About 400 Myanmar citizens are still in a prison at Indian’s Port Blair naval base, most of whom are workers in the fishing industry, said an official from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Myanmar fishermen have been jailed for a variety of reasons, though 249 of them will be released on May 31 and June 2. They are to be released after they have served their prison terms.
“More than 20 people have been released from the prison, but authorities are still checking their citizenship status,” said Sein Oo, director general of the Consular and Legal Affairs Department under the ministry. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
May 31, 2016
Burma’s ‘Rohingya Princess’ Has Met Obama, Why Not Aung San Suu Kyi?
When she talks about imprisoned Rohingya Muslims, her people, her pretty face changes; her eyes darken, her straight-backed posture grows tense, and her voice grows louder: “The government now deny that we even exist,” she says.
A walking symbol for discriminated minorities, Wai Wai Nu believes that the only way to convince her country’s newly elected government to include all ethnic minorities in the democratic process is by mobilizing, and pushing.
She says she is ready to turn into a monk for that, to live without any personal life, devoting herself only to one goal: to end the disaster for one of the most discriminated-against groups on the planet, to win freedom for more than 200,000 internally displaced people living in ghettos and camps surrounded by police checkpoints in Rakhine state. (Courtesy of thedailybeast.com)
A walking symbol for discriminated minorities, Wai Wai Nu believes that the only way to convince her country’s newly elected government to include all ethnic minorities in the democratic process is by mobilizing, and pushing.
She says she is ready to turn into a monk for that, to live without any personal life, devoting herself only to one goal: to end the disaster for one of the most discriminated-against groups on the planet, to win freedom for more than 200,000 internally displaced people living in ghettos and camps surrounded by police checkpoints in Rakhine state. (Courtesy of thedailybeast.com)
Protecting religious freedom a major challenge in Myanmar, Catholic cardinal says
A Catholic cardinal in Myanmar spoke at the U.K. Parliament in London on Wednesday, May 25 about the abuses against religious freedom, saying upholding people's rights to freely worship is one of the major challenges in his country today.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar's first cardinal, said there is a need to defend religious freedom, to fight discrimination and to ensure that everyone enjoys equal rights regardless of ethnicity and religion. (Courtesy of christiantimes.com)
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar's first cardinal, said there is a need to defend religious freedom, to fight discrimination and to ensure that everyone enjoys equal rights regardless of ethnicity and religion. (Courtesy of christiantimes.com)
Authorities arrest 8 ‘Bengalis’ for illegal entry into Magway
Ngape—Police have arrested eight ‘Bengalis’ who were smuggled from Kyauktaw, Rakhine State, into Ngape Township, Magway Region, on May 28, sources say. Bengalis are also known as Rohingya.
A police unit led by Police Captain Kyaw Myo from the Gokegyi Police Station, along with and villagers, checked cars from Rakhine State and stopped a car in front of the Natyaykan coffee plantation. However, the driver fled the scene and left his passengers near Linte Village. When they were found, the people being smuggled said they came by car. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
A police unit led by Police Captain Kyaw Myo from the Gokegyi Police Station, along with and villagers, checked cars from Rakhine State and stopped a car in front of the Natyaykan coffee plantation. However, the driver fled the scene and left his passengers near Linte Village. When they were found, the people being smuggled said they came by car. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
TNLA seeks dialogue with govt to end clashes
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA/PSLF) announced on May 28 that it will seek to hold political dialogue with the government to reach a ceasefire and return IDPs to their homes.
The TNLA/PSLF issued the statement in response to a demonstration held by local Shan nationals in Kyaukme Township. The demonstrators demanded an end to racial violence between the Ta’ang and Shan communities.
The TNLA said that due to successive dictatorships in Myanmar, peaceful discussions on political problems were never achieved, and as a result, the Ta’ang, Shan and Kachin communities suffered domestic instability.
Clashes frequently occur in Shan State between the TNLA and the Myanmar Defence Services. Also, the TNLA and the Shan State Restoration Council (RCSS), which signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), have been clashing since November 2015. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The TNLA/PSLF issued the statement in response to a demonstration held by local Shan nationals in Kyaukme Township. The demonstrators demanded an end to racial violence between the Ta’ang and Shan communities.
The TNLA said that due to successive dictatorships in Myanmar, peaceful discussions on political problems were never achieved, and as a result, the Ta’ang, Shan and Kachin communities suffered domestic instability.
Clashes frequently occur in Shan State between the TNLA and the Myanmar Defence Services. Also, the TNLA and the Shan State Restoration Council (RCSS), which signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), have been clashing since November 2015. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
`Midnight inspections’ set to end in Myanmar
House raids without a warrant are set to end in Myanmar under draft legislation supported by the ruling party and rights activists.
Members of the governing National League for Democracy (NLD), many of whom had been a victim of surprise house raids under the former military regime, are supporting the bill currently going through parliament.
"Previous governments used this law to arrest political activists. As the ruling party, the NLD wants to amend this law in line with human rights standards," party spokesman Win Htein said Monday.
"The new law will end warrant less household inspections," he told dpa by phone.
Myanmar’s upper house last week discussed the proposed bill to amend the 2012 Ward or Village Tract Administration Law, which has required residents to inform government officials when visitors spend the night in their homes. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
Members of the governing National League for Democracy (NLD), many of whom had been a victim of surprise house raids under the former military regime, are supporting the bill currently going through parliament.
"Previous governments used this law to arrest political activists. As the ruling party, the NLD wants to amend this law in line with human rights standards," party spokesman Win Htein said Monday.
"The new law will end warrant less household inspections," he told dpa by phone.
Myanmar’s upper house last week discussed the proposed bill to amend the 2012 Ward or Village Tract Administration Law, which has required residents to inform government officials when visitors spend the night in their homes. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
News Agency Denounces Nationalist Monks For Obstructing Reporter
In what it has called an assault on press freedom, Burmese news agency Myanmar Cable News has publicly condemned the Myanmar Patriotic Monks Union, one of several hardline Buddhist nationalist groups in Burma, for allegedly obstructing and intimidating one of its junior reporters.
The reporter was covering a meeting between the monk’s union and the management of the luxury Sedona Hotel in Rangoon. According to the news agency’s statement issued on Monday, members of the monk’s union stopped the reporter from filming the meeting, and attempted to delete the footage taken, even though the news agency had obtained permission from the hotel to film the meeting. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
The reporter was covering a meeting between the monk’s union and the management of the luxury Sedona Hotel in Rangoon. According to the news agency’s statement issued on Monday, members of the monk’s union stopped the reporter from filming the meeting, and attempted to delete the footage taken, even though the news agency had obtained permission from the hotel to film the meeting. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Monk says denigrating other religions is against Buddhism
A Senior monk has spoken out against fellow clerics who criticise other religions. U Sandi Marbhivamsa, secretary of the State Sangha Nayaka Committee, spoke to The Myanmar Times shortly after returning from an interfaith conference held in Indonesia.
He said the Buddha did not attack other religions or races, but some monks were venturing into politics with their criticisms. “Some monks court political popularity with such views. That kind of provocation is not conducive to peace in the country,” he said.
His recent experience in Indonesia had shown him that the majority- Muslim population there, one of the biggest in the world, had no prejudice against Buddhists, said U Sandi Marbhivamsa. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
He said the Buddha did not attack other religions or races, but some monks were venturing into politics with their criticisms. “Some monks court political popularity with such views. That kind of provocation is not conducive to peace in the country,” he said.
His recent experience in Indonesia had shown him that the majority- Muslim population there, one of the biggest in the world, had no prejudice against Buddhists, said U Sandi Marbhivamsa. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Eight militants killed in ambush by Indian army in Myanmar for the second time in a year
Indian troops are said to have entered Myanmarese territory for the second time in less than a year in pursuit of militants responsible for the May 22 deadly ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur , officials familiar with the matter said. Initial reports suggested that at least eight militants were killed in the operation late Friday, they said.
"The AR (Assam Rifles) has informed us that besides killing eight, they have picked up 18 militants who were later handed over to the Myanmar authorities," said an official from the security establishment. (Courtesy of economictimes.indiatimes.com)
"The AR (Assam Rifles) has informed us that besides killing eight, they have picked up 18 militants who were later handed over to the Myanmar authorities," said an official from the security establishment. (Courtesy of economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Burma: Human Rights Now Is Not a Slogan
In Burma, the urgency for just leadership is intensifying. Leadership defines a nation. Some leaders take their country higher and some take their country lower. Those on the lower side are forgotten and those on the high side are remembered; legacy counts. I strongly believe that Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) is coming to a fork in the road for her career. In the last election, she won every district. Her nation believes in her. Despite her house arrest, her people stayed with her for 16 years and never wavered. Her numerous international honors, including the Nobel Peace Prize, prove the world believes in her. But moments come that define leadership. No one asks for these moments but they do come. Nelson Mandela chose a positive path and Robert Mugabe took the lower path. I hope ASSK takes the higher path. Let me explain. (Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com)
Suu Kyi to Visit Thailand in June
Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s state counselor and foreign minister, will visit Thailand in June, according to the President’s Office.
Zaw Htay, the office’s spokesperson, confirmed that the trip would take place next month but said the exact dates of travel are still being negotiated.
Zaw Htay declined to comment on whether Htin Kyaw, Burma’s president, would join Suu Kyi on the trip.
However, inside sources said the trip would be between June 23-25, and that Htin Kyaw would be joining. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Zaw Htay, the office’s spokesperson, confirmed that the trip would take place next month but said the exact dates of travel are still being negotiated.
Zaw Htay declined to comment on whether Htin Kyaw, Burma’s president, would join Suu Kyi on the trip.
However, inside sources said the trip would be between June 23-25, and that Htin Kyaw would be joining. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
May 30, 2016
Suu Kyi tells peace talks to prioritise politics
The government has an emphasised political and security affairs during the 21st-century Panglong Conference to make a peace process more effective.
The conference is scheduled for late July.
The Panglong Agreement was reached in Panglong, southern Shan State, between Aung San and the Shan, Kachin, and Chin peoples on February 12, 1947. The agreement accepted "full autonomy in internal administration for the frontier areas" and envisioned a federal union. It is celebrated in Myanmar as Union Day each February 12. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The conference is scheduled for late July.
The Panglong Agreement was reached in Panglong, southern Shan State, between Aung San and the Shan, Kachin, and Chin peoples on February 12, 1947. The agreement accepted "full autonomy in internal administration for the frontier areas" and envisioned a federal union. It is celebrated in Myanmar as Union Day each February 12. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The Trouble with DDR: Ending the World’s Longest Civil War
Among myriad fiercely debated issues, three words are obstructing Myanmar’s peace process negotiations: demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration.
Myanmar has been fighting a civil war for more than 68 years, and although many of the Ethnic Armed Organizations—a series of armed rebel factions—have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government, the powerful Kachin Independence Army continues to battle Myanmar’s state military, the Tatmadaw, in the jade-laden North. Moreover, even those groups that have agreed to a temporary truce are far from at peace with the Burmese state.
Speaking anonymously with the HPR, a member of the KIA described the situation: “The Tatmadaw call demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration a trade-off with peace. Even conceptually, this is wrong: peace cannot be traded. Neither can it be given to the other group as if one were superior in deciding such a thing.” (Courtesy of harvardpolitics.com)
Myanmar has been fighting a civil war for more than 68 years, and although many of the Ethnic Armed Organizations—a series of armed rebel factions—have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government, the powerful Kachin Independence Army continues to battle Myanmar’s state military, the Tatmadaw, in the jade-laden North. Moreover, even those groups that have agreed to a temporary truce are far from at peace with the Burmese state.
Speaking anonymously with the HPR, a member of the KIA described the situation: “The Tatmadaw call demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration a trade-off with peace. Even conceptually, this is wrong: peace cannot be traded. Neither can it be given to the other group as if one were superior in deciding such a thing.” (Courtesy of harvardpolitics.com)
Tourist visas to be simplified: govt
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism says it will reform the process for entry of blacklisted foreigners and visa overstays in a shakeup to the tourist sector.
Ye Mon, permanent secretary at the ministry, told the Committee for Foreign Visitors: “On 4 May, the government formed the committee with officials from nine ministries to ensure the massive numbers of foreigners arriving have a smooth experience. The new government has introduced many relaxations to allow a massive boom in arrivals." (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Ye Mon, permanent secretary at the ministry, told the Committee for Foreign Visitors: “On 4 May, the government formed the committee with officials from nine ministries to ensure the massive numbers of foreigners arriving have a smooth experience. The new government has introduced many relaxations to allow a massive boom in arrivals." (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Ex-prisoners demand an end to discrimination
A report on the struggles of 1,459 ex-prisoners says that the government needs to provide support for people who sacrificed their liberty to establish democracy.
The report by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and Federation of Political Prisoners Society (FPPS) called "Life starts again after escape" said the chronic emotional suffering caused by torture prevented rehabilitation into society.
It said many convicts were released under Section 401, which barred educational and job opportunities. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The report by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and Federation of Political Prisoners Society (FPPS) called "Life starts again after escape" said the chronic emotional suffering caused by torture prevented rehabilitation into society.
