Myanmar’s parliament should reject a proposed law that would shield former presidents from prosecution for crimes committed during their terms in office, Human Rights Watch said on December 23.
Published in the state-run newspaper on December 21, the Former Presidents Security Bill grants immunity to former heads of state “from any prosecution for actions during his term.” Outlined in article 10, this provision would protect former presidents from domestic prosecution for even the most serious crimes committed while in office, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The Former Presidents Security Bill is a brazen attempt to shoehorn immunity from prosecution into the president’s retirement package,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The immunity provision should be stripped from the proposed law so that President Thein Sein and future Burmese presidents remain accountable for any crimes they commit.”
The draft law consists of 14 clauses that outline the government’s commitment to support retired presidents, such as lifetime funding for a bodyguard and other personal security measures. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
December 24, 2015
Myanmar cardinal stresses peace and justice in Christmas message
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has called on people of goodwill to work for peace and justice in Myanmar in the aftermath of November elections.
"This is a great time to be in this country. By reconciling with one another, forgetting all the past darkness of hatred, we can make Christ's message of peace possible to all people of goodwill," Cardinal Bo said in his Christmas message released on Dec. 22.
Cardinal Bo said that after many years of expectation it is natural to look for quick results, but that democracy is a process "not a drama that ends with a night of celebration."
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy swept Nov. 8 polls against the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party that took power in 2010 following five decades of military rule.
Cardinal Bo congratulated the people of Myanmar for conducting a peaceful election.
"It is our duty to build a nation without war and want. With goodwill we can and we will do that," he said. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
"This is a great time to be in this country. By reconciling with one another, forgetting all the past darkness of hatred, we can make Christ's message of peace possible to all people of goodwill," Cardinal Bo said in his Christmas message released on Dec. 22.
Cardinal Bo said that after many years of expectation it is natural to look for quick results, but that democracy is a process "not a drama that ends with a night of celebration."
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy swept Nov. 8 polls against the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party that took power in 2010 following five decades of military rule.
Cardinal Bo congratulated the people of Myanmar for conducting a peaceful election.
"It is our duty to build a nation without war and want. With goodwill we can and we will do that," he said. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
INGOs push disaster risk education in Myanmar
Children can be “agents of change”. This is the message behind the efforts of a number of NGOs tasked with raising awareness of the dangers posed by earthquakes and other natural disasters, and how to react in an emergency.
NGOs say there is a need for greater awareness on disaster risk, including the risks posed by earthquakes, particularly in urban areas, and one way of doing this is by integrating Disaster Risk Reduction or DRR into the education system.
DRR in education has multiple benefits including helping to keep children safe in schools – for example, if there is an earthquake during school hours - but also in building the capacity of children to be “agents of change” in spreading disaster awareness and preparedness messages to other children, parents and their wider communities. In simple terms, using children can have a multiplier effect, allowing a message to be sent out exponentially.
Plan Myanmar, the Myanmar branch of Plan International, is one of many organizations in Myanmar and under the DPRE Working Group that is reaching out to children to spread the need to be prepared for disasters. The NGO is currently working with 96 schools to carry out school-based DRR activities. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
NGOs say there is a need for greater awareness on disaster risk, including the risks posed by earthquakes, particularly in urban areas, and one way of doing this is by integrating Disaster Risk Reduction or DRR into the education system.
DRR in education has multiple benefits including helping to keep children safe in schools – for example, if there is an earthquake during school hours - but also in building the capacity of children to be “agents of change” in spreading disaster awareness and preparedness messages to other children, parents and their wider communities. In simple terms, using children can have a multiplier effect, allowing a message to be sent out exponentially.
Plan Myanmar, the Myanmar branch of Plan International, is one of many organizations in Myanmar and under the DPRE Working Group that is reaching out to children to spread the need to be prepared for disasters. The NGO is currently working with 96 schools to carry out school-based DRR activities. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Border dispute delays Myanmar-China tourist gateway
Vice president U Sai Mauk Kham paid his third visit to the site, in Muse Central Economic Zone, on December 19 to check on progress.
“The two governments are negotiating to demarcate the border line. I hope agreement will soon be reached,” he said, adding that attempts to build the gate in 2004 and 2011 had foundered over disagreements concerning the exact border line.
“We don’t want any more delay, so the Union government is trying to find a way to resolve the matter. We hope the regional government will play its part too,” said the vice president.
Extensive cross-border trade already passes through three gates, namely Nandaw, Sin Phyu and Mant Wane.
“We allowed for a 10-metre space on either side of the border line [for discussion purposes], but the Chinese side breached that rule,” said U Ngwe Soe, project director of New Starlight construction company, which is building the gate. “We have built the gate on our side, for the benefit of international tourists wishing to come and go. This would require us to sign an agreement with China, so that tourists passing through from China can enter Myanmar and other countries through the gate.” (Courtesy of MMTimes)
“The two governments are negotiating to demarcate the border line. I hope agreement will soon be reached,” he said, adding that attempts to build the gate in 2004 and 2011 had foundered over disagreements concerning the exact border line.
