Myanmar’s military commander-in-chief has vowed that the country’s powerful military will cooperate with government negotiators and armed ethnic organizations to ensure the success of Aung San Suu Kyi’s 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in August.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made the comment during a meeting Wednesday in the capital Naypyidaw with the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST)—leaders from the eight armed ethnic groups that signed a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) with the government last October—said Arakan Liberation Party leader Saw Mra Razar Lin, who was among the attendees.
“The army has full responsibility with regard to the democracy process being in place and will fully cooperate and help,” Saw Mya Raza Lin told RFA’s Myanmar Service. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
June 30, 2016
Buddhist-Muslim Violence in South and South-East Asia: The Local Becomes Regional, or a Clash of Civilizations?
This month the UN released a report addressing “serious” human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar at the hands of the Buddhist majority, and the two-year anniversary of Sri Lanka’s deadly Aluthgama and Dharga Town riots, allegedly incited by Buddhist monks and targeting Muslim homes, property, and lives. Farther east, Thailand’s Deep South struggles into its twelfth year of violence, which has seen soldiers escort teachers to schools and monks on their alms rounds amidst clashes with Salafists and Malay Muslim nationalists, while less recently Muslim hardliners in Jakarta have bombed Buddhist temples and Myanmarese embassies. (Courtesy of intpolicydigest.org)
Myanmar gov’t urged to eradicate roots of repression
An international human rights advocacy group urged Myanmar’s civilian-led government and parliament Wednesday to repeal or amend draconian and colonial-era laws enacted by the former junta to suppress peaceful speech and assembly.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia Director Brad Adams praised the effort of Myanmar’s new government -- led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi -- to release hundreds of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest, and to drop charges against others, shortly after it took power in late March. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia Director Brad Adams praised the effort of Myanmar’s new government -- led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi -- to release hundreds of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest, and to drop charges against others, shortly after it took power in late March. (Courtesy of turkishweekly.net)
State Counsellor’s Office criticised for narrow definition of ‘political prisoner’
The minister for the State Counsellor’s Office Minister said this week that only detainees who are prosecuted legally for their involvement in demonstrations will be recognised as political prisoners. Groups working to protect the rights of political prisoners have strongly condemned the minister’s statement.
Union Minister Kyaw Tint Swe said: “We are supporting the goodwill and the instruction of the State Counsellor in order to eliminate political prisoners under the democratic government. There may be many differences regarding [between definitions of] a political prisoner according to the data of unofficial organisations. We define it, according to the policy of the State Counsellor, as only those who faced legal prosecution in line with the law for taking part in demonstrations.
Groups representing political prisoners criticised the minister’s definitions, saying it implies that people who were imprisoned for political activities for violating other laws are not recognised as political prisoners. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Union Minister Kyaw Tint Swe said: “We are supporting the goodwill and the instruction of the State Counsellor in order to eliminate political prisoners under the democratic government. There may be many differences regarding [between definitions of] a political prisoner according to the data of unofficial organisations. We define it, according to the policy of the State Counsellor, as only those who faced legal prosecution in line with the law for taking part in demonstrations.
Groups representing political prisoners criticised the minister’s definitions, saying it implies that people who were imprisoned for political activities for violating other laws are not recognised as political prisoners. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Myanmar should dismantle laws blocking free speech: Human Rights Watch
Myanmar’s government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), should amend and abolish laws that threaten freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Wednesday.
Laws covering areas from telecommunications to defamation have been used to arrest at least 70 people this month, said the report’s author, Linda Lakhdhir.
The arrests come despite reforms by former President Thein Sein and the NLD, which won the November election in a landslide, giving it control of both houses of parliament and installing Suu Kyi as the country’s de facto leader. (Courtesy of srnnews.com)
Laws covering areas from telecommunications to defamation have been used to arrest at least 70 people this month, said the report’s author, Linda Lakhdhir.
The arrests come despite reforms by former President Thein Sein and the NLD, which won the November election in a landslide, giving it control of both houses of parliament and installing Suu Kyi as the country’s de facto leader. (Courtesy of srnnews.com)
More reform needed to protect activists, reporters: HRW
Myanmar’s new government needs to take bold action to dismantle a number of repressive laws during the next session of parliament, a new report from Human Rights Watch urged on Wednesday.
Despite a wide-ranging executive pardon that saw the release of scores of political prisoners in April and some preliminary legislative changes, the New York-based rights group said that a number of laws that remained on the books left the possibility of future prosecutions against activists and reporters.
“The new government, led by the National League for Democracy, has moved quickly to release many of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest and to drop charges against others,” said HRW director Brad Adams. “But it’s crucial that the legal infrastructure of repression be dismantled so that there is no chance Burma will ever hold political prisoners again.” (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Despite a wide-ranging executive pardon that saw the release of scores of political prisoners in April and some preliminary legislative changes, the New York-based rights group said that a number of laws that remained on the books left the possibility of future prosecutions against activists and reporters.
“The new government, led by the National League for Democracy, has moved quickly to release many of those imprisoned for peaceful expression or protest and to drop charges against others,” said HRW director Brad Adams. “But it’s crucial that the legal infrastructure of repression be dismantled so that there is no chance Burma will ever hold political prisoners again.” (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Yanghee Lee meets Union ministers
The new Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has granted four foreign investment proposals and four locals' since its reformation, according to Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) Wednesday.