It said many convicts were released under Section 401, which barred educational and job opportunities. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Myanmar Wants the World to Stop Using the Word Rohingya for Persecuted Ethnic Group
For human rights groups outside Myanmar, the Rohingya people are among the most persecuted ethnic groups in the world. But for Myanmar authorities and Buddhist nationalists, they are treated as illegal immigrants living in the western Rakhine State.
Myanmar’s foreign ministry is asking other governments to refrain from using the word Rohingya since it is deemed offensive by many people inside the country.
But last month, the United States embassy in Myanmar issued a statement expressing condolence to the families of Rohingya boat refugees who perished in an accident. (Courtesy of globalvoices.org)
Myanmar’s foreign ministry is asking other governments to refrain from using the word Rohingya since it is deemed offensive by many people inside the country.
But last month, the United States embassy in Myanmar issued a statement expressing condolence to the families of Rohingya boat refugees who perished in an accident. (Courtesy of globalvoices.org)
CANCELLED DEALS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
On May 12, the Lower House approved without objection a proposal to cancel a controversial US$70 million project to build a private hospital on government-owned land in downtown Yangon.
A consortium headed by Singapore-based Parkway Pantai, a subsidiary of Malaysian healthcare provider, IHH Healthcare, had begun work on the 250-bed Parkway Yangon Hospital on a 4.3 acre site at the corner of Bogyoke Aung San and Pyay roads in late January.
The move against the hospital in the Pyithu Hluttaw was launched on May 4 by National League for Democracy MP Dr San Shwe Win (Yegyi, Ayeryarwady) who had called for the long-term lease granted to the consortium for the build-operate-transfer project to be withdrawn. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
After Decades of Fighting, a Onetime No Man’s Land Transforms
The town of Thaton is located on the highway linking Burma’s commercial capital, Rangoon, with the Mon State capital city of Moulmein. When we arrive in a taxi, we are greeted by a muscular man with tattooed arms, who takes us into a liaison office of an ethnic Karen rebel group, the Karen National Union (KNU).
He politely introduces himself, saying he will give us a ride to a base of the KNU’s military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The base is home to the KNLA’s Brigade 1. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
He politely introduces himself, saying he will give us a ride to a base of the KNU’s military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The base is home to the KNLA’s Brigade 1. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
David I. Steinberg -- US moves on Vietnam and Myanmar highlight glaring discrepancies
On his just completed trip to Asia, President Barack Obama announced in Hanoi that he was ending the decades-old embargo on U.S. arms sales to Vietnam, one of the last regional policy relics of the Cold War.
Although he denied that the shift was part of any deliberate "containment" policy, as China has charged, Beijing certainly interpreted it as such. As rivalries over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea continue to preoccupy the U.S., China and some Southeast Asian states including Vietnam, the lifting of the arms sales prohibition was seen by some as a further element of the Obama "pivot" -- which was designed, as U.S. policy has been for a century and a half, to prevent the rise of any hegemonic power in East Asia. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
Although he denied that the shift was part of any deliberate "containment" policy, as China has charged, Beijing certainly interpreted it as such. As rivalries over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea continue to preoccupy the U.S., China and some Southeast Asian states including Vietnam, the lifting of the arms sales prohibition was seen by some as a further element of the Obama "pivot" -- which was designed, as U.S. policy has been for a century and a half, to prevent the rise of any hegemonic power in East Asia. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
May 29, 2016
Manipur: Dead ‘Militant’ Returns Home
In a stunning incident, a man who was presumed dead after he failed to return ever since he went missing in 2010 suddenly turned up but was arrested by police on the charges of being a cadre of an underground outfit. The man identified as Nongmaithem Shyam Singh, 51 under Lamlai Police Station, Imphal East district was supposedly taken away by militants and engaged in their services.
Family members of the man had already solemnized his last rites assuming that he died in an encounter with security forces. Meanwhile, Shyam was arrested by a team of Imphal East District Police Commando from his residence on May 19 and handed over to Lamlai Police Station on May 20. After a case was registered against him by the police, he was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate/Imphal East. The court remanded him to police custody till May 27. As the period of the remand has ended, he was again produced before the court today wherein he pleaded to grant him bail. Admitting his plea, the court granted him bail after conducting hearing of the case. (Courtesy of northeasttoday.in)
Family members of the man had already solemnized his last rites assuming that he died in an encounter with security forces. Meanwhile, Shyam was arrested by a team of Imphal East District Police Commando from his residence on May 19 and handed over to Lamlai Police Station on May 20. After a case was registered against him by the police, he was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate/Imphal East. The court remanded him to police custody till May 27. As the period of the remand has ended, he was again produced before the court today wherein he pleaded to grant him bail. Admitting his plea, the court granted him bail after conducting hearing of the case. (Courtesy of northeasttoday.in)
Home ministry vows to free activists
The military-controlled Ministry of Home Affairs says it will work to drop charges against political activists within 100 days.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said there were 64 political prisoners behind bars and 174 activists facing charges at the end of April.
The ministry announced that it would free 440 prisoners, including two children, after cancelling 256 cases within 100 days.
It also announced a four-part plan on crime prevention and on how to establish the rule of law across the country also within 100 days. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said there were 64 political prisoners behind bars and 174 activists facing charges at the end of April.
The ministry announced that it would free 440 prisoners, including two children, after cancelling 256 cases within 100 days.
It also announced a four-part plan on crime prevention and on how to establish the rule of law across the country also within 100 days. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Government still identifying nationality of refugees at Belantik depot
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government is still in the process of identifying the nationality of the refugees at the Belantik detention depot in Sik, Kedah.
He said it would determine whether they are Rohingyas or Bangladeshi nationals who are victims of human trafficking.
"We are still checking whether they are really Rohingyas or Bangladeshis because there are no documents being issued to them by either the Bangladeshi or the Myanmar government," he told reporters after welcoming the arrival of the second group of Syrian migrants here, today.
Ahmad Zahid told this to reporters when asked on an Amnesty International report today on the conditions of 'boat people' that are still been detained at the detention depot. (Courtesy of thesundaily.my)
He said it would determine whether they are Rohingyas or Bangladeshi nationals who are victims of human trafficking.
"We are still checking whether they are really Rohingyas or Bangladeshis because there are no documents being issued to them by either the Bangladeshi or the Myanmar government," he told reporters after welcoming the arrival of the second group of Syrian migrants here, today.
Ahmad Zahid told this to reporters when asked on an Amnesty International report today on the conditions of 'boat people' that are still been detained at the detention depot. (Courtesy of thesundaily.my)
One year on, no justice for the ‘boat crisis’ survivors in M’sia
Hundreds of refugees who survived the 2015 boat crisis in South-East Asia have been locked up in poor conditions in Malaysia ever since, Amnesty International said, following a visit to the country to investigate the fate of people one year on.
After harrowing footage of desperate refugees and migrants stranded at sea was beamed around the world last May, Malaysia agreed to accept 1,100 people. Almost 400 of those were identified as Rohingya refugees - people fleeing persecution in Myanmar. One year on, the majority of the Rohingya remain in Malaysia’s Belantik detention centre.
“We went to Malaysia to investigate the fate of the boat crisis survivors and found that, for hundreds of them, the suffering and human rights abuse continue,” said Khairunissa Dhala, a refugee expert at Amnesty International. (Courtesy of malaysiakini.com)
After harrowing footage of desperate refugees and migrants stranded at sea was beamed around the world last May, Malaysia agreed to accept 1,100 people. Almost 400 of those were identified as Rohingya refugees - people fleeing persecution in Myanmar. One year on, the majority of the Rohingya remain in Malaysia’s Belantik detention centre.
“We went to Malaysia to investigate the fate of the boat crisis survivors and found that, for hundreds of them, the suffering and human rights abuse continue,” said Khairunissa Dhala, a refugee expert at Amnesty International. (Courtesy of malaysiakini.com)
Rohingyas: Abandoned in their own land
Currently world’s most damned and the condemned displaced ethnic minority group of people are the Rohingyas of Arakan State of Myanmar, most of who are Muslims by faith (1.3 million in Myanmar). With the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) sweeping to power in the recent election, held after about more than half a century of military rule, the democracy loving people and international community saw hopes for the condemned Rohingyas. Suu Kyi dreamt that she would be the President of the new government but in Myanmar still the army has the last say and retains considerable amount of power in the government and parliament. They amended the Constitution and incorporated a clause saying whoever is married to a foreigner cannot hold the post of the President of the country. That sealed the fate of Suu Kyi. But Suu Kyi made it clear that whoever sits in that chair will be her proxy and she will run the government from behind the scenes. For many the return to democracy of Myanmar after decades of military rule could either become a proxy military rule or even the entire exercise of democracy may collapse before it takes off. The military still controls most of the important state machinery. However, when Aung San Suu Kyi won the election and her party formed the government the Rohingyas saw hope under the new regime but their hope seems to be fast fading, just within seven months after the democratically held election. Rohingyas have been persecuted since the British left Myanmar in 1948. Recently when US Foreign Minister John Kerry visited Yangon and raised the issue with Suu Kyi she said she needs time to address the issue and at the same time she refused to acknowledge that there are any Rohingyas in Myanmar. She, like most of the Buddhists in Myanmar, sees Rohingyas as illegal settlers from Bangladesh though historical evidence shows that Rohingya Muslims have been living in the Arakan State (according to the Burmese Rakhine State) since 16th century. Many historians have proved that the original settlers of the Muslims in the Arakan were Arabs and over the century due to intermarriage between the settlers and the inhabitants of the adjacent Chittagong district of present day Bangladesh there were cross border migration. Only the Naf River separates the Arakan State from greater Chittagong. (Courtesy of daily-sun.com)
May 28, 2016
Oslo conference opens with calls for citizenship, rights for Rohingya
Some of the world’s most influential voices on Burma participated in an urgently organised conference on Southeast Asia’s Rohingya migrant crisis in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Special Rapporteur to Burma Prof. Yanghee Lee and Malaysia’s former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammad, were among those who took part in the ‘Oslo conference to end Myanmar’s persecution of Rohingya since 1976’, which was held at the Norwegian Institute and Vorksenaasan Conference Centre.
The recent influx of migrants into Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia who had been abandoned at sea following a Thai crackdown on trafficking has led to increased international attention on the situation of the Rohingya in recent weeks. The International Organization for Migration said that over 3,600 people had disembarked in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh since the beginning of the crisis. (Courtesy of dvb.no)
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Special Rapporteur to Burma Prof. Yanghee Lee and Malaysia’s former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammad, were among those who took part in the ‘Oslo conference to end Myanmar’s persecution of Rohingya since 1976’, which was held at the Norwegian Institute and Vorksenaasan Conference Centre.
The recent influx of migrants into Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia who had been abandoned at sea following a Thai crackdown on trafficking has led to increased international attention on the situation of the Rohingya in recent weeks. The International Organization for Migration said that over 3,600 people had disembarked in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh since the beginning of the crisis. (Courtesy of dvb.no)
Debate Over Burma’s Household Guest Registration Law Intensifies
A bill to amend and repeal sections of Burma’s colonial-era law requiring citizens to report overnight guests continues to face hurdles in Parliament.
Drafted and submitted to the Upper House of Parliament by the Bill Committee in early May, a bill revoking all sections of the original Ward or Village Tract Administration Law referring to overnight guest registration was tabled by elected parliamentarians and military lawmakers from May 20 until May 24. It was met with divided opinions.
Maintaining that there was no need for the new bill, military lawmakers said that national security would be in jeopardy if the bill were approved, while National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers argued that the new bill aligned with democratic norms and preserved freedom of movement for citizens. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Drafted and submitted to the Upper House of Parliament by the Bill Committee in early May, a bill revoking all sections of the original Ward or Village Tract Administration Law referring to overnight guest registration was tabled by elected parliamentarians and military lawmakers from May 20 until May 24. It was met with divided opinions.
Maintaining that there was no need for the new bill, military lawmakers said that national security would be in jeopardy if the bill were approved, while National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers argued that the new bill aligned with democratic norms and preserved freedom of movement for citizens. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Suu Kyi: Development key to stabilizing Rakhine State
Myanmar’s state counselor-cum-foreign minister Aung San Suu Kyi has underlined that economic development is the key to stability in a troubled impoverished western state that is home to a majority of the country’s Rohingya Muslim population.
State media reported Saturday that the leader of the country's ruling National League for Democracy had discussed matters related to peace and tranquility in Rakhine, development undertakings and a citizenship verification process with cabinet members and the chief minister of the state's regional government in political capital Nay Pyi Taw on Friday.
“Aung San Suu Kyi said she believes the peace and stability of Rakhine state depends on development,” a government official from the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population told Anadolu Agency on Saturday. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
State media reported Saturday that the leader of the country's ruling National League for Democracy had discussed matters related to peace and tranquility in Rakhine, development undertakings and a citizenship verification process with cabinet members and the chief minister of the state's regional government in political capital Nay Pyi Taw on Friday.
“Aung San Suu Kyi said she believes the peace and stability of Rakhine state depends on development,” a government official from the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population told Anadolu Agency on Saturday. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
TOP UN OFFICIAL IN MYANMAR DENIES RAKHINE ALLEGATIONS
The United Nations resident coordinator, Ms Renata Lok-Dessallien, has denied that the UN was prioritising development over human rights in Rakhine State.
