“I was born feminist,” insisted Daw Pyo Let Han, 35, sitting in her small office on the second floor of a narrow building in downtown Yangon. “I always questioned traditional norms, like that women’s longyis are dirty. Most people think women are equal to men in our country, but I never thought that was true because in the religion and the culture women are always subordinate to men.”
Last year, Daw Pyo Let Han launched Myanmar’s first feminist magazine, Rainfall, with three other women activists. She is also the author of three novels about women’s experiences in Myanmar.
“I like to break out of the traditions and the cultural and social norms. I make women think about their social status as second class citizens,” she said, describing her novels as “shock therapy”. “I think I wrote the first book in Myanmar about the love between two women,” she said.
Daw Pyo Let Han is part of burgeoning feminist movement in Myanmar, an organic strand of women’s activism that is thriving outside party politics. The movement is creative and thoroughly modern, clever, adaptive and diverse, and explicitly intersectional. Slowly but surely it is gaining traction and helping to change the restrictive gender norms that have a quiet grip on Myanmar’s women, and are all the more insidious for their subtlety. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
January 20, 2016
Police investigating ‘uranium’ seizure
An informant tipped off the anti-narcotics unit to check the City Grand Hotel on January 12. Responding to the call, the officers found two metals sealed in a lead box marked “uranium”, according to Mandalay District director Police Lieutenant Colonel Sein Tun.
The two bits of metal weigh 2 kilograms, he said.
To confirm if the seized metals are actually uranium, they have been sent for analysis to the Department of Atomic Energy in Yangon’s Bahan township.
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is weakly radioactive and contributes to low levels of natural background radiation in the environment, but can be used to create enormous amounts of energy when fissioned.
“We haven’t heard any response about the tests so far,” said Pol Lt Col Sein Tun. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The two bits of metal weigh 2 kilograms, he said.
To confirm if the seized metals are actually uranium, they have been sent for analysis to the Department of Atomic Energy in Yangon’s Bahan township.
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is weakly radioactive and contributes to low levels of natural background radiation in the environment, but can be used to create enormous amounts of energy when fissioned.
“We haven’t heard any response about the tests so far,” said Pol Lt Col Sein Tun. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Myanmar current gov't allows 38 offshore blocks for gas exploration tender
Myanmar's current term of government has allowed 38 offshore blocks for tender for gas exploration, leaving 13 blocks for further undertaking, an official report said Wednesday.
There have been a total of 51 offshore blocks reserved for gas exploration tender.
In addition, there are also 53 onshore blocks designated for such undertaking.
According to the report, 17 companies are currently performing offshore natural gas drilling, while 19 other companies have been permitted to carry out similar activities on onshore blocks. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
There have been a total of 51 offshore blocks reserved for gas exploration tender.
In addition, there are also 53 onshore blocks designated for such undertaking.
According to the report, 17 companies are currently performing offshore natural gas drilling, while 19 other companies have been permitted to carry out similar activities on onshore blocks. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
Myanmar journalist wins international journalism award
Myanmar journalist Htet Khaung Lin has been awarded the prestigious Lorenzo Natali Prize in Brussels for a story on clandestine sex workers.
The article, published in Myanmar Now, focused on the life of a 16-year-old girl whose mother had agreed to sell her daughter’s virginity to a businessman for $3,000.
“This piece demonstrates how the power of journalism can help a country that only recently came back into the global community to move forward and confront its problems,” said Eric Chinje, one of the judges.
Since beginning his career in 2007, Htet has since worked for several media outlets including Ecovision, the Messenger Weekly, the Myanmar Post Journal, and the Myanmar Now News Agency.
Htet has also participated in news journalism training at the American Center Yangon and with ActionAid Myanmar. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
The article, published in Myanmar Now, focused on the life of a 16-year-old girl whose mother had agreed to sell her daughter’s virginity to a businessman for $3,000.
“This piece demonstrates how the power of journalism can help a country that only recently came back into the global community to move forward and confront its problems,” said Eric Chinje, one of the judges.
Since beginning his career in 2007, Htet has since worked for several media outlets including Ecovision, the Messenger Weekly, the Myanmar Post Journal, and the Myanmar Now News Agency.
Htet has also participated in news journalism training at the American Center Yangon and with ActionAid Myanmar. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
US Official: Washington Stands With People of Myanmar
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States will work closely with the new government of Myanmar, saying it is committed to standing with the people in their pursuit of democracy, development and national reconciliation.
Speaking at a news conference in Myanmar's capital, Naypitaw, Monday, Blinken, who is the first U.S. envoy to visit since last year's landmark polls, urged the existing government to complete the transitional process and to release all the political prisoners.