The foreign investment proposals deal with manufacturing of footware and electric wire, publishing of news paper in foreign language, providing service of supply chain equipment.
The new 11-member Investment Commission, formed on June 8 with Minister for Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win as chairman. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
The foreign investment proposals deal with manufacturing of footware and electric wire, publishing of news paper in foreign language, providing service of supply chain equipment.
The new 11-member Investment Commission, formed on June 8 with Minister for Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win as chairman. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
Yanghee Lee meets Union ministers
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Ms Yanghee Lee, met several Union ministers separately in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
In the morning she called on Union Minister for the State Counsellor's Office Kyaw Tint Swe and Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win, separately.
Lee explained her duties to Minister Kyaw Tin Swe and discussed the situation in Rakhine State and the internal peace issue. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
In the morning she called on Union Minister for the State Counsellor's Office Kyaw Tint Swe and Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win, separately.
Lee explained her duties to Minister Kyaw Tin Swe and discussed the situation in Rakhine State and the internal peace issue. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Thai deputy PM arrives on visit to Myanmar
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan arrived Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday on a two-day visit to Myanmar, according to official sources.
Wongsuwan's trip came three days after Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi concluded her trip to Thailand.
During his stay in Myanmar, Wongsuwan is expected to meet with President U Htin Kyaw and Suu Kyi, who is also foreign minister.
Wongsuwan will also hold talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Service Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing and Defense Minister Lt-Gen Sein Win on military cooperation, reports said. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
Wongsuwan's trip came three days after Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi concluded her trip to Thailand.
During his stay in Myanmar, Wongsuwan is expected to meet with President U Htin Kyaw and Suu Kyi, who is also foreign minister.
Wongsuwan will also hold talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Service Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing and Defense Minister Lt-Gen Sein Win on military cooperation, reports said. (Courtesy of shanghaidaily.com)
Buddhist nationalist group threatens stability in Myanmar
An anti-Muslim Buddhist nationalist group in Myanmar is rapidly extending its influence, growing into a political force that could pose a serious challenge to the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The group, known as Ma Ba Tha, holds rallies that attract huge crowds, a sign that its message strongly appeals to many people in the country.
Ma Ba Tha is winning popular support by playing on people's fears about a sharp increase in the Muslim population. The group's growing clout may soon force Suu Kyi, who leads the government as state counselor, to start tackling touchy religious issues she has been carefully eschewing so far. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
The group, known as Ma Ba Tha, holds rallies that attract huge crowds, a sign that its message strongly appeals to many people in the country.
Ma Ba Tha is winning popular support by playing on people's fears about a sharp increase in the Muslim population. The group's growing clout may soon force Suu Kyi, who leads the government as state counselor, to start tackling touchy religious issues she has been carefully eschewing so far. (Courtesy of asia.nikkei.com)
Muslim holy month a time for inter-faith unity: Myanmar civil groups
Some civil organisations in Myanmar are making use of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to conduct more inter-religious activities to promote the understanding of Islam. This will hopefully help the various communities of different faiths in Myanmar to interact and learn more about each other’s beliefs.
In the last few years, Myanmar has seen cases of outbreaks of violence between some Buddhists and Muslims. Many such cases were sparked by rumours, misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about each other’s religion.
One Buddhist citizen who does not know much about Islam is 23-year-old Paing Aung. He has Muslim friends but has never stepped into a mosque. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
In the last few years, Myanmar has seen cases of outbreaks of violence between some Buddhists and Muslims. Many such cases were sparked by rumours, misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about each other’s religion.
One Buddhist citizen who does not know much about Islam is 23-year-old Paing Aung. He has Muslim friends but has never stepped into a mosque. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Dhaka for more economic ties with Myanmar
Dhaka wants economic issues to dominate Bangladesh and Myanmar relationship to remove misunderstanding and misperception.
“The bilateral trade figure is meager with not even $100 million where we have ample scope to do business,” a senior official of the foreign ministry said.
He said Dhaka would not discuss domestic political issue of other countries as it considers the subject as internal affairs of the country.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque went to Myanmar as a special envoy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the official said. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
“The bilateral trade figure is meager with not even $100 million where we have ample scope to do business,” a senior official of the foreign ministry said.
He said Dhaka would not discuss domestic political issue of other countries as it considers the subject as internal affairs of the country.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque went to Myanmar as a special envoy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the official said. (Courtesy of dhakatribune.com)
US to downgrade Myanmar in annual human trafficking report
The United States has decided to place Myanmar on its global list of worst offenders in human trafficking, officials said, a move aimed at prodding the country’s new democratically elected government and its still-powerful military to do more to curb the use of child soldiers and forced labour.
The reprimand of Myanmar comes despite US efforts to court the strategically important country to help counteract China’s rise in the region and build a Southeast Asian bulwark against Beijing’s territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Myanmar’s demotion, part of the State Department’s closely watched annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report due to be released on Thursday, also appears intended to send a message of US concern about continued widespread persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in the Buddhist-majority nation. (Courtesy of dailytimes.com.pk)
The reprimand of Myanmar comes despite US efforts to court the strategically important country to help counteract China’s rise in the region and build a Southeast Asian bulwark against Beijing’s territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Myanmar’s demotion, part of the State Department’s closely watched annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report due to be released on Thursday, also appears intended to send a message of US concern about continued widespread persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in the Buddhist-majority nation. (Courtesy of dailytimes.com.pk)
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