Ms Lok-Dessallien, the highest ranking UN official in Myanmar, was responding to a series of allegations published by VICE News on May 22.
The news website said the allegations were made in a independent report commissioned by the UN to review “the human rights implications” of its record in Rakhine, titled: “A slippery slope: Helping victims or supporting victims of abuse.”
The report found that the “situation in Rakhine state is forcing international institutions into complicity with systematic abuses” against Rohingya Muslims, partly because of “excessive self-censorship” on rights issues. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Ms Lok-Dessallien, the highest ranking UN official in Myanmar, was responding to a series of allegations published by VICE News on May 22.
The news website said the allegations were made in a independent report commissioned by the UN to review “the human rights implications” of its record in Rakhine, titled: “A slippery slope: Helping victims or supporting victims of abuse.”
The report found that the “situation in Rakhine state is forcing international institutions into complicity with systematic abuses” against Rohingya Muslims, partly because of “excessive self-censorship” on rights issues. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Manipur ambush update: Army combing operations across Indo-Myanmar border
Unconfirmed reports have arrived of army combing operations from across the border in Myanmar.
This comes post the militants’ ambush carried out which killed a junior commissioned officer and five soldiers of the Assam Rifles were in the afternoon of May 22. The Army has since said it will hit back hard on the militants and news now comes that the combing operations to nab insurgents responsible for gunning down the six personnel has crossed over the border where targets were hit.
It may be be noted that the Indo-Myanmar border is about 25-30 km from Joupi in Chandel district, where the Assam Rifles convoy was ambushed recently. (Courtesy of thenortheasttoday.com)
This comes post the militants’ ambush carried out which killed a junior commissioned officer and five soldiers of the Assam Rifles were in the afternoon of May 22. The Army has since said it will hit back hard on the militants and news now comes that the combing operations to nab insurgents responsible for gunning down the six personnel has crossed over the border where targets were hit.
It may be be noted that the Indo-Myanmar border is about 25-30 km from Joupi in Chandel district, where the Assam Rifles convoy was ambushed recently. (Courtesy of thenortheasttoday.com)
Investing in peace in Myanmar
International Alert has contributed to a two-day workshop with the private sector in Myanmar exploring how the adoption of responsible business practices is crucial to supporting sustainable development in the country.
The workshop was organised by the Kaw Lah Foundation, with technical assistance from the Peace Nexus Foundation and the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), and aimed to raise awareness about conflict-sensitive business practices and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The importance of businesses engaging with their local communities to ensure they complied with the principles of “do no harm”, while also making positive contributions towards peace, was emphasised, with workshop facilitators using various tools and methods to ensure all participants understood the key messages. (Courtesy of international-alert.org)
The workshop was organised by the Kaw Lah Foundation, with technical assistance from the Peace Nexus Foundation and the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), and aimed to raise awareness about conflict-sensitive business practices and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The importance of businesses engaging with their local communities to ensure they complied with the principles of “do no harm”, while also making positive contributions towards peace, was emphasised, with workshop facilitators using various tools and methods to ensure all participants understood the key messages. (Courtesy of international-alert.org)
Vietnam invites Suu Kyi to talks
Vietnam has invited Aung San Suu Kyi to attend the ninth joint commission meeting for bilateral cooperation it is hosting.
The invitation was made when the foreign minister, Suu Kyi, received the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Vũ Hồng Nam at her office.
“We have regular bilateral meetings with Vietnam. The eighth meeting was held in Myanmar with the next in Vietnam. Our foreign minister was invited,” said Director General Kyaw Zaya from the foreign ministry. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The invitation was made when the foreign minister, Suu Kyi, received the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Vũ Hồng Nam at her office.
“We have regular bilateral meetings with Vietnam. The eighth meeting was held in Myanmar with the next in Vietnam. Our foreign minister was invited,” said Director General Kyaw Zaya from the foreign ministry. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Unleashing Myanmar’s agricultural potential
Myanmar’s unusually fertile soils and abundant water source are legendary in Southeast Asia. It is even said that Myanmar has the most favorable agricultural conditions in all of Asia. Almost anything can be grown in the country, from fruits to vegetables, from rice to pulses. The agriculture sector dominates the economy, contributing 38% of GDP, and employing more than 60% of the workforce. The importance of agriculture in the economy and as an employer will diminish in coming years as a result of structural transformation. However, the sector will continue to play a remarkable role in reducing poverty in Myanmar for many years to come.
Myanmar’s farming systems are well diversified. A recent farm economics study by the World Bank and LIFT (Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund) found that most farms produce paddy during monsoon season but grow a variety of other crops such as beans and pluses, oil seeds, and maize during dry season. This is a very positive development as it helps to strengthen resilience of farming systems and effectively manage water during dry spells. In addition, the rice consumption per person is lower than reported in official statistics (132 kg instead of reported 175 kg). This shows that people’s food basket consists of more proteins or vegetables in addition to rice, which is very important to combat Myanmar’s high levels of malnutrition. (Courtesy of blogs.worldbank.org)
Myanmar’s farming systems are well diversified. A recent farm economics study by the World Bank and LIFT (Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund) found that most farms produce paddy during monsoon season but grow a variety of other crops such as beans and pluses, oil seeds, and maize during dry season. This is a very positive development as it helps to strengthen resilience of farming systems and effectively manage water during dry spells. In addition, the rice consumption per person is lower than reported in official statistics (132 kg instead of reported 175 kg). This shows that people’s food basket consists of more proteins or vegetables in addition to rice, which is very important to combat Myanmar’s high levels of malnutrition. (Courtesy of blogs.worldbank.org)
Last of initial Nauru refugees leaves Cambodia for Iran
An Iranian man who arrived in Cambodia last year as part of a group of refugees that took up a costly and controversial Australian resettlement offer has already left the Southeast Asian country after less than a year.
His departure, which was confirmed Friday by International Organization for Migration (IOM) spokesman Joe Lowry, means none of that original group remains in Cambodia, where they were transferred after being detained by Australia on the South Pacific island of Nauru. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
His departure, which was confirmed Friday by International Organization for Migration (IOM) spokesman Joe Lowry, means none of that original group remains in Cambodia, where they were transferred after being detained by Australia on the South Pacific island of Nauru. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
The Andaman Sea refugee crisis a year on: is the region now better prepared?
If progress toward a “fix” on future forced displacement crises such as that which took place in the Andaman Sea a year ago was measured in the number of regional meetings that have taken place, it would be plentiful.
Since the temporary resolution of the crisis was announced on May 29, 2015, at the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean in Bangkok, there have been an unprecedented number of meetings in the region. (Courtesy of theconversation.com)
Since the temporary resolution of the crisis was announced on May 29, 2015, at the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean in Bangkok, there have been an unprecedented number of meetings in the region. (Courtesy of theconversation.com)
36 Rohingya refugees resettled in the US
One year after landing in Malaysia, following a harrowing ordeal in the Bay of Bengal, 36 Rohingya refugees have been resettled in the United States.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the 36 refugees departed Malaysia early Thursday morning under its resettlement programme.
The refugees had been released from the Belantik Immigration Detention Centre the previous afternoon. (Courtesy of thestar.com.my)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the 36 refugees departed Malaysia early Thursday morning under its resettlement programme.
The refugees had been released from the Belantik Immigration Detention Centre the previous afternoon. (Courtesy of thestar.com.my)
May 27, 2016
Report on political prisoner rehabilitation released
The call was made yesterday by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the Former Political Prisoners Society (FPPS) as they released a joint report on the challenges faced by ex-political prisoners trying to reintegrate into society.
Advocates said at the report’s launch in Yangon that the government must take three steps to reduce the number of political prisoners: stop civil war, amend the constitution and other laws to remove unfair provisions, and establish a judiciary in which the people can place their trust. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Advocates said at the report’s launch in Yangon that the government must take three steps to reduce the number of political prisoners: stop civil war, amend the constitution and other laws to remove unfair provisions, and establish a judiciary in which the people can place their trust. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
MYANMAR MIGRANTS IN HONG KONG LIMBO
The air onboard is stifling and the stench of decay fills every corner of the vessel. For more than six months, Ko Maung Yin Maung has been stranded on a casino ship in Hong Kong, enduring awful living conditions. It has been six months since he last spoke to his wife in Yangon, with a heart full of guilt and just a few dollars in his pocket. It was about six months ago that his employer stopped paying his monthly wage of US$450 (about K524,000).
Maung Yin Maung, 38, has been working on the New Imperial Star for eight months. He had previously worked on another casino ship for six months.
“The owner told the Burmese crew that they will be receiving a portion of their wages before Burmese new year,” said Maung Yin Maung. “I promised my family that I would come back home in the new year.”
It was not long after he was finally able to send some money to his wife, whom he had told at the last minute about his decision to work on a ship in Hong Kong, that his pay stopped. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Maung Yin Maung, 38, has been working on the New Imperial Star for eight months. He had previously worked on another casino ship for six months.
“The owner told the Burmese crew that they will be receiving a portion of their wages before Burmese new year,” said Maung Yin Maung. “I promised my family that I would come back home in the new year.”
It was not long after he was finally able to send some money to his wife, whom he had told at the last minute about his decision to work on a ship in Hong Kong, that his pay stopped. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Rohingya trafficking victims stuck in captivity, one year on
Hundreds of trafficking victims from Myanmar and Bangladesh remain detained in Malaysia a year after being rescued from near-certain death at sea during the Asian migration crisis.
In total, 390 trafficking victims – 325 Rohingya and 65 Bangladeshis – have spent the past year in detention, despite nominally being freed from captivity in May 2015, in research Amnesty will be publishing in the coming weeks.
Their plight drew the world’s attention this time last year after it was discovered that they had been abandoned by their traffickers and left to drift at sea on packed trawlers without any food. (Courtesy of theguardian.com)
In total, 390 trafficking victims – 325 Rohingya and 65 Bangladeshis – have spent the past year in detention, despite nominally being freed from captivity in May 2015, in research Amnesty will be publishing in the coming weeks.
Their plight drew the world’s attention this time last year after it was discovered that they had been abandoned by their traffickers and left to drift at sea on packed trawlers without any food. (Courtesy of theguardian.com)
Myanmar army chief meets with Prayut
THAILAND IS ready to work with the new government of Myanmar and expand cooperation in all aspects, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday told Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s armed forces.
The Myanmar general is in Bangkok for a three-day official visit ending today at the invitation of Thailand's Armed Forces.
Prayut told the general that the two countries' armies would cooperate more closely particularly on security and border development issues. The prime minister added that he was glad that senior officials of both countries met regularly to develop relations and cooperate for the benefit of people.
Min Aung Hlaing is the most senior Myanmar official to visit Thailand since the new government took power after the general election in November. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
The Myanmar general is in Bangkok for a three-day official visit ending today at the invitation of Thailand's Armed Forces.
Prayut told the general that the two countries' armies would cooperate more closely particularly on security and border development issues. The prime minister added that he was glad that senior officials of both countries met regularly to develop relations and cooperate for the benefit of people.
Min Aung Hlaing is the most senior Myanmar official to visit Thailand since the new government took power after the general election in November. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
EU Sanctions renewed until 2017
The European Union has renewed its sanctions on Myanmar until 30 April 2017. The measures impose an embargo on providingMyanmar with arms and goods that might be used for internal repression. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Suu Kyi kick-starts peace process
Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi in her role as state counsellor, is taking concrete steps to kick-start the country's beleaguered peace process and will address a newly appointed peace committee later today. Everything has been in abeyance, since eight ethnic groups signed a national ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the Thein Sein government last October, but some eight others refused to participate.
But before convening this new committee, which will oversee the peace talks and political discussions on making Myanmar a federal state, she had several secret meetings with four senior representatives of the military, including the army chief, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
But before convening this new committee, which will oversee the peace talks and political discussions on making Myanmar a federal state, she had several secret meetings with four senior representatives of the military, including the army chief, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
Myanmar Government to Let Blacklisted Democracy Activists Return From Exile
The Myanmar government will allow exiled opposition activists who are still on an official “no-entry” blacklist to return to the Southeast Asian country within 100 days, said deputy foreign affairs minister Kyaw Tin on Thursday.
The move is the latest effort by the new civilian-led government under President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to make right the wrongs of the past in their push for democratic reform and development in Myanmar.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on granting full rights and protections to those who return, the same as they have received in the countries where they have been living, as well as remove their names from the country’s immigration blacklist, Kyaw Tin said. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
The move is the latest effort by the new civilian-led government under President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to make right the wrongs of the past in their push for democratic reform and development in Myanmar.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on granting full rights and protections to those who return, the same as they have received in the countries where they have been living, as well as remove their names from the country’s immigration blacklist, Kyaw Tin said. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
Shells hit Indian border bridge
Residents have called for tighter border security after both heavy and light weapons were fired at Nanthalet bridge between Mintha and Myothit villages in Tamu district, Sagaing Region, on the Indian border on May 25. No casualties were reported.
"Villagers told me by phone that the weapons were fired from India at the bridge when people were crossing it. Shells were also found there. A dog died but no one lives there," said Myint Zaw, chairman of Tamu Township National League for Democracy.
He said the bridge had been damaged three times, in 2012, 2014 and now. Before 2012, there was a checkpoint near the bridge and villagers wanted security measures to return, he added. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
"Villagers told me by phone that the weapons were fired from India at the bridge when people were crossing it. Shells were also found there. A dog died but no one lives there," said Myint Zaw, chairman of Tamu Township National League for Democracy.
