One test for this dream of Community is whether the lives of ordinary citizens will improve and one hard issue will be the ongoing tragedy of trafficking in people.
Last year, mass graves were discovered along the border of Thailand and Malaysia, containing the remains of more than 200 people.
The cases are still under investigation, but most fear the victims were from the Rakhine State in Myanmar – called the Rohingya by some – and had been kidnapped or illegally trafficked before being abandoned and killed. (Courtesy of The Malaysian Insider)
January 24, 2016
Myanmar’s Annual Rohingya Exodus Placed on Hold
It is “sailing season” in Myanmar, a time when thousands of persecuted Rohingya Muslims have typically taken to the seas in pursuit of better lives abroad.
But this year is different. Government crackdowns on human traffickers and a historic election have many people cautiously optimistic that the situation for the Rohingya may finally improve.
In recent years, thousands of ostracized Rohingya Muslims have fled from beaches at Sittwe, capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state, on dangerous trips abroad. Some have fallen prey to traffickers.
Despite the risks, many have chosen to flee rather than endure life in Myanmar, in restrictive camps, with little education, substandard medical care and mass unemployment. Many are despondent. (Courtesy of VOA)
But this year is different. Government crackdowns on human traffickers and a historic election have many people cautiously optimistic that the situation for the Rohingya may finally improve.
In recent years, thousands of ostracized Rohingya Muslims have fled from beaches at Sittwe, capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state, on dangerous trips abroad. Some have fallen prey to traffickers.
Despite the risks, many have chosen to flee rather than endure life in Myanmar, in restrictive camps, with little education, substandard medical care and mass unemployment. Many are despondent. (Courtesy of VOA)
Suu Kyi's party stays mum on choice for president
The son-in-law of former Myanmar strongman Than Shwe is among the military appointees named to state legislatures and the country's new Parliament, which will convene on Feb 1. Brigadier-General Thein Naing has been appointed to the Yangon legislature.
Under Myanmar's junta-era 2008 Constitution, 25 per cent of seats in both Houses of Parliament and state and regional legislatures are reserved for the military - a footprint that in effect allows it to veto any amendment to the Constitution.
But with a Nov 8 landslide electoral win, the National League for Democracy (NLD) controls both Houses - and now all eyes are on who will be the country's next president. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Under Myanmar's junta-era 2008 Constitution, 25 per cent of seats in both Houses of Parliament and state and regional legislatures are reserved for the military - a footprint that in effect allows it to veto any amendment to the Constitution.
But with a Nov 8 landslide electoral win, the National League for Democracy (NLD) controls both Houses - and now all eyes are on who will be the country's next president. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Prisoner amnesty: too little, too late
The outgoing government has released 102 prisoners across the country, announced Zaw Htay, director of the President's Office, on Facebook. The list does not include students who are still on trial after their arrest around March 10 last year.
The students were not prisoners but were under investigation in the courts and they were engaged in the legal process, he said.
Under the leadership of the All Burma Federation Student Unions, the students demanded reform of the National Education Law.
In Letpadan, Bago Region, there was a large crackdown on them and Phyoe Phyoe Aung, Nanda Sit Aung, Min Thway Thit and other supporters were detained at Thayawady Prison. Their trials continue. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The students were not prisoners but were under investigation in the courts and they were engaged in the legal process, he said.
Under the leadership of the All Burma Federation Student Unions, the students demanded reform of the National Education Law.
In Letpadan, Bago Region, there was a large crackdown on them and Phyoe Phyoe Aung, Nanda Sit Aung, Min Thway Thit and other supporters were detained at Thayawady Prison. Their trials continue. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Rights groups upset over jailing of activist for Facebook post
A prisoner amnesty in Myanmar on Friday does not go nearly far enough as scores of peaceful activists remain behind bars, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said.
The government announced on January 22 the release of 102 prisoners, including at least 16 prisoners of conscience who Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had campaigned for.
Those released include three convicted of religious defamation in late 2014 for allegedly insulting an image of a Buddha in a bar advertisement. New Zealand citizen Philip Blackwood and his Myanmar business partners Ko Tun Thurein and Ko Htut Ko Ko Lwin were sentenced to two and half years hard labour. Other political prisoners released include land rights activists involved in protests at the Letpadaung copper mine and in Yangon. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
The government announced on January 22 the release of 102 prisoners, including at least 16 prisoners of conscience who Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had campaigned for.
Those released include three convicted of religious defamation in late 2014 for allegedly insulting an image of a Buddha in a bar advertisement. New Zealand citizen Philip Blackwood and his Myanmar business partners Ko Tun Thurein and Ko Htut Ko Ko Lwin were sentenced to two and half years hard labour. Other political prisoners released include land rights activists involved in protests at the Letpadaung copper mine and in Yangon. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Cops step up ops over market shootings
The police have stepped up their operation over the Selayang market incident, with 53 more suspects rounded up.
This brings to 176 the total number of suspects nabbed since the incident, in which a two-year-old boy was shot and wounded.
Police have enlisted the help of City Hall, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Immigration Department, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), National Anti-drugs Agency (AADK) and JPJ in their all out “war” against those involved. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Foreigners allowed to purchase condominium apartment in Myanmar
Foreigners have been allowed to purchase not over 40 percent of condominium apartment in Myanmar in accordance with the approved Condominium Law beginning this year, official sources said Saturday.
The Condominium Law is applied to high-rise residential building having minimum six floors and it should be built on an area of 20,000 square feet or over. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
The Condominium Law is applied to high-rise residential building having minimum six floors and it should be built on an area of 20,000 square feet or over. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
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