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)
May 23, 2016
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)
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