He said the bridge had been damaged three times, in 2012, 2014 and now. Before 2012, there was a checkpoint near the bridge and villagers wanted security measures to return, he added. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Farewell reception for the Indian Ambassador
Indian Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya says he will miss Myanmar.
Speaking at a farewell reception on Tuesday, he said: “I almost feel astrologically connected to this country.”
The Indian ambassador will soon leave office after completing his three-year-mission in Myanmar and return to India. Apparently touched by this experience he underlined the kindness and loveliness of the country and its people. “I feel very much at home here,” he said. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Speaking at a farewell reception on Tuesday, he said: “I almost feel astrologically connected to this country.”
The Indian ambassador will soon leave office after completing his three-year-mission in Myanmar and return to India. Apparently touched by this experience he underlined the kindness and loveliness of the country and its people. “I feel very much at home here,” he said. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Minister to meet student representatives
Student Unions and the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) have formed the Nationwide Federation of Student Unions which will meet Education Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi at the Higher Education Department on May 29.
The new federation is asking to discuss student participation in the Advanced Education Bill, to allow student unions to form officially and to establish cooperation with the government, said representative Zeyar Lwin.
“It’s the first meeting between the new government and students. The minister invited us,” Zeyar Lwin said. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
The new federation is asking to discuss student participation in the Advanced Education Bill, to allow student unions to form officially and to establish cooperation with the government, said representative Zeyar Lwin.
“It’s the first meeting between the new government and students. The minister invited us,” Zeyar Lwin said. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Some Myanmar citizens reject Suu Kyi's call to avoid terms like 'Rohingya' and 'Bengali'
Some Myanmar citizens have rejected their State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s suggestion to avoid the use of terms like "Rohingya" or "Bengali" to describe the beleaguered community.
Ms Suu Kyi said the terms will not help resolve the discrimination against them. The Rohingyas have said they should be recognised as one Myanmar's ethnic groups, while the government said they are Bengalis, who are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
“The reason why I said we have got to be very firm about not using emotive terms is because emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution of our problems,” said Ms Suu Kyi. She did not offer an alternative name for the community.
Some Rohingyas are concerned about the repercussions of not being able to use the term. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Ms Suu Kyi said the terms will not help resolve the discrimination against them. The Rohingyas have said they should be recognised as one Myanmar's ethnic groups, while the government said they are Bengalis, who are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
“The reason why I said we have got to be very firm about not using emotive terms is because emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution of our problems,” said Ms Suu Kyi. She did not offer an alternative name for the community.
Some Rohingyas are concerned about the repercussions of not being able to use the term. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Speaker nixes proposals to debate recent fighting
Two MPs who tried to urge parliament to act to stop outbreaks of fighting in Rakhine and Shan states say they have been sidelined by the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker. Last week, Daw Khin Saw Wai, an Arakan National Party MP for Rathedaung township, Rakhine State, tried to submit an urgent proposal pressing the government to support the delivery of aid to displaced people in the north of the state. Speaker U Win Myint rejected the proposal.
And when Shan State’s Manton township MP Daw Nan Moe made a similar proposal on May 23 for aid to displaced families, the Speaker asked her to frame her remarks in a way that would not oblige the government to act.
“When I was about to submit an urgent proposal about displaced people and about education for displaced children, the Speaker asked me to change my proposal into a question,” Daw Nan Moe told The Myanmar Times on May 25. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
And when Shan State’s Manton township MP Daw Nan Moe made a similar proposal on May 23 for aid to displaced families, the Speaker asked her to frame her remarks in a way that would not oblige the government to act.
“When I was about to submit an urgent proposal about displaced people and about education for displaced children, the Speaker asked me to change my proposal into a question,” Daw Nan Moe told The Myanmar Times on May 25. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
May 26, 2016
Justice for Rohingya Refugees
After the Holocaust, the world decried “never again,” yet reports of a persecuted religious minority group endure: the Rohingya Muslims’ loss of citizenship, forced displacement, and denial of basic human rights in Myanmar eerily parallel the notorious events that occurred in mid-twentieth century Germany.
The National League for Democracy (NLD), an opposition party to the decades-long military rulers of Myanmar, won a landslide victory in the country’s first democratically held elections in November 2015. Yet the party’s leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has repeatedly evaded questions addressing the persecution of the Rohingya. The United States needs to rally the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to press the NLD to reform policies of systematic oppression and violence. (Courtesy of iar-gwu.org)
The National League for Democracy (NLD), an opposition party to the decades-long military rulers of Myanmar, won a landslide victory in the country’s first democratically held elections in November 2015. Yet the party’s leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has repeatedly evaded questions addressing the persecution of the Rohingya. The United States needs to rally the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to press the NLD to reform policies of systematic oppression and violence. (Courtesy of iar-gwu.org)
Myanmar Government to Return Seized Land to Farmers in Sagaing Region
Myanmar’s government plans to return 2,500 acres of confiscated land to farmers in Tant-Se township in the country’s northwestern Sagaing region, more than 35 years after it was taken, an agriculture ministry official said Tuesday.
In 1980, the Burma Socialist Programme Party confiscated nearly 4,000 acres of the township’s land in Shwebo district for a government farm project named “Wet Toe,” Win Tun, deputy minister for agriculture, livestock and irrigation, told lawmakers in the lower house of parliament in Naypyidaw.
The party was formed by the regime led by military commander Ne Win that seized power in 1962, and was the only political party legally permitted to exist from 1974 until it broke up after a popular uprising in 1988. It instituted socialist policies that included land seizures and control of agricultural production. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
In 1980, the Burma Socialist Programme Party confiscated nearly 4,000 acres of the township’s land in Shwebo district for a government farm project named “Wet Toe,” Win Tun, deputy minister for agriculture, livestock and irrigation, told lawmakers in the lower house of parliament in Naypyidaw.
The party was formed by the regime led by military commander Ne Win that seized power in 1962, and was the only political party legally permitted to exist from 1974 until it broke up after a popular uprising in 1988. It instituted socialist policies that included land seizures and control of agricultural production. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
Time is running out for Rohingya minority
Poppy McPherson’s article (Report, 24 May) paints a vivid picture of the growing persecution faced by Rohingyas. A developing national pride in Myanmar seems to be going hand in hand with greater threats towards marginalised minorities. And the recent dispute between the US ambassador and Aung San Suu Kyi over using the term Rohingya has drawn attention to their easy dismissal in Myanmar, where they are seen as foreigners. (Courtesy of theguardian.com)
Forthcoming Govt Body Aims to Get More Aid to More People
Burma’s government intends to form a donor coordination body to scrutinize the country’s foreign aid so that it flows to where it is needed most.
According to the President’s Office, this new government body, set to be established soon, will be responsible for reviewing all international aid intended for use by the government for projects relating to national development and national planning.
“The donor coordination body will be formed by the government to ensure that aid, especially aid in the government sector, reaches its intended recipients,” said Zaw Htay, President’s Office spokesperson.
He added that this is also to avoid overlap and poor management of funds. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
According to the President’s Office, this new government body, set to be established soon, will be responsible for reviewing all international aid intended for use by the government for projects relating to national development and national planning.
“The donor coordination body will be formed by the government to ensure that aid, especially aid in the government sector, reaches its intended recipients,” said Zaw Htay, President’s Office spokesperson.
He added that this is also to avoid overlap and poor management of funds. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Embattled Ethnic Armed Groups Cast Doubt on Suu Kyi’s Peace Drive
The varying approaches of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing towards the peace process do not inspire confidence in its speedy resolution. But equally worrisome is the growing doubt over Suu Kyi’s mooted “21st Century Panglong Conference” displayed by key ethnic armed groups that have come under considerable attack from the Burma Army in the last six months.
Suu Kyi has signaled her desire to include all of Burma’s ethnic armed groups in the looming peace talks, but troops serving under Min Aung Hlaing have conducted intensifying campaigns against ethnic armed groups that refused to sign—or were excluded from signing—the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October last year. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Suu Kyi has signaled her desire to include all of Burma’s ethnic armed groups in the looming peace talks, but troops serving under Min Aung Hlaing have conducted intensifying campaigns against ethnic armed groups that refused to sign—or were excluded from signing—the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October last year. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
USDP Sets Sights On 2020 Comeback
Chairman of Burma’s previous ruling party, Thein Sein, urged the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) to reform in order to win the election in 2020—a clear statement that the USDP is trying to make a comeback after a humiliating election defeat at the hands of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) last year.
“Despite the many reasons [for our loss], the main cause is weakness in the party’s central and lower levels. We all have to collaborate to review those weaknesses and reform the party to achieve success in the next election,” said the former Burmese president during his meeting with more than 500 party members in Rangoon on Monday, according to the party’s mouthpiece, The Union Daily.
Thein Sein left office in late March when he handed over power to President Htin Kyaw of the NLD government. The USDP, mostly made up of high-ranking former army officers, contested seats in more than 1,000 constituencies but only won 116. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
“Despite the many reasons [for our loss], the main cause is weakness in the party’s central and lower levels. We all have to collaborate to review those weaknesses and reform the party to achieve success in the next election,” said the former Burmese president during his meeting with more than 500 party members in Rangoon on Monday, according to the party’s mouthpiece, The Union Daily.
Thein Sein left office in late March when he handed over power to President Htin Kyaw of the NLD government. The USDP, mostly made up of high-ranking former army officers, contested seats in more than 1,000 constituencies but only won 116. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
May 25, 2016
EU and US Sanctions Updates on Burma/Myanmar
EU renews its sanctions on Burma/Myanmar until 30 April 2017. These measures impose an embargo on providing Burma/Myanmar with arms and goods that might be used for internal repression. Council Decision 2016/627 amends Decision 2013/184/CFSP. (Courtesy of lexology.com)
Former ABSDF chairmen denied entry visas
Dr Naing Aung and Moe Thee Zun, the former chairmen of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), both former citizens of Myanmar, have been denied entry visas to visit the country.
“We continuously fought for the release of Daw Suu (Aung San Suu Kyi). We also fought for the release of Min Ko Naing and other political prisoners. But now, no one helps us get visas. We feel sad. We have been living in exile for 27 years to fight for Myanmar's democracy reform," said Moe Thee Zun.
Under the new government, measures are reportedly being taken to give more protection to former Myanmar citizens and those working abroad. In so doing, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population is also easing restrictions on entry visa applicants. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
“We continuously fought for the release of Daw Suu (Aung San Suu Kyi). We also fought for the release of Min Ko Naing and other political prisoners. But now, no one helps us get visas. We feel sad. We have been living in exile for 27 years to fight for Myanmar's democracy reform," said Moe Thee Zun.
Under the new government, measures are reportedly being taken to give more protection to former Myanmar citizens and those working abroad. In so doing, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population is also easing restrictions on entry visa applicants. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Turkish NGO to provide iftar meals for refugees during holy month of Ramadan
An NGO linked to Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) outlined its charity aid work Tuesday for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan and beyond, including iftar (fast-breaking) meals and vital supplies to people in war-torn countries.
Mustafa Tutkun, head of the Turkish Diyanet Foundation (TDV), said the group will provide refugees in Turkey with iftar meals during Ramadan -- the sunrise-to-sunset fasting holy month, falling on June 5-July 6 this year.
Turkey adopted an open-door policy towards Syrian refugees in 2011, opening its borders to people fleeing the civil war, and now hosts around 3 million refugees. (Courtesy of dailysabah.com)
Mustafa Tutkun, head of the Turkish Diyanet Foundation (TDV), said the group will provide refugees in Turkey with iftar meals during Ramadan -- the sunrise-to-sunset fasting holy month, falling on June 5-July 6 this year.
Turkey adopted an open-door policy towards Syrian refugees in 2011, opening its borders to people fleeing the civil war, and now hosts around 3 million refugees. (Courtesy of dailysabah.com)
Human trafficking rings sabotaging myIMM
Human trafficking syndicates are to blame for the Malaysian Immigration System (myIMM) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, being compromised.
A report in the Turkish news portal Anadolu Agency said the system was found to have been downed deliberately once a day by international traffickers to allow the movement of illegal migrants in and out of the country.
“The system is believed to have been switched off deliberately, so when the system [appeared] crashed, passports would be stamped manually,” it quoted a source as saying. (Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com)
A report in the Turkish news portal Anadolu Agency said the system was found to have been downed deliberately once a day by international traffickers to allow the movement of illegal migrants in and out of the country.
“The system is believed to have been switched off deliberately, so when the system [appeared] crashed, passports would be stamped manually,” it quoted a source as saying. (Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com)
Police officer faces murder charges for death of Rohingya detainee
Police are preparing to file charges of murder with intent against a police officer who shot a Rohingya man after a group of 21 Rohingya men escaped from Phang Nga Immigration Detention Center early Monday morning. (story here).
