have been subjected to genocide based on Nazism ideology.
The term ‘genocide’ sounds very controversial and many parties may be reluctant to make such a strong and serious allegation. The conventional definition of genocide usually involves mass killing committed by the state. However, ISCI investigation shows that the persecution of Rohingya has developed into genocidal practice based on the historic and current conditions. In other words, the genocide is underway in Myanmar.
This claim of genocide was also supported by a Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School which found that there was strong evidence of state crimes committed against Rohingya.
Who are the Rohingya?
The Rohingya community mostly live in the state of Rakhine or its former name Arakan in the north-western part of Myanmar. Rakhine state, which is inhabited by mainly Buddhist community and Rohingya Muslims, is the second poorest state in Myanmar. Rohingya are often referred to as ‘illegal Bengali immigrants’ who came from Bangladesh by the state and in public discourse.
For more information - Visit here.
The term ‘genocide’ sounds very controversial and many parties may be reluctant to make such a strong and serious allegation. The conventional definition of genocide usually involves mass killing committed by the state. However, ISCI investigation shows that the persecution of Rohingya has developed into genocidal practice based on the historic and current conditions. In other words, the genocide is underway in Myanmar.
This claim of genocide was also supported by a Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School which found that there was strong evidence of state crimes committed against Rohingya.
Who are the Rohingya?
The Rohingya community mostly live in the state of Rakhine or its former name Arakan in the north-western part of Myanmar. Rakhine state, which is inhabited by mainly Buddhist community and Rohingya Muslims, is the second poorest state in Myanmar. Rohingya are often referred to as ‘illegal Bengali immigrants’ who came from Bangladesh by the state and in public discourse.
For more information - Visit here.
Myanmar landslide: 90 dead at Kachin jade mine
A landslide at a jade mine has killed at least 90 people in northern Myanmar, witnesses say.
The victims were buried when a vast heap of waste material, discarded by the mining companies, collapsed in Kachin state, Burmese media reported.
Many of the dead were scavengers living on or near the waste dumps, who search through the debris in the hope of finding fragments of jade to sell.
The state of Kachin produces some of the best jade in the world.
The landslide in Hpakant happened in the early hours of Sunday morning, and there are reports of dozens more missing.
A huge rescue operation is underway with the Myanmar Red Cross, the army, police and local community groups all at the scene trying to dig people out of the earth.
For more information - Visit here.
The victims were buried when a vast heap of waste material, discarded by the mining companies, collapsed in Kachin state, Burmese media reported.
Many of the dead were scavengers living on or near the waste dumps, who search through the debris in the hope of finding fragments of jade to sell.
The state of Kachin produces some of the best jade in the world.
The landslide in Hpakant happened in the early hours of Sunday morning, and there are reports of dozens more missing.
A huge rescue operation is underway with the Myanmar Red Cross, the army, police and local community groups all at the scene trying to dig people out of the earth.
For more information - Visit here.
Cardinal says Myanmar is on threshold of hope and peace
Myanmar’s prominent Catholic Church leader has thanked and congratulated the citizens of his country for their commitment to democracy saying that while other parts of the world were locked in conflict and bloodshed, Myanmar stood as a beacon of hope of peaceful transition to peace. “Nearly 80% of our people, poor and the rich, the old and young fulfilled their commitment to a peaceful change of leadership. You my people are today the admiration of the world. You have led a silent revolution,” Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon said in a statement following the complete results of the Nov. 8 elections.
The results of Myanmar’s first openly contested elections since 1990, gave the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Aung San Suu Kyi, an absolute majority of seats in both chambers of the national parliament, enough to ensure that its candidate would become president. While congratulating the Election Commission for ensuring largely free and fair election, the nation’s first cardinal thanked President U Thein Sein and the Army commander for recognition of the election results and showing their commitment to democracy and development of the nation.
For more information - Visit here.
The results of Myanmar’s first openly contested elections since 1990, gave the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Aung San Suu Kyi, an absolute majority of seats in both chambers of the national parliament, enough to ensure that its candidate would become president. While congratulating the Election Commission for ensuring largely free and fair election, the nation’s first cardinal thanked President U Thein Sein and the Army commander for recognition of the election results and showing their commitment to democracy and development of the nation.
For more information - Visit here.