"One of the great legacies of this government is the work that it has done and reform broadly and releasing the political prisoners in particular," said Blinken. "And it would be a fitting completion of that legacy to release all political prisoners so that by the time the transition is complete and new government takes office no one is in jail because of their political views." (Courtesy of VOA News)
Speaking at a news conference in Myanmar's capital, Naypitaw, Monday, Blinken, who is the first U.S. envoy to visit since last year's landmark polls, urged the existing government to complete the transitional process and to release all the political prisoners.
"One of the great legacies of this government is the work that it has done and reform broadly and releasing the political prisoners in particular," said Blinken. "And it would be a fitting completion of that legacy to release all political prisoners so that by the time the transition is complete and new government takes office no one is in jail because of their political views." (Courtesy of VOA News)
Myanmar Feeds China’s Pangolin Appetite
Myanmar and pangolins. Not words I normally think of together. That’s why the recent report by TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring NGO, on pangolin trafficking in Myanmar took me by surprise. While I’ve followed the patterns of pangolin smuggling over the years, Myanmar is rarely highlighted. Until now.
TRAFFIC’s study, published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation, exposes how the country is both a significant source and a transit hub.
Pangolins may be the most trafficked mammal in the world, with more than a million of them traded illegally during the past decade. These scaly anteaters get it from all sides—their habitat is disappearing, and they’re pursued by poachers for their meat, skin, and scales. (Courtesy of news.nationalgeographic.com)
TRAFFIC’s study, published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation, exposes how the country is both a significant source and a transit hub.
Pangolins may be the most trafficked mammal in the world, with more than a million of them traded illegally during the past decade. These scaly anteaters get it from all sides—their habitat is disappearing, and they’re pursued by poachers for their meat, skin, and scales. (Courtesy of news.nationalgeographic.com)
Bring on the world
After the bout, Tun Tun Min described his unease at facing his countrymen in Myanmar’s national combat sport.
“I feel so sad when I face local fighters. I had the same feeling when I fought Saw Nga Mann [to win the Golden Belt in September 2014],” said the country’s number-one fighter.
“I don’t want to fight local fighters again. I want to fight foreign fighters and make our traditional lethwei famous across the world,” he added.
That didn’t stop Tun Tun Min from entering this fight with such ferocity that it stunned even the crowd at the packed Theinphyu – a group well-worn to this most intense form of pugilism.
From the first bell, the champion – in his first defence of that title – went straight to the offensive, with a combination of kicks and punches that left Saw Gaw Muu Do reeling. His opponent – better known as Gaw Gaw – attempted to block and defend but was overpowered by the speed and consistency of Tun Tun Min. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
“I feel so sad when I face local fighters. I had the same feeling when I fought Saw Nga Mann [to win the Golden Belt in September 2014],” said the country’s number-one fighter.
“I don’t want to fight local fighters again. I want to fight foreign fighters and make our traditional lethwei famous across the world,” he added.
That didn’t stop Tun Tun Min from entering this fight with such ferocity that it stunned even the crowd at the packed Theinphyu – a group well-worn to this most intense form of pugilism.
From the first bell, the champion – in his first defence of that title – went straight to the offensive, with a combination of kicks and punches that left Saw Gaw Muu Do reeling. His opponent – better known as Gaw Gaw – attempted to block and defend but was overpowered by the speed and consistency of Tun Tun Min. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
One year on, no justice for Kachin teachers murdered in Myanmar
Hundreds of people attended a memorial service in Yangon on Tuesday for two ethnic Kachin teachers murdered a year ago in a grisly crime rights groups say points to the impunity granted to the Myanmar army in conflict areas.
The killing of the women, aged 20 and 21, triggered a wave of public outrage, with activists alleging the pair were raped and murdered by soldiers stationed in the village where they worked in Shan state.
Myanmar s government vowed to probe the deaths thoroughly and punish any soldiers found to be involved.
Yet one year on no-one has been charged over the murders of Maran Lu Ra and Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin, despite pressure from the US State Department which urged a full investigation.
Rights groups believe police may have helped the Myanmar military cover-up the crime that took place near the border town of Muse.
The Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), which ran the school where the two women volunteered as teachers, say authorities do not appear to be taking the case seriously. (Courtesy of Dunya News)
The killing of the women, aged 20 and 21, triggered a wave of public outrage, with activists alleging the pair were raped and murdered by soldiers stationed in the village where they worked in Shan state.
Myanmar s government vowed to probe the deaths thoroughly and punish any soldiers found to be involved.
Yet one year on no-one has been charged over the murders of Maran Lu Ra and Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin, despite pressure from the US State Department which urged a full investigation.
Rights groups believe police may have helped the Myanmar military cover-up the crime that took place near the border town of Muse.
The Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), which ran the school where the two women volunteered as teachers, say authorities do not appear to be taking the case seriously. (Courtesy of Dunya News)
MPs refuse to delete unfinished govt projects from parliament record
The Union government suggested that over 700 projects that were discussed by the current parliament but not implemented by the authorities be deleted from the parliamentary record. However, the Lower House decided to keep the discussions on record.