“According to witnesses, Muhammad Kornee, 18, threw a big rock at one of the officers and the officer used his gun to defend himself,” said Capt Chatree Pienkayai of the Phang Nga City Police. (Courtesy of phuketgazette.net)
“According to witnesses, Muhammad Kornee, 18, threw a big rock at one of the officers and the officer used his gun to defend himself,” said Capt Chatree Pienkayai of the Phang Nga City Police. (Courtesy of phuketgazette.net)
Burma Government Must Heed US Stance on Rohingya
With US sanctions on Burma being extended with amendments, and US Secretary of State, John Kerry paying a visit to the country, US policy on Burma has become clarified. It will continue to engage and support the country, especially in facilitating free markets and investment, yet reservations around the military’s role in the political domain, certain crony individuals and businesses, and the continued persecution of the Rohingya convey the message that support is not absolute, and more reforms need to take place.
On 17 May, 2016, US sanctions were extended by another 12 months with certain amendments. All banks in Burma have now been taken off the sanctions list, thus making it easier for US businesses to operate, yet certain individuals with close ties with the military and the former regime remain on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, thus barring any US businesses from dealing with them. The ban on businesses investing in jade and other precious stones remains. President Barack Obama, when notifying Congress, explained the reasoning behind the continued sanctions, “The political opening remains nascent, and concerns persist regarding ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in ethnic minority areas, particularly in Rakhine [Arakan] State, and the continued role of the military in the country’s political and economic activities.” (Courtesy of burmapartnership.org)
On 17 May, 2016, US sanctions were extended by another 12 months with certain amendments. All banks in Burma have now been taken off the sanctions list, thus making it easier for US businesses to operate, yet certain individuals with close ties with the military and the former regime remain on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, thus barring any US businesses from dealing with them. The ban on businesses investing in jade and other precious stones remains. President Barack Obama, when notifying Congress, explained the reasoning behind the continued sanctions, “The political opening remains nascent, and concerns persist regarding ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in ethnic minority areas, particularly in Rakhine [Arakan] State, and the continued role of the military in the country’s political and economic activities.” (Courtesy of burmapartnership.org)
Eliminating Statelessness in Southeast Asia
The government of Myanmar has come under fire this month following Aung San Suu Kyi’s rebuke of U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel’s reference to the Rohingya, the estimated one million stateless Muslim inhabitants of Myanmar’s Western Rakhine State. Aung San Suu Kyi’s government refuses to fully confront the issue of the Rohingya, who have been denied equal access to citizenship since the passage of the 1982 Citizenship Law. The denial of citizenship has compounded human rights abuses, rising to the crime of genocide, according to an October study by Fortify Rights. The persecution of the Rohingya has deservedly captured increasing international attention in recent years, although greater awareness and mobilization is needed. The plight of statelessness remains a universal challenge.
Around the world, there are an estimated 15 million stateless people. According to the UNHCR, somewhere a stateless child is born every 10 minutes and within the countries hosting the 20 largest stateless populations some 70,000 stateless children are born every year. In 2014, the UNHCR announced its Campaign to end Statelessness in ten years. The same year, the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion reported that more people in Asia and the Pacific are affected by statelessness than in any other region of the world. How ASEAN addresses this challenge will be key to achieving the UN’s objective of eradicating statelessness by 2024. (Courtesy of thediplomat.com)
Around the world, there are an estimated 15 million stateless people. According to the UNHCR, somewhere a stateless child is born every 10 minutes and within the countries hosting the 20 largest stateless populations some 70,000 stateless children are born every year. In 2014, the UNHCR announced its Campaign to end Statelessness in ten years. The same year, the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion reported that more people in Asia and the Pacific are affected by statelessness than in any other region of the world. How ASEAN addresses this challenge will be key to achieving the UN’s objective of eradicating statelessness by 2024. (Courtesy of thediplomat.com)
3,000 Rohingya Muslims have nowhere to go
Dil Mohammed, 71, is not sure if he wants to go back to Myanmar and neither does he want to live in a state of penury. He just wants to have good food and a clean bed to sleep. Emerging out of his plastic tent near Fatima Masjid at Balapur, Dil just wants a refugee status and a settlement.
With certain death staring at them and hardly any chance of survival, 1,25,000 Rohingya Muslims had to flee from Myanmar during the 2012 Rakhine state riots. Nearly 3,000 of them have been living under plastic tents in Hyderabad
The plight of Rohingya Muslims, nearly 3,000 of them, who started making Hyderabad their temporary home since 2009 is no bed of roses. In each camp as they would like to call their colony, there are close to 60 families living in small plastic tents which are held together with bamboo. (Courtesy of thehansindia.com)
With certain death staring at them and hardly any chance of survival, 1,25,000 Rohingya Muslims had to flee from Myanmar during the 2012 Rakhine state riots. Nearly 3,000 of them have been living under plastic tents in Hyderabad
The plight of Rohingya Muslims, nearly 3,000 of them, who started making Hyderabad their temporary home since 2009 is no bed of roses. In each camp as they would like to call their colony, there are close to 60 families living in small plastic tents which are held together with bamboo. (Courtesy of thehansindia.com)
Activists urge inquiry after Rohingya shot in Thai detention centre breakout
Rights groups called on Tuesday for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of a Rohingya Muslim from Myanmar who was involved in a dramatic mass breakout from a detention centre in southern Thailand.
Twenty-one Rohingya men escaped from the Phang Nga Immigration Detention Centre in the early hours of Monday after sawing through an iron bar in their communal cell.
One was shot dead and three caught after they kicked, pushed and threw stones at police and immigration officers who chased them up a nearby mountain, police said.
Eleven more Rohingya were arrested on Tuesday and will be charged with fleeing detention, police said. Another four are still missing. (Courtesy of news.trust.org)
Twenty-one Rohingya men escaped from the Phang Nga Immigration Detention Centre in the early hours of Monday after sawing through an iron bar in their communal cell.
One was shot dead and three caught after they kicked, pushed and threw stones at police and immigration officers who chased them up a nearby mountain, police said.
Eleven more Rohingya were arrested on Tuesday and will be charged with fleeing detention, police said. Another four are still missing. (Courtesy of news.trust.org)
Aung Mingalar headcount shows population decrease
The enclave was held by security forces during the 2012 riots, and has been under armed guard since. Until recently, security around the perimeters had been relaxed somewhat, although the ghetto’s food supply still comes largely from the IDP camp market. Sources told The Myanmar Times yesterday that since the headcount, no one has been allowed in or out of the quarter.
Last week, a government official said some Rakhine residents had written to Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu asking for the population of Aung Mingalar to be counted because they feared that many more people had entered the quarter and were staying there illegally.
The official, who asked not to be named, said the complainants included local monks and elders from various civil society organisations. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Last week, a government official said some Rakhine residents had written to Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu asking for the population of Aung Mingalar to be counted because they feared that many more people had entered the quarter and were staying there illegally.
The official, who asked not to be named, said the complainants included local monks and elders from various civil society organisations. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
May 24, 2016
Eleven killed in landslide at Burma jade mine
At least 11 people have been killed by a landslide in a jade mine in northern Burma and many more are feared missing.
Rescue workers are searching for bodies after a wall of unstable earth collapsed during a downpour on Monday night in Hpakant, Kachin state, the war-torn area that feeds a huge demand for the precious stone in neighbouring China. (Courtesy of thetimes.co.uk)
Rescue workers are searching for bodies after a wall of unstable earth collapsed during a downpour on Monday night in Hpakant, Kachin state, the war-torn area that feeds a huge demand for the precious stone in neighbouring China. (Courtesy of thetimes.co.uk)
India-Burma: Border Perils – Analysis
The Myanmar operation will leave behind no lasting legacy beyond the sorry spectacle of people in high office claiming undeserved victories, seeking undeserved honours… This was a relatively minor operation, and will have only transient tactical and psychological significance. An operational success has been imposed, and the rebels, who have till now had almost undisturbed sanctuary in Myanmar, will lose their sense of impunity. Over time, however, they will adapt and draw deeper into the jungles and take fuller precautions against discovery and neutralization, unless the present operation is followed up by a more sustained and enveloping campaign. — “Covert should remain Covert” (Courtesy of eurasiareview.com)
Burma Army Accused of Killing, Burning Bodies of Shan Villagers
According to Kachin and Shan community leaders, the Burma Army is responsible for killing and burning the bodies of several villagers in northern Shan State.
Sai Tun Win, a state lawmaker with the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), said that on a recent visit to the Kyaukme area, he found at least eight burned corpses and that local Shan people had accused the Burma Army of the killings.
“We found three dead bodies—from Noung Kwan village—in one area and another five bodies in separate locations in and around Wow Long village,” Sai Tun Win said. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Sai Tun Win, a state lawmaker with the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), said that on a recent visit to the Kyaukme area, he found at least eight burned corpses and that local Shan people had accused the Burma Army of the killings.
“We found three dead bodies—from Noung Kwan village—in one area and another five bodies in separate locations in and around Wow Long village,” Sai Tun Win said. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Army Supports Peace Conference, Senior-General Says
The Burma Army supports the government’s proposed “Panglong-style” peace summit, but continued political participation rests on the country’s stability, said Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, during his meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Naypyidaw on Sunday.
The meeting followed talks between Kerry and Burma’s foreign affairs minister and de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
A Facebook post by Min Aung Hlaing said Kerry praised the Burma Army, also known as the Tatmadaw, for its role in the country’s historic political transition and for supporting a free and fair election last November, as it had earlier promised to do. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
The meeting followed talks between Kerry and Burma’s foreign affairs minister and de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
A Facebook post by Min Aung Hlaing said Kerry praised the Burma Army, also known as the Tatmadaw, for its role in the country’s historic political transition and for supporting a free and fair election last November, as it had earlier promised to do. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Thailand: Lawyers submit appeal for two Burmese migrants on death row for Koh Tao murders
A TEAM of lawyers representing two Burmese migrant workers on death row for the murder of a British couple in Koh Tao Island, Thailand, have submitted a 198 page appeal against the conviction.
Together with the pro bono lawyers, May Thein and Phyu Shwe Nu – the mothers of the accused, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo – traveled from Rakhine State in Burma to Thailand on Saturday to submit the appeal to the Koh Samui court today.
The mothers also visited their sons, both 22 years old, who have been held in the high security Bang Kwang Prison in Nonthaburi since January. (Courtesy of asiancorrespondent.com)
Together with the pro bono lawyers, May Thein and Phyu Shwe Nu – the mothers of the accused, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo – traveled from Rakhine State in Burma to Thailand on Saturday to submit the appeal to the Koh Samui court today.
The mothers also visited their sons, both 22 years old, who have been held in the high security Bang Kwang Prison in Nonthaburi since January. (Courtesy of asiancorrespondent.com)
A VETERAN'S RETURN TO RANGOON
Ken Joyce was bracing for a fight when his gunboat powered up the Yangon River on May 2, 1945.
The longest British campaign of World War II was drawing to a close. After years of retreat, General William Slim’s 14th Army was streaming south through central Myanmar, and the Japanese defeat seemed all but assured. Bogyoke Aung San’s Burma National Army had recently defected to the British side, and the race was on to capture Rangoon before the monsoon rains began.
But as the invasion force approached the city, in what was known as Operation Dracula, the ferocity and tenacity of the Japanese troops was never far from their mind. Few expected them to completely abandon the prized capital of then-Burma. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
The longest British campaign of World War II was drawing to a close. After years of retreat, General William Slim’s 14th Army was streaming south through central Myanmar, and the Japanese defeat seemed all but assured. Bogyoke Aung San’s Burma National Army had recently defected to the British side, and the race was on to capture Rangoon before the monsoon rains began.
But as the invasion force approached the city, in what was known as Operation Dracula, the ferocity and tenacity of the Japanese troops was never far from their mind. Few expected them to completely abandon the prized capital of then-Burma. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Rohingyas in Bangladesh Seek Recognition from Myanmar’s New Government
Stateless Rohingya Muslims who have been trapped for years in refugee camps in Bangladesh are looking to Myanmar’s new de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to help them return to Rakhine state as citizens.
But during a Sunday press conference alongside U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Nobel laureate and longtime leader of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement declined to utter the word “Rohingya, ” saying that the National League for Democracy (NLD) party -led government needed to be given room to solve the issue.
The word “Rohingya” was an “incendiary” term for Buddhists living in western Rakhine state, Suu Kyi told reporters in Naypyitaw. (Courtesy of benarnews.org)
But during a Sunday press conference alongside U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Nobel laureate and longtime leader of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement declined to utter the word “Rohingya, ” saying that the National League for Democracy (NLD) party -led government needed to be given room to solve the issue.
The word “Rohingya” was an “incendiary” term for Buddhists living in western Rakhine state, Suu Kyi told reporters in Naypyitaw. (Courtesy of benarnews.org)
Aung Mingalar Headcount Finds Population Steady: Sources
Local authorities and community leaders have completed a headcount of those living in the Muslim quarter of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, finding little to indicate, as was claimed, that the neighborhood’s population had swelled in recent years.
Often described as the city’s “Muslim ghetto,” the Aung Mingalar quarter is the last majority-Muslim enclave in Sittwe, with most of the capital’s other Muslims having fled inter-communal violence in 2012 that largely pitted the state’s Muslim Rohingya minority against Arakanese Buddhists.
Complainants last week argued that Aung Mingalar’s official population of just over 4,000 people was not reflective of the reality on the ground, where they claimed a government health care program being run inside the quarter had documented treatment of more than 10,000 people last year. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Often described as the city’s “Muslim ghetto,” the Aung Mingalar quarter is the last majority-Muslim enclave in Sittwe, with most of the capital’s other Muslims having fled inter-communal violence in 2012 that largely pitted the state’s Muslim Rohingya minority against Arakanese Buddhists.