Govt helping NZ man imprisoned in Myanmar
Philip Blackwood and two of his Myanmar colleagues were sentenced in March to two-and-a-half years' jail with hard labour for using an image of Buddha to promote a cheap drinks night at the bar he managed.
Blackwood has appealed against the decision, and his father said the government had refused to advocate on his behalf.
Prime Minister John Key said it was a tricky situation, because Myanmar's government did not take kindly to other countries interfering.
"We have been doing some work on it, we have been looking at it and we have been dealing with it.
"I know the father of the gentleman in question is of the view the government isn't doing things, but what I would say is we are, but we're trying to do it in a way that doesn't make it worse for his son."
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Blackwood has appealed against the decision, and his father said the government had refused to advocate on his behalf.
Prime Minister John Key said it was a tricky situation, because Myanmar's government did not take kindly to other countries interfering.
"We have been doing some work on it, we have been looking at it and we have been dealing with it.
"I know the father of the gentleman in question is of the view the government isn't doing things, but what I would say is we are, but we're trying to do it in a way that doesn't make it worse for his son."
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Obama tries to put human face on Syrian refugee debate
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Brushing off refugee worries at home, President Barack Obama crouched alongside migrant children on Saturday and declared they are the opposite of terrorists wreaking havoc from Paris to Mali. Working to put a human face on the refugee crisis, he said, "They're just like our kids."
The refugees Obama encountered at a school for poor children in Malaysia were not from Syria, and unlike the flood of Syrians meeting steep resistance in the U.S., these migrants had already been cleared to resettle in America. Still, Obama said their faces could have been those of kids from Syria, Iraq and other war-torn regions whose pursuit of a life free from violence led them far from their native homes.
"They were indistinguishable from any child in America," Obama said. "The notion that somehow we would be fearful of them — that our politics would somehow lead us to turn our sights away from their plight — is not representative of the best of who we are."
For more information - Visit here.
The refugees Obama encountered at a school for poor children in Malaysia were not from Syria, and unlike the flood of Syrians meeting steep resistance in the U.S., these migrants had already been cleared to resettle in America. Still, Obama said their faces could have been those of kids from Syria, Iraq and other war-torn regions whose pursuit of a life free from violence led them far from their native homes.
"They were indistinguishable from any child in America," Obama said. "The notion that somehow we would be fearful of them — that our politics would somehow lead us to turn our sights away from their plight — is not representative of the best of who we are."
For more information - Visit here.
Rohingyas Refugees Speak at Women in the World India Summit 2015
New Dehli, India (Rohingya Vision) – A Rohingya Refugee Representative spoke about Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and their Hope in Suu Kyi’ at the Women in the World Summit held in New Dehli, the capital city of India, on November 20, 2015.
The event was organized and attended by world-class human rights activists, representatives of the authorities from many countries, UN Officials, corporate-business people, media personnel and celebrities etc. Tina Brown, Founder of CEO, Tina Brown Live Media/ Women in the World; Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliane Foundation; Barkha Dutt, Director of Barkha Dutt Live Media and Consulting Editor of NDTV; Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group; Prabha Narasimhan, Personal Care VP for South Asia, Unilever; and many VVIPs and VIPs were among the attendees and participants.
The event was commenced at ‘Taj Mahal Hotel’ at 10:00AM with an introductory speech by Anand Mahindra on Tina Brown and Women in the World Summit. It was followed by the well-versed and insightful speeches by many distinguished guests and attendees.
During the afternoon session, after the speech delivered by Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, a panel was formed to discuss on the current issues of Burma. The discussion panel was titled ‘Burma’s Shame’ and composed of ‘Ms. Lilianne Fan,’ International Director and Co-Founder, Geutanyoe Foundation; ‘Mr. Nezammudin and Ms. Ohnmar’ as Rohingya Refugee Representatives in India; and ‘ Mr. Saiful Huq Omi,’ a Founder and Managing Director, Counter Foto: A Center for Communication. It was moderated by Suhasini Haider, Deputy Resident Editor and Diplomatic Editor of The Hindu.
For more information - Visit here.
The event was organized and attended by world-class human rights activists, representatives of the authorities from many countries, UN Officials, corporate-business people, media personnel and celebrities etc. Tina Brown, Founder of CEO, Tina Brown Live Media/ Women in the World; Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliane Foundation; Barkha Dutt, Director of Barkha Dutt Live Media and Consulting Editor of NDTV; Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group; Prabha Narasimhan, Personal Care VP for South Asia, Unilever; and many VVIPs and VIPs were among the attendees and participants.