The Lower House committee for investigating promises and guarantees of the government submitted its second report to the parliament, suggesting that the parliament keep the promises of the government on record.
The committee report says the Union government recommended the deletion of 724 projects that were promised by the authorities during the term of the first parliament. They government made the recommendation on the grounds that some of the projects were never given a budget, while some are long-term projects that will be completed beyond the current fiscal year. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The Lower House committee for investigating promises and guarantees of the government submitted its second report to the parliament, suggesting that the parliament keep the promises of the government on record.
The committee report says the Union government recommended the deletion of 724 projects that were promised by the authorities during the term of the first parliament. They government made the recommendation on the grounds that some of the projects were never given a budget, while some are long-term projects that will be completed beyond the current fiscal year. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
No green light for Yangon New City Project
Yangon Region Minister for Forestry and Energy Kyaw Soe yesterday denied a rumour that the regional government granted a permit for the Yangon New City Project to Myanmar Saytanar Myothit Public Company.
“We have not given the green light to any company. It is under scrutiny. The rumour is untrue,” he said.
Many areas in the western part of Yangon, between the Panhlaing River and Twante Canal and between the Hlaing River and Hlaingthayar-Twante Motorway have already been set aside for the project. Moreover, the Yangon New City Project will include land plots across the river from Kyeemyindaing Township and in Twante Township.
The regional government opened a tender for the Yangon New City Project on 12 January, 2015. Only three of more than 50 companies that requested tender forms ended up submitting applications. Those companies are Yangon South West Development Public Company, Business Capital City Development Ltd and Shwe Pobba International Construction Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Shwe Than Lwin Co. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
“We have not given the green light to any company. It is under scrutiny. The rumour is untrue,” he said.
Many areas in the western part of Yangon, between the Panhlaing River and Twante Canal and between the Hlaing River and Hlaingthayar-Twante Motorway have already been set aside for the project. Moreover, the Yangon New City Project will include land plots across the river from Kyeemyindaing Township and in Twante Township.
The regional government opened a tender for the Yangon New City Project on 12 January, 2015. Only three of more than 50 companies that requested tender forms ended up submitting applications. Those companies are Yangon South West Development Public Company, Business Capital City Development Ltd and Shwe Pobba International Construction Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Shwe Than Lwin Co. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Israeli Weapons Aid Potential Genocide in Myanmar and Burundi
Throughout its short history Israel has been a dependable weapons supplier to pariah regimes, from apartheid South Africa and South Sudan to Rwanda and Serbia as genocides were underway.
Now we can add Myanmar and Burundi to the list.
For decades Myanmar, also known as Burma, suffered under the rule of a military junta so brutal most of the international community, including the US, imposed sanctions on the country.
In 2011, Myanmar began a process of partial transition to civilian rule, though the army remains very much in control.
This prompted the US to ease some trade restrictions, but military sanctions remain intact given that the Myanmar Armed Forces, referred to as Tatmadaw, still wield enormous power. (Courtesy of thecitizen.in)
Now we can add Myanmar and Burundi to the list.
For decades Myanmar, also known as Burma, suffered under the rule of a military junta so brutal most of the international community, including the US, imposed sanctions on the country.
In 2011, Myanmar began a process of partial transition to civilian rule, though the army remains very much in control.
This prompted the US to ease some trade restrictions, but military sanctions remain intact given that the Myanmar Armed Forces, referred to as Tatmadaw, still wield enormous power. (Courtesy of thecitizen.in)
Myanmar military appoints MPs for new parliament
Myanmar’s powerful army has appointed hundreds of military lawmakers to the new parliament set to convene after November’s landmark polls, choosing MPs that an academic said Tuesday would check the election-winning opposition party.
The Union Election Commission chaired by former general Tin Aye approved Monday the appointment of 386 military MPs to the new national and regional legislatures that will be dominated by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) after its landslide victory.
Unelected military MPs are allocated 25 percent of all seats in Myanmar’s legislatures, giving them veto power, under the 2008 constitution. (Courtesy of Fulton News)
The Union Election Commission chaired by former general Tin Aye approved Monday the appointment of 386 military MPs to the new national and regional legislatures that will be dominated by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) after its landslide victory.
Unelected military MPs are allocated 25 percent of all seats in Myanmar’s legislatures, giving them veto power, under the 2008 constitution. (Courtesy of Fulton News)
New report alleges military involvement in Myanmar murders
A new report investigating the rape and murder in northern Shan State of two Kachin Christian teachers alleges that a high-ranking military officer was involved in the cover-up of the crime carried out by soldiers.