Complainants last week argued that Aung Mingalar’s official population of just over 4,000 people was not reflective of the reality on the ground, where they claimed a government health care program being run inside the quarter had documented treatment of more than 10,000 people last year. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
One Rohingya Muslim shot dead in mass escape from Thai detention center
Thai police shot dead a Rohingya Muslim from Myanmar on Monday during a dramatic mass escape of detainees from an immigration camp in southern Thailand, police said.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Noppadon Rakchart said 21 Rohingya fled the Phangnga Immigration Detention Centre at about 1 a.m. after sawing through an iron bar in their communal cell.
One was shot dead and three arrested after throwing stones and punches at police and immigration officers who gave chase, said Noppadon. The other 17 escaped. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Police Lieutenant Colonel Noppadon Rakchart said 21 Rohingya fled the Phangnga Immigration Detention Centre at about 1 a.m. after sawing through an iron bar in their communal cell.
One was shot dead and three arrested after throwing stones and punches at police and immigration officers who gave chase, said Noppadon. The other 17 escaped. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
'No Muslims allowed' banner emerges in Myanmar
There is a brand new sign at Thaungtan village’s entrance which reads: “No Muslims allowed to stay overnight. No Muslims allowed to rent houses. No marriage with Muslims.”
According to reports, the post was set up in March by Buddhist residents of the village in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta region, who signed a document stating they wanted to live separately, according to The Guardian. (Courtesy of tribune.com.pk)
According to reports, the post was set up in March by Buddhist residents of the village in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta region, who signed a document stating they wanted to live separately, according to The Guardian. (Courtesy of tribune.com.pk)
Comment: Aung San Suu Kyi takes a step back over Rohingya Muslims
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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her recently elected government face mounting pressure from international rights groups to recognise stateless Muslim minorities residing in Myanmar. Despite her party’s landslide victory last November and her swift move to power as State Counsellor, improving her country’s human rights record is one challenge The Lady has not yet overcome.
When Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), prevailed against a decade-long military autocracy in last year’s democratic elections, the international community responded by easing economic sanctions. (Courtesy of sbs.com.au)
select name.lastname, address.city from person;
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her recently elected government face mounting pressure from international rights groups to recognise stateless Muslim minorities residing in Myanmar. Despite her party’s landslide victory last November and her swift move to power as State Counsellor, improving her country’s human rights record is one challenge The Lady has not yet overcome.
When Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), prevailed against a decade-long military autocracy in last year’s democratic elections, the international community responded by easing economic sanctions. (Courtesy of sbs.com.au)
Myanmar nationalists are calling for the US ambassador to be sent home
Buddhist nationalist demonstrators stepped up demands that the government recall the US ambassador amid a row over his use of the word ‘Rohingya’.
About 100 people, including monks, rallied in Yangon’s Bahan Township yesterday, shouting “No Rohingya in Myanmar”, the Myanmar Times reported.
“Former president U Thein Sein already announced there are no Rohingya in our country,” monk Pyin Nyein Da told the Times. “Now the NLD government has the duty to clarify the usage of the term ‘Rohingya’.” (Courtesy of yangon.coconuts.co)
About 100 people, including monks, rallied in Yangon’s Bahan Township yesterday, shouting “No Rohingya in Myanmar”, the Myanmar Times reported.
“Former president U Thein Sein already announced there are no Rohingya in our country,” monk Pyin Nyein Da told the Times. “Now the NLD government has the duty to clarify the usage of the term ‘Rohingya’.” (Courtesy of yangon.coconuts.co)
May 23, 2016
Myanmar's shame
Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her "non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights". Back then, she was a campaigner for those things, spending a total of 15 years under house arrest.
She knows what it's like to have rights and freedom taken away.
But now that she's in perhaps the ultimate position of power in Myanmar, there is no sign she is going to defend the rights of people who have been detained simply because of who they are.
Tens of thousands of Muslims, mainly Rohingya, have been kept in camps in western Myanmar's Rakhine State for almost four years since their homes and communities were attacked. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
She knows what it's like to have rights and freedom taken away.
But now that she's in perhaps the ultimate position of power in Myanmar, there is no sign she is going to defend the rights of people who have been detained simply because of who they are.
Tens of thousands of Muslims, mainly Rohingya, have been kept in camps in western Myanmar's Rakhine State for almost four years since their homes and communities were attacked. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
State counsellor urges avoidance of words ‘Rohingya’ and ‘Bengali’
Speaking for the first time since taking office about the issue of inter-communal violence in Rakhine State, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters in a press briefing yesterday that she did not support the use of either of the terms “Rohingya” or “Bengali”.
Meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry in Nay Pyi Taw, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who also serves as foreign minister, stressed that arguing about the nomenclature was not helpful to her administration’s effort in finding a workable solution for the conflict in Rakhine State.
“The reason why I said ‘you’ve got to be very firm about not using emotive terms’ is because such terms make it very difficult for us to find peaceful and sensible resolutions to our problems,” she said. She said the terms “Bengali” and “Rohingya” had created greater divisions between the two communities. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry in Nay Pyi Taw, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who also serves as foreign minister, stressed that arguing about the nomenclature was not helpful to her administration’s effort in finding a workable solution for the conflict in Rakhine State.
“The reason why I said ‘you’ve got to be very firm about not using emotive terms’ is because such terms make it very difficult for us to find peaceful and sensible resolutions to our problems,” she said. She said the terms “Bengali” and “Rohingya” had created greater divisions between the two communities. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Govt to launch citizenship scrutiny process
As a part of the immigration and population ministry’s 100-day plan, citizenship scrutiny will be carried out nationwide despite possible challenges, Minister U Thein Swe told the Pyithu Hluttaw on May 20.
“As a first priority and a part of the 100-days plan, we’ve already arranged a work program for the citizenship scrutinising process that will be carried out systematically across the country and in accordance with the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law,” U Thein Swe said.
The Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population replied to a proposal submitted by MP Daw Khin Saw Wai from Rakhine State.
In her proposal she called on the government to initiate a nationwide citizenship scrutinising program to deal with what she said is an increasing number of illegal immigrants. Other ethnic MPs seconded her proposal. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
“As a first priority and a part of the 100-days plan, we’ve already arranged a work program for the citizenship scrutinising process that will be carried out systematically across the country and in accordance with the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law,” U Thein Swe said.
The Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population replied to a proposal submitted by MP Daw Khin Saw Wai from Rakhine State.
In her proposal she called on the government to initiate a nationwide citizenship scrutinising program to deal with what she said is an increasing number of illegal immigrants. Other ethnic MPs seconded her proposal. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Cyclone Roanu leaves IDP residents more exposed
The first cyclonic system of the monsoon season appears to have passed over northwestern Rakhine State causing minimal disruption to its major centres, with initial reports indicating no casualties. Residents in makeshift shelters at IDP camps outside of Sittwe appeared yesterday to have suffered the worst brunt of the storm in Myanmar.
Cyclone Roanu, which has claimed at least 24 lives in Bangladesh and another dozen in Sri Lanka, according to AFP, made landfall on May 21, causing heavy rains and high winds across Myanmar.
In Buthidaung and Maungdaw, where the storm was strongest, no missing persons had been reported at the time of printing. The exact impact on coastal and inland villages remains unclear, with information still scarce as of last night. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Cyclone Roanu, which has claimed at least 24 lives in Bangladesh and another dozen in Sri Lanka, according to AFP, made landfall on May 21, causing heavy rains and high winds across Myanmar.
In Buthidaung and Maungdaw, where the storm was strongest, no missing persons had been reported at the time of printing. The exact impact on coastal and inland villages remains unclear, with information still scarce as of last night. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
'No Muslims allowed': how nationalism is rising in Aung San Suu Kyi's Myanmar
At the entrance to Thaungtan village there’s a brand new sign, bright yellow, and bearing a message: “No Muslims allowed to stay overnight. No Muslims allowed to rent houses. No marriage with Muslims.”
The post was erected in late March by Buddhist residents of the village in Myanmar’s lush Irrawaddy Delta region who signed, or were strong-armed into signing, a document asserting that they wanted to live separately.
Since then a couple of other villages across the country have followed suit. Small but viciously insular, these “Buddhist-only” outposts serve as microcosms of the festering religious tensions that threaten Myanmar’s nascent experiment with democracy. (Courtesy of theguardian.com)
The post was erected in late March by Buddhist residents of the village in Myanmar’s lush Irrawaddy Delta region who signed, or were strong-armed into signing, a document asserting that they wanted to live separately.
Since then a couple of other villages across the country have followed suit. Small but viciously insular, these “Buddhist-only” outposts serve as microcosms of the festering religious tensions that threaten Myanmar’s nascent experiment with democracy. (Courtesy of theguardian.com)
U.S. Sanctions on Myanmar to Stay Until Military’s Influence Is Reduced
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said Myanmar would have to change its constitution to guarantee civilian power if it is to see the remaining American economic sanctions on the country lifted.
Speaking in the country’s capital Naypyitaw after meeting with the country’s foreign minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mr. Kerry said the key to lifting the remaining sanctions would be for Myanmar to show more progress in reducing the military’s influence as the country continues along the road to democracy. “It is very difficult to complete that journey, in fact impossible to complete that journey, with the current constitution,” Mr. Kerry said.
He was later scheduled to hold talks with Myanmar’s army chief before traveling to Vietnam, where President Barack Obama is due to arrive early Monday for a state visit. (Courtesy of wsj.com)
Speaking in the country’s capital Naypyitaw after meeting with the country’s foreign minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mr. Kerry said the key to lifting the remaining sanctions would be for Myanmar to show more progress in reducing the military’s influence as the country continues along the road to democracy. “It is very difficult to complete that journey, in fact impossible to complete that journey, with the current constitution,” Mr. Kerry said.
He was later scheduled to hold talks with Myanmar’s army chief before traveling to Vietnam, where President Barack Obama is due to arrive early Monday for a state visit. (Courtesy of wsj.com)
Rohingya refugee: We were hunted down by mob in Myanmar
For decades, Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing Myanmar, a Buddhist majority country where they are forced to live in apartheid-like conditions and denied access to jobs, education and healthcare.
But in recent years the exodus of refugees has surged. Since 2012, more than 100,000 people have braved perilous boat journeys in search of better lives in Malaysia, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries.
Abu Siddiq, a Rohingya refugee living in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, told Al Jazeera that he was forced to flee his home after ethnic Buddhists launched a brutal campaign against his family and community. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com )
But in recent years the exodus of refugees has surged. Since 2012, more than 100,000 people have braved perilous boat journeys in search of better lives in Malaysia, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries.
Abu Siddiq, a Rohingya refugee living in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, told Al Jazeera that he was forced to flee his home after ethnic Buddhists launched a brutal campaign against his family and community. (Courtesy of aljazeera.com )
Monks again march in Myanmar to protest 'Rohingya'
Protests demanding the government ban the word “Rohingya” took place in Myanmar Sunday, with nationalists marching in commercial capital Yangon as well as in Taung Gyi in restive Shan State.
The demonstrations are aimed at pressuring President Htin Kyaw and state counselor-cum-foreign minister Aung San Suu Kyi to denounce the United States embassy in the country for using the word to describe the stateless and persecuted Muslim minority.
Hardline nationalists refuse to recognize the term, instead referring to the ethnic group as "Bengali", which suggests they are illegal immigrants from neighboring country Bangladesh.
In Taung Gyi, capital of eastern Shan, a march jointly organized by the Taung Gyi-based National Security Network and Yangon-based Myanmar National Network, saw around 100 protesters take to the streets with banners emblazoned “No Rohingya”. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
The demonstrations are aimed at pressuring President Htin Kyaw and state counselor-cum-foreign minister Aung San Suu Kyi to denounce the United States embassy in the country for using the word to describe the stateless and persecuted Muslim minority.
Hardline nationalists refuse to recognize the term, instead referring to the ethnic group as "Bengali", which suggests they are illegal immigrants from neighboring country Bangladesh.
In Taung Gyi, capital of eastern Shan, a march jointly organized by the Taung Gyi-based National Security Network and Yangon-based Myanmar National Network, saw around 100 protesters take to the streets with banners emblazoned “No Rohingya”. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
A LESSON IN DEFUSING TENSIONS
A Rakhine MP created controversy when he submitted a proposal in the Amyotha Hluttaw last week that offended the Tatmadaw.
U Sein Wai Aung, a member of the Arakan National Party, proposed that the government declare a ceasefire to stop months of clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army. He also proposed that the AA be among the armed ethnic groups invited to participate in peace talks planned by the National League for Democracy government in the coming months.
When he submitted the proposal, Sein Wai Aung prefaced his remarks by saying every race was patriotic and then accused the Tatmadaw of using forced labour and violating human rights and referred to the AA as “Rakhine’s Tatmadaw”.
Military MPs objected to Sein Wai Aung’s comments and tensions rose in the chamber. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
U Sein Wai Aung, a member of the Arakan National Party, proposed that the government declare a ceasefire to stop months of clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army. He also proposed that the AA be among the armed ethnic groups invited to participate in peace talks planned by the National League for Democracy government in the coming months.