The event was commenced at ‘Taj Mahal Hotel’ at 10:00AM with an introductory speech by Anand Mahindra on Tina Brown and Women in the World Summit. It was followed by the well-versed and insightful speeches by many distinguished guests and attendees.
During the afternoon session, after the speech delivered by Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, a panel was formed to discuss on the current issues of Burma. The discussion panel was titled ‘Burma’s Shame’ and composed of ‘Ms. Lilianne Fan,’ International Director and Co-Founder, Geutanyoe Foundation; ‘Mr. Nezammudin and Ms. Ohnmar’ as Rohingya Refugee Representatives in India; and ‘ Mr. Saiful Huq Omi,’ a Founder and Managing Director, Counter Foto: A Center for Communication. It was moderated by Suhasini Haider, Deputy Resident Editor and Diplomatic Editor of The Hindu.
For more information - Visit here.
Burmese Police Chase and Arrest Displaced Rohingyas
(Rohingya Vision) – The Burmese Police chased and arrested few internally displaced Rohingyas in Sittwe Township, Arakan state, last Friday.
On November 19, the Police is said to have attempted to arrest a few Internally Displaced People (IDP) in ‘Sethamma Gyi (Say Thar Mar Gyi)’ IDP Camps for unknown reasons. And it consequently led to a confrontation between the Police and the IDP.
During the confrontation in the Camps, the Police saw some IDP carrying knives with them. Therefore, the Police called for extra Forces and as the more Police Forces arrived, the (displaced) dispersed and left the place.
“Actually, the people carrying knives were from ‘Thandaw Li (Saantoli)” village taking shelter in the IDP Camps. Having knives with them and taking them wherever they go is their custom and tradition.
They used to do it. They are doing now. It’s not to harm anybody. And they were not involving in the confrontation but other people were.
However, the police misunderstood it or intentionally call for more police forces despite knowing it. As more police forces arrived, everybody left the place as they didn’t want the confrontation into a conflict or violence” said an internally displaced Rohingya.
For more information - Visit here.
On November 19, the Police is said to have attempted to arrest a few Internally Displaced People (IDP) in ‘Sethamma Gyi (Say Thar Mar Gyi)’ IDP Camps for unknown reasons. And it consequently led to a confrontation between the Police and the IDP.
During the confrontation in the Camps, the Police saw some IDP carrying knives with them. Therefore, the Police called for extra Forces and as the more Police Forces arrived, the (displaced) dispersed and left the place.
“Actually, the people carrying knives were from ‘Thandaw Li (Saantoli)” village taking shelter in the IDP Camps. Having knives with them and taking them wherever they go is their custom and tradition.
They used to do it. They are doing now. It’s not to harm anybody. And they were not involving in the confrontation but other people were.
However, the police misunderstood it or intentionally call for more police forces despite knowing it. As more police forces arrived, everybody left the place as they didn’t want the confrontation into a conflict or violence” said an internally displaced Rohingya.
For more information - Visit here.
Rohingya are not a ‘however’
It’s becoming something of a pattern. Rohingya people standing on the side-lines, watching celebrations of events which make our lives worse.
In 2011, at the same time as Thein Sein was being praised for launching his reforms, a fresh wave of anti-Rohingya hatred was being incited.
In 2012 when violent attacks took place which Human Rights Watch said met the definition of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, with state involvement, sanctions were being lifted and aid and support given to the government.
As Burma was being praised for increased openness and greater international humanitarian access, the government was placing strong restrictions on aid to more than 140,000 Rohingya in camps in Rakhine state, and to Rohingya villages.
When the census was being hailed as a success, the Rohingya were excluded.
For more information - Visit here.
In 2011, at the same time as Thein Sein was being praised for launching his reforms, a fresh wave of anti-Rohingya hatred was being incited.
In 2012 when violent attacks took place which Human Rights Watch said met the definition of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, with state involvement, sanctions were being lifted and aid and support given to the government.
As Burma was being praised for increased openness and greater international humanitarian access, the government was placing strong restrictions on aid to more than 140,000 Rohingya in camps in Rakhine state, and to Rohingya villages.
When the census was being hailed as a success, the Rohingya were excluded.
For more information - Visit here.
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