On Sunday, The Daily Beast reported on an upsurge of support for presidential hopeful Donald Trump from an unlikely place: Buddhist temples in Burma. The infamous organization known as Ma Ba Tha, a group of Islamophobic, sexist, violent monks, apparently likes Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric.
A 34-year-old youth group leader affiliated with Ma Ba Tha, named Win Ko Ko Latt, said, “I like Donald Trump because he understands the danger posed by Muslims. It shows that our struggle is a global one and that Islam isn’t just a threat to Myanmar but to the entire world.”
Myanmar’s anti-Muslim movement is led by Ashin Wirathu, the famous monk who TIME Magazine dubbed “The Face of Buddhist Terror.” Last month, The Myanmar Times ran a column titled, “Who said it: Trump or Wirathu?” The column asked readers to guess who said “There are people that shouldn’t be in our country. They flow in like water.” (That’s from Trump.) (Courtesy of Lion's Roar)
March 16, 2016
From legislative issues to citizenship for Rohingyas, Suu Kyi has an uphill task in reforming Myanmar
As Myanmar’s parliament elected its first-ever civilian president, a UN expert on Myanmar said that even though there have been wide-ranging reforms since 2011 “hundreds of laws remain on the book” that do not comply with international standards and that need immediate attention.
“Hundreds of laws remain on the book that do not comply with Myanmar’s human rights obligations and some of these laws are very outdated — old laws — while others have been recently enacted,” Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, told reporters on Tuesday.
In her annual report that she presented to the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 14 March, Lee notes 30 legislations that need to be “re-looked at, amended, repealed or rescinded”.
Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept the historic elections on 8 November, 2015, won 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament. This is Myanmar’s first-ever civilian president after half a century of military rule. (Courtesy of Firstpost)
“Hundreds of laws remain on the book that do not comply with Myanmar’s human rights obligations and some of these laws are very outdated — old laws — while others have been recently enacted,” Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, told reporters on Tuesday.
In her annual report that she presented to the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 14 March, Lee notes 30 legislations that need to be “re-looked at, amended, repealed or rescinded”.
Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept the historic elections on 8 November, 2015, won 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament. This is Myanmar’s first-ever civilian president after half a century of military rule. (Courtesy of Firstpost)
UN rights official sets tough targets for new government
Myanmar's United Nations-appointed human rights investigator has given the new government a 100-day challenge. The task list – starting from its first day in office next month – includes lifting restrictions on freedom of movement in Rakhine State, meeting a 30 percent quota for women participating in the peace process and stopping the use of landmines.
Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council on March 14, Myanmar’s special rapporteur on human rights Yanghee Lee presented a summary of her observations throughout the country over her year-long mandate.
Ms Lee began her assessment by noting the success of the November 8 election, calling it a “watershed moment” in the country’s reform process.
“It is a testament to the scale of change that over 100 political prisoners once of concern to this council are now sitting in parliament,” she said.
However, she also urged that celebrations of the polls not eclipse ongoing rights issues, reminding the council that hundreds of thousands of voters were disenfranchised, and not one Muslim lawmaker currently represents the largest minority religious group. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council on March 14, Myanmar’s special rapporteur on human rights Yanghee Lee presented a summary of her observations throughout the country over her year-long mandate.
Ms Lee began her assessment by noting the success of the November 8 election, calling it a “watershed moment” in the country’s reform process.
“It is a testament to the scale of change that over 100 political prisoners once of concern to this council are now sitting in parliament,” she said.
However, she also urged that celebrations of the polls not eclipse ongoing rights issues, reminding the council that hundreds of thousands of voters were disenfranchised, and not one Muslim lawmaker currently represents the largest minority religious group. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Rohingya refugee back in hospital, friend says
Mohammed Yusuf, who said he was like a “brother” to unwell refugee Mohammed Rashid, yesterday said Rashid had been taken to the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital on Sunday, after a three-day hospitalisation last week.
Rashid is one of only two remaining refugees who moved to the Kingdom under the A$55 million scheme, which Interior Ministry refugee department director Kerm Sarin defended yesterday.
“We have the obligation to give them protection .The refugees from Nauru have to come [here] voluntarily; we could not force them,” he said.
Sarin said he was “not concerned” about the $8,000 payment Australia promised refugees to entice them, and which Rashid said he had not received in full. Referring to the A$40 million in aid given to Cambodia, he added: “I don’t know exactly what the money is for.” (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Rashid is one of only two remaining refugees who moved to the Kingdom under the A$55 million scheme, which Interior Ministry refugee department director Kerm Sarin defended yesterday.
“We have the obligation to give them protection .The refugees from Nauru have to come [here] voluntarily; we could not force them,” he said.