When he submitted the proposal, Sein Wai Aung prefaced his remarks by saying every race was patriotic and then accused the Tatmadaw of using forced labour and violating human rights and referred to the AA as “Rakhine’s Tatmadaw”.
Military MPs objected to Sein Wai Aung’s comments and tensions rose in the chamber. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Suu Kyi calls for 'space' to address Myanmar's Rohingya issue as Kerry visits
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asked to be given "enough space" to address the plight of her country's Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel peace laureate to promote respect for human rights.
Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar are displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State between the country's Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty in an exodus by boat.
The United States has long supported Suu Kyi's role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested to the new U.S. ambassador Scot Marciel to refrain from using the term 'Rohingya' for the persecuted Muslim minority.
The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and referred to by many as Bengalis. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar are displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State between the country's Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty in an exodus by boat.
The United States has long supported Suu Kyi's role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested to the new U.S. ambassador Scot Marciel to refrain from using the term 'Rohingya' for the persecuted Muslim minority.
The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and referred to by many as Bengalis. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Roanu batters upper Myanmar
Cyclone Roanu entered Bangladesh on May 21 but is due to weaken on Sunday before moving east, said Dr Kyaw Moe Oo, deputy director general of Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
“Roanu will still pose a threat while moving inland. It will weaken on May 22 and disappear. Low pressure will enter Myanmar,” said Moe Kyaw Oo.
Flooding and landslides are expected in upper Myanmar, said meteorologist Chit Kyaw.
“It will mostly affect Maungdaw and Sittwe districts and the government is prepared for it. It will also damage delta areas. Wind and tide will increase. Low pressure will cross Chin State, Magway and Mandalay regions and heavy rain, strong wind, flash flooding and landslides will occur. Rakhine State will be hit by the storm,” said Chit Kyaw. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
“Roanu will still pose a threat while moving inland. It will weaken on May 22 and disappear. Low pressure will enter Myanmar,” said Moe Kyaw Oo.
Flooding and landslides are expected in upper Myanmar, said meteorologist Chit Kyaw.
“It will mostly affect Maungdaw and Sittwe districts and the government is prepared for it. It will also damage delta areas. Wind and tide will increase. Low pressure will cross Chin State, Magway and Mandalay regions and heavy rain, strong wind, flash flooding and landslides will occur. Rakhine State will be hit by the storm,” said Chit Kyaw. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Nicholas Farrelly -- The saddest borderlands in Asia
As foreign minister, Aung San Suu Kyi is ultimately responsible for Myanmar's international affairs. Nobody pretends that this job is straightforward. It requires careful attention to a long list of problems, old and new, both at home and abroad. Success for Myanmar's top diplomat, as she balances her other responsibilities in the new post of state counselor, will require good judgment and smart politics.
In early May, her ministry's top official, Aung Lynn, made his first big public intervention under the National League for Democracy government. The permanent secretary sought to dampen enthusiasm for references to the "Rohingya," a marginalized Muslim minority concentrated in Myanmar's western Rakhine State. For the Myanmar government, the problem on paper is that Rohingya have not been recognized as one of the country's 135 national races. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
In early May, her ministry's top official, Aung Lynn, made his first big public intervention under the National League for Democracy government. The permanent secretary sought to dampen enthusiasm for references to the "Rohingya," a marginalized Muslim minority concentrated in Myanmar's western Rakhine State. For the Myanmar government, the problem on paper is that Rohingya have not been recognized as one of the country's 135 national races. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
Leaked Documents Show How the UN Failed to Protect Myanmar's Persecuted Rohingya
The United Nations failed to protect the human rights of the persecuted Rohingya minority in Myanmar, according to documents leaked to VICE News.
The papers also indicate that UN officials on the ground disregarded multiple recommendations on the rights and security of the group.
The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar's western Rakhine state, have been subjected to decades of persecution in the Buddhist-majority nation, culminating in massacres in 2012. The violence of that year was described by Human Rights Watch as a campaign of "ethnic cleansing," which involved "crimes against humanity" perpetrated by local mobs, at times with the support of state agencies. A 2015 report prepared by a team at Yale Law School for the NGO Fortify Rights found "strong evidence that genocide is being committed" against the Rohingya. (Courtesy of news.vice.com)
The papers also indicate that UN officials on the ground disregarded multiple recommendations on the rights and security of the group.
The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar's western Rakhine state, have been subjected to decades of persecution in the Buddhist-majority nation, culminating in massacres in 2012. The violence of that year was described by Human Rights Watch as a campaign of "ethnic cleansing," which involved "crimes against humanity" perpetrated by local mobs, at times with the support of state agencies. A 2015 report prepared by a team at Yale Law School for the NGO Fortify Rights found "strong evidence that genocide is being committed" against the Rohingya. (Courtesy of news.vice.com)
John Kerry and Aung San Suu Kyi: A Milestone Meeting, Tempered by Questions
Less than two months after a civilian government took many of the levers of power in Myanmar for the first time in a half century, Secretary of State John Kerry conducted a seemingly routine diplomatic meeting on Sunday with the most improbable Burmese counterpart: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident who now sits atop a government that had long kept her under house arrest.
Their discussion focused on Myanmar’s brutal treatment of a Muslim minority group — at a moment when outsiders are questioning whether Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, a hero of the human rights movement, has a double standard — and on the delicate question of whether Myanmar’s military leaders once had a program in place to build a nuclear weapon.
Yet Mr. Kerry seemed struck by the very idea that he was having the conversation at all. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Their discussion focused on Myanmar’s brutal treatment of a Muslim minority group — at a moment when outsiders are questioning whether Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, a hero of the human rights movement, has a double standard — and on the delicate question of whether Myanmar’s military leaders once had a program in place to build a nuclear weapon.
Yet Mr. Kerry seemed struck by the very idea that he was having the conversation at all. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Police told to serve 'customers'
The police must have honest and friendly interaction with the public and introduce principles of customer satisfaction, moving away from colonial practices, force chief Major General Zaw Win said.
Yangon Region police has unveiled its service-oriented initiative at the Yangon Region government offices on May 21.
“The police should change attitudes that existed from the colonial era and value customer satisfaction when dealing with the people. We are suppliers and the people are customers,” the police chief said. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Yangon Region police has unveiled its service-oriented initiative at the Yangon Region government offices on May 21.
“The police should change attitudes that existed from the colonial era and value customer satisfaction when dealing with the people. We are suppliers and the people are customers,” the police chief said. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best
Disaster management is the making of plans through which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards. It does not avert or eliminate the threats but creates plans to decrease their effect. Failure to create a plan can lead to deaths, damage assets and squander revenue. There should be preparedness and rehabilitation plans for before and after a disaster.
Rakhine State is suffering from Cyclone Roanu which is also predicted to cause floods and landslides in upper Myanmar. “Maungdaw and Sittwe districts are expected to be affected by the storm. The delta region could also be affected. There could be high waves, strong winds and heavy rains. The storm still poses a threat while moving inland, possibly affecting Chin State, Magway Region and Mandalay Region which could encounter heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides,” said meteorologist Chit Kyaw. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Rakhine State is suffering from Cyclone Roanu which is also predicted to cause floods and landslides in upper Myanmar. “Maungdaw and Sittwe districts are expected to be affected by the storm. The delta region could also be affected. There could be high waves, strong winds and heavy rains. The storm still poses a threat while moving inland, possibly affecting Chin State, Magway Region and Mandalay Region which could encounter heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides,” said meteorologist Chit Kyaw. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
For Myanmar, End to U.S. Penalties Still a Murky Goal
Khin Shwe, a businessman once known for his close ties to Myanmar’s former spy chief, said he tried hard to get off the U.S. blacklist of people who backed the country’s former military junta.
The construction and real-estate executive first met with U.S. officials in 2014 to frame his new outlook. His lawyers drafted petitions showcasing his corporate social-responsibility programs. He forged ties with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and supported her party. And he submitted evidence that villagers removed from land he developed were adequately compensated.
But when the Obama administration last week further eased sanctions on Myanmar, Mr. Khin Shwe found himself still blacklisted. So were at least eight other Burmese businessmen who had petitioned the U.S. government, their lawyers said. (Courtesy of wsj.com)
The construction and real-estate executive first met with U.S. officials in 2014 to frame his new outlook. His lawyers drafted petitions showcasing his corporate social-responsibility programs. He forged ties with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and supported her party. And he submitted evidence that villagers removed from land he developed were adequately compensated.
But when the Obama administration last week further eased sanctions on Myanmar, Mr. Khin Shwe found himself still blacklisted. So were at least eight other Burmese businessmen who had petitioned the U.S. government, their lawyers said. (Courtesy of wsj.com)
May 22, 2016
This Week in Parliament (May 16-20)
May 16 (Monday)
Khin San Hlaing, a National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker from Pale Township constituency, submitted a proposal to the Lower House that called for repairs to dams in Magwe and Sagaing divisions. The Lower House put the proposal on record, and will wait for further site visits to assess damages.
In a question and answer session, lawmakers asked about coal production in Shan State’s Mongyal Township and Sagaing Division’s Pinlebu Township, as well as land confiscation disputes in Sagaing Division’s Khin-U Township.
Meanwhile, the Upper House turned heads when its members engaged in debate over a penis-shaped soap controversy. Earlier this year, the Happy Zone amusement park in Rangoon gave out phallic bars of soap as prizes. After photos of the scandalous soap spread on social media, the issue drew the attention of the deputy minister of home affairs, Maj-Gen Aung Soe. The deputy minister said the owner and manager were made to sign letters stating they would no longer distribute the genitalia-shaped prizes.
May 17 (Tuesday)
The Union Parliament approved the appointment of Kyaw Tint Swe as the minister of the State Counselor’s Office. It also approved the appointment of Kyaw Myo as deputy minister of transportation and communications, and Win Myint as the deputy attorney general. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Khin San Hlaing, a National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker from Pale Township constituency, submitted a proposal to the Lower House that called for repairs to dams in Magwe and Sagaing divisions. The Lower House put the proposal on record, and will wait for further site visits to assess damages.
In a question and answer session, lawmakers asked about coal production in Shan State’s Mongyal Township and Sagaing Division’s Pinlebu Township, as well as land confiscation disputes in Sagaing Division’s Khin-U Township.
Meanwhile, the Upper House turned heads when its members engaged in debate over a penis-shaped soap controversy. Earlier this year, the Happy Zone amusement park in Rangoon gave out phallic bars of soap as prizes. After photos of the scandalous soap spread on social media, the issue drew the attention of the deputy minister of home affairs, Maj-Gen Aung Soe. The deputy minister said the owner and manager were made to sign letters stating they would no longer distribute the genitalia-shaped prizes.
May 17 (Tuesday)
The Union Parliament approved the appointment of Kyaw Tint Swe as the minister of the State Counselor’s Office. It also approved the appointment of Kyaw Myo as deputy minister of transportation and communications, and Win Myint as the deputy attorney general. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Dateline Irrawaddy: How Can Women Play a Greater Role in Burma?
Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, we’ll compare the roles of women under the previous quasi-civilian government and current elected government, and discuss their potential role in decision-making on important issues such as the shaping of political, economic and social policies. Ma Khin Ma Ma Myo, a director with the Myanmar Institute of Gender Studies, and Ma May Sabe Phyu, a director with the Gender Equality Network, will join me for a discussion. I’m The Irrawaddy’s English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe.
How do you compare the roles of women in the time of the U Thein Sein government and under the new government, the government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in terms of policy-making and decision-making? Do you see greater potential for the role of women now compared to the past, or if not, do you think it will get better in the future? (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
How do you compare the roles of women in the time of the U Thein Sein government and under the new government, the government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in terms of policy-making and decision-making? Do you see greater potential for the role of women now compared to the past, or if not, do you think it will get better in the future? (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Myanmar votes down ‘Rohingya’ citizenship verification
Myanmar’s parliament has voted down a powerful nationalist ethnic party’s proposal for an urgent citizenship verification process for Muslims in troubled Rakhine State, state media reported Saturday.
The proposal, under which more than half the undocumented Muslims in Rakhine and other regions could have been eligible for citizen status, received 154 votes in favor and 228 against, with seven abstentions, in the lower house, according to the Myanmar Ahlin newspaper.
Khin Saw Wai of the Arakan National Party (ANP) had earlier told Anadolu Agency that once granted citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Act, the Muslims -- many of whom have been living in internally displaced persons camps since 2012 -- would be free to leave Rakhine, where they were subject to violence. (Courtesy of thepeninsulaqatar.com)
The proposal, under which more than half the undocumented Muslims in Rakhine and other regions could have been eligible for citizen status, received 154 votes in favor and 228 against, with seven abstentions, in the lower house, according to the Myanmar Ahlin newspaper.
Khin Saw Wai of the Arakan National Party (ANP) had earlier told Anadolu Agency that once granted citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Act, the Muslims -- many of whom have been living in internally displaced persons camps since 2012 -- would be free to leave Rakhine, where they were subject to violence. (Courtesy of thepeninsulaqatar.com)
May 21, 2016
Delivering the Dividends of Democracy in Burma
Earlier this week, the Administration took steps to support private sector interest in Burma and help the new democratically-elected government.