“We don’t want any more delay, so the Union government is trying to find a way to resolve the matter. We hope the regional government will play its part too,” said the vice president.
Extensive cross-border trade already passes through three gates, namely Nandaw, Sin Phyu and Mant Wane.
“We allowed for a 10-metre space on either side of the border line [for discussion purposes], but the Chinese side breached that rule,” said U Ngwe Soe, project director of New Starlight construction company, which is building the gate. “We have built the gate on our side, for the benefit of international tourists wishing to come and go. This would require us to sign an agreement with China, so that tourists passing through from China can enter Myanmar and other countries through the gate.” (Courtesy of MMTimes)
Newly arrived Kaman Muslims in Yangon defy govt pressure to return to Rakhine State
A group of 22 Kaman Muslims who came to Yangon from conflict-affected Rakhine State last month are refusing an order from authorities to return to the state, saying they have full citizenship rights and are legally allowed to move freely throughout Myanmar.
“We don’t care if they arrest us. We are not going back. We are holders of national identity cards. So, we assume authorities have no right to arrest us,” Tin Zar Hnin, a mother of one who came to Yangon to be with her husband, told Myanmar Now.
In mid-November, the group left Ramree Island (Yanbye Island), located off the Rakhine coast. They had been living there under harsh conditions in a camp for families displaced by outbreaks of inter-communal violence between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in 2012.
They came by car and air, and did not encounter any problems along the way, the interviewees said. After several weeks, authorities in Yangon approached the Kaman National Development Party office in Mayangon Township asking it to pass on an order stating that the group had to return to their camp as they had left without prior permission.
“An immigration official in Yangon called and asked me if we would send back these people according to our plans, or if the government has to arrange it,” said Tin Hlaing Win, secretary of the Kaman National Development Party. “We said we cannot do this as these people have valid national identity cards.” (Courtesy of Mizzima)
“We don’t care if they arrest us. We are not going back. We are holders of national identity cards. So, we assume authorities have no right to arrest us,” Tin Zar Hnin, a mother of one who came to Yangon to be with her husband, told Myanmar Now.
In mid-November, the group left Ramree Island (Yanbye Island), located off the Rakhine coast. They had been living there under harsh conditions in a camp for families displaced by outbreaks of inter-communal violence between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in 2012.
They came by car and air, and did not encounter any problems along the way, the interviewees said. After several weeks, authorities in Yangon approached the Kaman National Development Party office in Mayangon Township asking it to pass on an order stating that the group had to return to their camp as they had left without prior permission.
“An immigration official in Yangon called and asked me if we would send back these people according to our plans, or if the government has to arrange it,” said Tin Hlaing Win, secretary of the Kaman National Development Party. “We said we cannot do this as these people have valid national identity cards.” (Courtesy of Mizzima)
SC. After Victory in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi Quietly Shapes a Transition. News Source
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — Since her party bash’s thumping election success last month, Myanmar’s democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has stated little & made few public appearances. So when she emerged just lately in her constituency, she was mobbed by reporters & photographers, earnest for some hint about how her party bash will govern after the brand new Parliament is seated next month. It was to not be. She’d come to decide up trash, an exercise described by her party bash as bringing alter by means of acts of particular human being responsibility. “Don’t just take photos,” she scolded the photographers as she crouched to the shrubs masking the sandy soil of the Irrawaddy Delta and commenced picking up bits of trash. “Help pick up the garbage.” Throughout the six weeks since Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi emerged as probably the most powerful individual in this country of 51 million people, she has kept the country guessing on details of the convey of power to her democracy movement from the military institution in that has dominated for greater than 5 decades. Timeline | A Life in Politics She has done a number of meditating, one aide stated. (Courtesy of South Carolina SC)
IHI to make concrete with Myanmar government
TOKYO -- IHI will partner with the government of Myanmar to build a $15 million concrete factory there, developing the country's materials sector and helping meet surging demand for infrastructure.
The Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer will contribute 60% of the cost, with Myanmar's construction ministry putting forth the rest. The partners could break ground as soon as January in Yangon, the country's largest city. A start to operations is eyed for September or October, said Kyaw Linn, the ministry's permanent secretary. The midsize plant will be able to produce 77,000 tons of high-strength precast concrete annually.
The project marks the second factory established jointly by the ministry and a Japanese company since Myanmar returned to civilian rule in 2011. The first, involving JFE Engineering, produces material for steel bridges and other such structures. IHI's venture is expected to meet more diverse demand from the public and private sectors. (Courtesy of Nikkei Asian Review)
The Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer will contribute 60% of the cost, with Myanmar's construction ministry putting forth the rest. The partners could break ground as soon as January in Yangon, the country's largest city. A start to operations is eyed for September or October, said Kyaw Linn, the ministry's permanent secretary. The midsize plant will be able to produce 77,000 tons of high-strength precast concrete annually.
The project marks the second factory established jointly by the ministry and a Japanese company since Myanmar returned to civilian rule in 2011. The first, involving JFE Engineering, produces material for steel bridges and other such structures. IHI's venture is expected to meet more diverse demand from the public and private sectors. (Courtesy of Nikkei Asian Review)
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