Sarin said he was “not concerned” about the $8,000 payment Australia promised refugees to entice them, and which Rashid said he had not received in full. Referring to the A$40 million in aid given to Cambodia, he added: “I don’t know exactly what the money is for.” (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Rohingya Representative meets Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee at the UN Human Rights Council
Tun Khin, President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK), met with Ms. Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma in Geneva today. She presented her new report to UN Human Rights Council yesterday afternoon.
BROUK welcome her new report in which she calls upon the new Government “to take steps to put an end to highly discriminatory policies and practices against the Rohingya and other Muslim communities in Rakhine State. In practice, these policies deny affected populations some of their most fundamental rights. Of particular importance is the need to restore freedom of movement for all, which in turn could facilitate the process of return and reintegration of communities. On-going discriminatory restrictions to freedom of movement are largely used to control the Rohingya population.”
Tun Khin discussed the four key steps proposed by BROUK to the incoming NLD-led government to start addressing the Rohingya crisis. These are: action against hate-speech and extremists, ensure humanitarian access, reform or repeal of the 1982 Citizenship Law, and justice and accountability, including an investigation into human rights violations against Rohingya in Rakhine State.
Tun Khin also spoke at a side event at the UN Human Rights Council, along with Chris Lewa, Director of the Arakan Project. The event was attended by diplomats, UN officials, Burmese civil society representatives and other NGOs. (Courtesy of Rohingyablogger)
BROUK welcome her new report in which she calls upon the new Government “to take steps to put an end to highly discriminatory policies and practices against the Rohingya and other Muslim communities in Rakhine State. In practice, these policies deny affected populations some of their most fundamental rights. Of particular importance is the need to restore freedom of movement for all, which in turn could facilitate the process of return and reintegration of communities. On-going discriminatory restrictions to freedom of movement are largely used to control the Rohingya population.”
Tun Khin discussed the four key steps proposed by BROUK to the incoming NLD-led government to start addressing the Rohingya crisis. These are: action against hate-speech and extremists, ensure humanitarian access, reform or repeal of the 1982 Citizenship Law, and justice and accountability, including an investigation into human rights violations against Rohingya in Rakhine State.
Tun Khin also spoke at a side event at the UN Human Rights Council, along with Chris Lewa, Director of the Arakan Project. The event was attended by diplomats, UN officials, Burmese civil society representatives and other NGOs. (Courtesy of Rohingyablogger)
No easy road ahead for Myanmar
Though difficult times no doubt still lie ahead, the citizens of Myanmar today awoke to a new dawn, far different from what was implied in the cynical name of the country's leading state-run newspaper. Today they have a democratically elected leader following decades of military rule.
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in November's election, but that triumph brings with it formidable responsibility. Citizens from all walks of life will now be counting on them to deliver tangible benefits to daily life under civilian rule.
"The Lady", as she's called admiringly, will not, however, be taking the helm herself. Four months of negotiations failed to remove or amend an article in country's contribution prohibiting Suu Kyi from becoming president. The NLD had no choice but to put forward alternatives for the president and vice-president's posts, choosing among the best and brightest remaining in its ranks. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in November's election, but that triumph brings with it formidable responsibility. Citizens from all walks of life will now be counting on them to deliver tangible benefits to daily life under civilian rule.
"The Lady", as she's called admiringly, will not, however, be taking the helm herself. Four months of negotiations failed to remove or amend an article in country's contribution prohibiting Suu Kyi from becoming president. The NLD had no choice but to put forward alternatives for the president and vice-president's posts, choosing among the best and brightest remaining in its ranks. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Myanmar military questions Suu Kyi picks ahead of presidential vote
Myanmar's powerful military questioned Aung San Suu Kyi's picks for president and vice president on Monday as tension simmered between the two sides a day before parliament votes on who should get the top job.
Relations between the armed forces and Suu Kyi will define the success or otherwise of Myanmar's most significant break from military rule since the army seized power in 1962, even though the constitution bars her from taking the presidency.
The democracy leader says she will run the country whoever becomes president, and her choice looks certain to be confirmed by parliament as her National League for Democracy (NLD) holds a sizeable majority after winning a landslide victory in a general election in November.
Last week, the NLD picked a close friend of Suu Kyi, Htin Kyaw, as its presidential candidate and Henry Van Thio to be a vice president to represent numerous ethnic minorities. (Courtesy of Reuters)
Relations between the armed forces and Suu Kyi will define the success or otherwise of Myanmar's most significant break from military rule since the army seized power in 1962, even though the constitution bars her from taking the presidency.
The democracy leader says she will run the country whoever becomes president, and her choice looks certain to be confirmed by parliament as her National League for Democracy (NLD) holds a sizeable majority after winning a landslide victory in a general election in November.
Last week, the NLD picked a close friend of Suu Kyi, Htin Kyaw, as its presidential candidate and Henry Van Thio to be a vice president to represent numerous ethnic minorities. (Courtesy of Reuters)
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