Specifically, the Administration took sanctions steps intended to support investment and trade with Burma. These steps facilitate the movement of goods within Burma; allow certain incidental transactions related to U.S. individuals residing there; and allow most transactions involving designated financial institutions in Burma.
The sanctions changes are calibrated to maintain pressure on the military and other targeted persons, and to encourage additional democratic reforms.
It’s important that Burma reaps the rewards for its progress. After all, the goal of sanctions is to change behavior, not to punish. That’s why it is critical that we follow through on our commitments to provide sanctions relief when change occurs. After all, sanctions won’t succeed in promoting change if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. (Courtesy of blogs.state.gov)
Specifically, the Administration took sanctions steps intended to support investment and trade with Burma. These steps facilitate the movement of goods within Burma; allow certain incidental transactions related to U.S. individuals residing there; and allow most transactions involving designated financial institutions in Burma.
The sanctions changes are calibrated to maintain pressure on the military and other targeted persons, and to encourage additional democratic reforms.
It’s important that Burma reaps the rewards for its progress. After all, the goal of sanctions is to change behavior, not to punish. That’s why it is critical that we follow through on our commitments to provide sanctions relief when change occurs. After all, sanctions won’t succeed in promoting change if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. (Courtesy of blogs.state.gov)
Shan villagers flee fresh fighting
Villagers from Namtma village have fled their homes after fresh fighting between the army and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) on the boundary between Lashio and Hsipaw townships in northern Shan State.
Medical staff left the area for Lashio Township around 25 miles away with residents moving to a neighbouring village.
Shooting between a military convoy and an armed group took place near Mount Yinkwe between Kyaukme and Naungpain on the Lashio-Mandalay road on May 16. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Medical staff left the area for Lashio Township around 25 miles away with residents moving to a neighbouring village.
Shooting between a military convoy and an armed group took place near Mount Yinkwe between Kyaukme and Naungpain on the Lashio-Mandalay road on May 16. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Why Rohingya? Equality and identity in Myanmar
I belong to an ethnic group that, according to my government, does not exist. In the past few weeks, ultra-nationalist protestors have proudly proclaimed, “There are no Rohingya in our country.” And then the NLD government requested foreign embassies to refrain from using the term “Rohingya”, reportedly stating that “the controversial term does not support the national reconciliation process and solving problems”. Their statement was disappointing because it was a capitulation to the hardliners and because I, as a Rohingya, want nothing more than national reconciliation. I want to live in a Myanmar where all of Myanmar’s peoples can live together in equality and peace.
I was born in Myanmar, my parents were born in Myanmar, and their parents were born in Myanmar. My family members have served in the Myanmar government and fought for Myanmar democracy. My father served as a teacher in government schools in Rakhine State for 30 years and was elected as a member of parliament in the 1990 elections. My mother, sister, father, brother and I were all imprisoned because of my father’s work alongside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD in the democratic opposition. Even so, under the new NLD-led government, describing my ethnicity, language and culture has become a “controversial” political act. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
I was born in Myanmar, my parents were born in Myanmar, and their parents were born in Myanmar. My family members have served in the Myanmar government and fought for Myanmar democracy. My father served as a teacher in government schools in Rakhine State for 30 years and was elected as a member of parliament in the 1990 elections. My mother, sister, father, brother and I were all imprisoned because of my father’s work alongside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD in the democratic opposition. Even so, under the new NLD-led government, describing my ethnicity, language and culture has become a “controversial” political act. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
China reaches over the Rohingya to touch the Indian Ocean
The Kyaukphyu project will serve China’s better connectivity with the Indian Ocean, even more than the Gwadar port in Pakistan. The Kyaukphyu SEZ project was awarded to a six-member international consortium headed by one of China’s biggest conglomerates, Citic Group. Four other Chinese industrial and investment groups and one of Thailand’s biggest conglomerates, Charoen Phokphand, constitute the other members of the consortium.
“The project is adjacent to the landing point of the dual pipeline that transports gas and crude oil to China,” Joshy Paul added. This pipeline runs into the Bay of Bengal, just below Bangladesh, in Rakhine province.
In May 2011, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Myanmar’s railways ministry and China’s state-owned Railway Engineering Corporation that allows the building of a rail line linking Kyaukphyu with Kunming, capital of the Yunnan Province of China. The scheme fits well with China’s revamp of the Silk Road, called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road. (Courtesy of pressenza.com)
“The project is adjacent to the landing point of the dual pipeline that transports gas and crude oil to China,” Joshy Paul added. This pipeline runs into the Bay of Bengal, just below Bangladesh, in Rakhine province.
In May 2011, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Myanmar’s railways ministry and China’s state-owned Railway Engineering Corporation that allows the building of a rail line linking Kyaukphyu with Kunming, capital of the Yunnan Province of China. The scheme fits well with China’s revamp of the Silk Road, called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road. (Courtesy of pressenza.com)
May 20, 2016
S'pore exploring investment treaty with Myanmar
Singapore is exploring the possibility of negotiating a bilateral investment treaty with Myanmar, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday during an introductory visit to Naypyitaw.
Such a deal will give potential investors "a greater sense of assurance, of security, of policy and regularity certainty", he said, adding that it will also accelerate investment.
Dr Balakrishnan was speaking at a joint press conference with Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday morning. (Courtesy of straitstimes.com)
Such a deal will give potential investors "a greater sense of assurance, of security, of policy and regularity certainty", he said, adding that it will also accelerate investment.
Dr Balakrishnan was speaking at a joint press conference with Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday morning. (Courtesy of straitstimes.com)
Engage with Myanmar for transition to civilian rule: WH
From Lalit K JhaWashington, May 19 (PTI) The US is carefully exploring thepossibility of using a calibrated military-to-militaryengagement with Myanmar to support a transition to civiliangovernment, a top White House official has said, a day afterAmerica eased economic sanctions on the country.
"We are carefully exploring in close consultation withCongress what can be done to use calibrated military-to-military engagement to support a transition to civilian rule,"Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said this weekafter the US eased as series of sanctions against Myanmar.
Rhodes, who has played a key role in the Obamaadministration's Myanmar policy and is said to be the manbehind pushing for a new policy with this country, said thatsome problems remain inherent in Myanmar's constitution. (Courtesy of msn.com)
"We are carefully exploring in close consultation withCongress what can be done to use calibrated military-to-military engagement to support a transition to civilian rule,"Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said this weekafter the US eased as series of sanctions against Myanmar.
Rhodes, who has played a key role in the Obamaadministration's Myanmar policy and is said to be the manbehind pushing for a new policy with this country, said thatsome problems remain inherent in Myanmar's constitution. (Courtesy of msn.com)
Vivian Balakrishnan meets with ex-Myanmar president Thein Sein
On the last day of his 3-day introductory visit to Myanmar on Thursday (May 19), Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met Myanmar's former President, Thein Sein in the capital Nay Pyi Taw before leaving for Yangon.
Since handing over power to the National League for Democracy party earlier this year, Mr Thein Sein has resumed his position as the chairman of the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Since handing over power to the National League for Democracy party earlier this year, Mr Thein Sein has resumed his position as the chairman of the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Heating up and cutting out
In case we had forgotten the challenges Myanmar is facing in meeting electricity demand, the past few weeks have provided a timely reminder. Weeks of regular blackouts at the height of summer have made life uncomfortable for millions.
The new government has not helped the situation. Its communication on power supply has been non-existent; reading the state newspapers you could be forgiven for thinking nothing was amiss.
Instead, electricity users have been told repeatedly through Facebook that the outages are due to system failures. It may be the weather, creaking infrastructure or simply an inability to meet demand, but we’ve been left in the dark. A government that came to office promising accountability and transparency has failed to uphold these same standards.
But, as we explore elsewhere in this issue, those with a power supply – working or not – should count themselves lucky. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
The new government has not helped the situation. Its communication on power supply has been non-existent; reading the state newspapers you could be forgiven for thinking nothing was amiss.
Instead, electricity users have been told repeatedly through Facebook that the outages are due to system failures. It may be the weather, creaking infrastructure or simply an inability to meet demand, but we’ve been left in the dark. A government that came to office promising accountability and transparency has failed to uphold these same standards.
But, as we explore elsewhere in this issue, those with a power supply – working or not – should count themselves lucky. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Myanmar Flag flies atop Everest for first time
Ko Pyae Phyo Aung and Ko Win Ko have become the first Myanmar climbers to summit the world’s highest mountain.
They successfully reached Everest’s 8868m high peak at 7:17am local time on May 19.
The two mountaineers and their four Sherpa guides had set off from Camp 4 at 9pm the previous day and climbed through the night towards their goal. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
They successfully reached Everest’s 8868m high peak at 7:17am local time on May 19.
The two mountaineers and their four Sherpa guides had set off from Camp 4 at 9pm the previous day and climbed through the night towards their goal. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Frontier Markets: Rushing into Myanmar
The rush appears to be on to fill the void that Myanmar has presented to the world. Japan is in there, as is China. India is holding bilateral talks with Myanmar in the hope of boosting trade between the two countries in the areas of agriculture (note to AVC Global), manufacturing, information technology, and of course infrastructure development. The U.S. is represented there by way of Pizza Hut and now Bell Helicopter, a division of Textron (
TXT
), which is showcasing their aircraft across Southeast Asia, beginning in Myanmar.
Why Myanmar you may ask? Last year, Bell put their toe in the water in that country and received little interest. But now, private companies involved in things like tourism, search and rescue, and the oil and gas sectors have all expressed interest in purchasing Bell’s aircraft. Airbus with their EC225 helicopter is Textron’s main competitor. (Courtesy of nasdaq.com)
TXT
), which is showcasing their aircraft across Southeast Asia, beginning in Myanmar.
Why Myanmar you may ask? Last year, Bell put their toe in the water in that country and received little interest. But now, private companies involved in things like tourism, search and rescue, and the oil and gas sectors have all expressed interest in purchasing Bell’s aircraft. Airbus with their EC225 helicopter is Textron’s main competitor. (Courtesy of nasdaq.com)
Htin Kyaw leaves for Russia
President Htin Kyaw has left for Russia to attend the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit to mark 20 years of relations.
He was accompanied by Kyaw Win, minister for planning and finance, Kyaw Tin, deputy minister for foreign affairs, and senior civil servants from the Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs ministries.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Region chief minister, Myo Zaw Thein, Yangon's military commander, regional ministers, Tin Oo, patron of the National League for Democracy, and the Russian ambassador to Myanmar, Mikhail Mgeladze. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
He was accompanied by Kyaw Win, minister for planning and finance, Kyaw Tin, deputy minister for foreign affairs, and senior civil servants from the Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs ministries.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Region chief minister, Myo Zaw Thein, Yangon's military commander, regional ministers, Tin Oo, patron of the National League for Democracy, and the Russian ambassador to Myanmar, Mikhail Mgeladze. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
May 19, 2016
Growing Warmth In Bangladesh-Myanmar Ties – Analysis
Bangladesh and Myanmar share about 271 kilometres of land border, of which around 150 kilometres lie in hilly areas, as well as a maritime border. In the past, their relationship has been marked by tensions due to border disputes and dispute over the migration of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh. On occasion, these have even led to armed skirmishes between their border guards. A major standoff had also emerged when Myanmar tried to conduct exploration activities in the formerly disputed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZs) and Bangladesh responded by sending three naval vessels. Although the dispute over the maritime border demarcation was resolved through international arbitration, the chill in the bilateral relationship had persisted. But the coming to power of a democratic government in Myanmar has significantly altered the political situation within that country and has also provided an opportunity to improve bilateral relations with Bangladesh. (Courtesy of eurasiareview.com)
Anti-Rohingya protesters hit Ayeyarwady Region
The three-hour demonstration in the heat of the afternoon brought hundreds to Shwe Maw Taw Pagoda in Pathein. Over 90 monks and nuns also participated, according to demonstration organisers and locals.
The nationalist camp has been in a fervour over the official terminology for a Muslim group in Rakhine State that self-identifies as Rohingya since a US embassy statement issued last month. The statement expressed condolences for Rohingya – who are referred to as Bengalis by those who prefer to characterise the group as illegal immigrants.
The previous government used “Bengali” as the official term, while State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the US embassy to refrain from using the word “Rohingya”, she has not stated what should be used instead. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
The nationalist camp has been in a fervour over the official terminology for a Muslim group in Rakhine State that self-identifies as Rohingya since a US embassy statement issued last month. The statement expressed condolences for Rohingya – who are referred to as Bengalis by those who prefer to characterise the group as illegal immigrants.
The previous government used “Bengali” as the official term, while State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the US embassy to refrain from using the word “Rohingya”, she has not stated what should be used instead. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Minority issues key to US sanctions on Nay Pyi Taw
Last week the Obama administration extended economic sanctions against Myanmar for another year saying the step is necessary despite the progress on democratic reforms.
President Barrack Obama notified leaders of the Congress that, "The political opening remains nascent, and concerns persist regarding ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in ethnic minority areas, particularly in Rakhine State, and the continued role of the military in the country's political and economic activities." (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com/opinion)
President Barrack Obama notified leaders of the Congress that, "The political opening remains nascent, and concerns persist regarding ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in ethnic minority areas, particularly in Rakhine State, and the continued role of the military in the country's political and economic activities." (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com/opinion)
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