The Kachin Women's Association of Thailand and the Legal Aid Network released the report "Justice delayed, justice denied" on Jan. 19, which coincided with the one-year anniversary of the two teachers' deaths.
The report makes claims to expose an alleged cover-up of the military's involvement in the case. The report also states that the investigation into the murders has been one-sided, which led to delays and a denial of justice.
The report analyzes witness testimony that identifies as a key suspect the commanding officer from Myanmar's army, which was camped in the village. (ucanews.com
The Kachin Women's Association of Thailand and the Legal Aid Network released the report "Justice delayed, justice denied" on Jan. 19, which coincided with the one-year anniversary of the two teachers' deaths.
The report makes claims to expose an alleged cover-up of the military's involvement in the case. The report also states that the investigation into the murders has been one-sided, which led to delays and a denial of justice.
The report analyzes witness testimony that identifies as a key suspect the commanding officer from Myanmar's army, which was camped in the village. (ucanews.com
Mandalay mob beats alleged child kidnapper to death
Police in Mandalay have opened an investigation into the deadly mob beating of a man by bystanders who believed he was attempting to kidnap a child. The attack occurred on Strand Road in Aung Myay Tharzan township on the evening of January 14.
“People say they saw the man holding a child’s hand and leading him away, so they started beating him,” a police officer from the Mandalay Region Police Office said on January 18.
“The man later died from the beating, so we have opened a case and we have started questioning the people suspected of beating him.”
The beating victim is from Singaing township in Mandalay Region. He was a vendor at a night market in Mandalay, along with his wife. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
“People say they saw the man holding a child’s hand and leading him away, so they started beating him,” a police officer from the Mandalay Region Police Office said on January 18.
“The man later died from the beating, so we have opened a case and we have started questioning the people suspected of beating him.”
The beating victim is from Singaing township in Mandalay Region. He was a vendor at a night market in Mandalay, along with his wife. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Remembering the Motherland
Ma Lynn Pwint Naddy, 11, likes to think of herself as Burmese, not American. She speaks Burmese with her parents, she explains Burmese history and culture with her classmates, and she is learning the traditional dances of her native Yangon.
But Ma Lynn Pwint Naddy has not been to Burma (as her family chooses to call it) since she was a baby. For the last four years she has attended the Thabyay Nyo Burmese school, where her distant language and culture has been restored to her one Saturday at a time.
Thabyay Nyo, which is Myanmar for “Image of Burmese History”, holds weekly classes in a rented elementary school at Rockville, a small town just north of Washington DC. The school teaches Burmese language, history and culture for free to children from the 40 or so migrant families in the area. It was founded by Daw May Nyein, an activist and former literary criticism professor at Yangon University who went to the US in 2009 and began tutoring the children of political exiles from Myanmar. Thabyay Nyo launched in 2010 when Daw May Nyein and the other parents decided to make their sessions official. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
But Ma Lynn Pwint Naddy has not been to Burma (as her family chooses to call it) since she was a baby. For the last four years she has attended the Thabyay Nyo Burmese school, where her distant language and culture has been restored to her one Saturday at a time.
Thabyay Nyo, which is Myanmar for “Image of Burmese History”, holds weekly classes in a rented elementary school at Rockville, a small town just north of Washington DC. The school teaches Burmese language, history and culture for free to children from the 40 or so migrant families in the area. It was founded by Daw May Nyein, an activist and former literary criticism professor at Yangon University who went to the US in 2009 and began tutoring the children of political exiles from Myanmar. Thabyay Nyo launched in 2010 when Daw May Nyein and the other parents decided to make their sessions official. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Special report: Hunting for jade in a corner of hell
From the dispassionate eye of a satellite in space, the area around Hpakant, a town in Myanmar's Kachin state, looks like a dry brown moonscape in a sea of green.
The mostly potholed dirt and gravel road to Hpakant twists through emerald hills; in the rainy season, it is reduced to reddish-brown mud, and wooden pontoons load vehicles two or three at a time to swing them across swollen rivers. Around Hpakant itself - a ramshackle organic boom town - over 850 jade mining firms operate over some 9,000ha.
On the ground, the mines are something out of a brutal pre-industrial era. Dump trucks rumble along the tops of high ridges, stick their rumps out and tip their heavy loads of earth and rock tailings from the mines down the slope into deep canyons gouged from the earth. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
The mostly potholed dirt and gravel road to Hpakant twists through emerald hills; in the rainy season, it is reduced to reddish-brown mud, and wooden pontoons load vehicles two or three at a time to swing them across swollen rivers. Around Hpakant itself - a ramshackle organic boom town - over 850 jade mining firms operate over some 9,000ha.
On the ground, the mines are something out of a brutal pre-industrial era. Dump trucks rumble along the tops of high ridges, stick their rumps out and tip their heavy loads of earth and rock tailings from the mines down the slope into deep canyons gouged from the earth. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
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