Ludu Daw Amar, one of Burma’s most celebrated writers and journalists, passed away in the cardiac ward of Mandalay general hospital this morning at the age of 93, her son Ko Nyein Chan said.
Born in 1915, Ludu Daw Amar was well known for her political activism, beginning with her involvement in the student movement against the British government.
She was co-publisher of the Ludu [People’s] daily newspaper, along with her husband Ludu U Hla, from its establishment in 1946 until its suspension in 1959.
The newspaper resumed publication but was permanently shut down in 1967 by Ne Win’s government, who also imprisoned Ludu U Hla.
Ludu Daw Amar was also known for her biographies of revolutionary leaders and famous artists, and published her first book while studying at Rangoon university.
Monday, 7 April 2008
Veteran journalist Kyemon U Thaung dies at 82
Veteran journalist and editor-in-chief of the Thailand-based New Era Journal Kyemon U Thaung died in exile in the US state of Florida last Thursday at the age of 82.
Kyemon U Thaung passed away at a medical centre in Fort Lauderdale where he had been admitted in mid-March with lung and heart problems.
He was born Tin Maung on 4 October 1926 in Nyaung U township, Mandalay division, to U Thar Phan and Daw Oak.
Kyemon U Thaung entered the world of journalism in 1947 and went on to become Burma’s longest-serving journalist, writing for over 60 years.
He took up the position of editor-in-chief of Burma’s Era newspaper in 1951, and started his own newspaper Kyemon [The Mirror] in 1957.
Kyemon gained widespread popularity and is still in operation today, but was nationalised after the Ne Win government came to power and Kyemon U Thaung was jailed.
Kyemon U Thaung left Burma for the US in 1977 and continued to write in exile.
Kyemon U Thaung passed away at a medical centre in Fort Lauderdale where he had been admitted in mid-March with lung and heart problems.
He was born Tin Maung on 4 October 1926 in Nyaung U township, Mandalay division, to U Thar Phan and Daw Oak.
Kyemon U Thaung entered the world of journalism in 1947 and went on to become Burma’s longest-serving journalist, writing for over 60 years.
He took up the position of editor-in-chief of Burma’s Era newspaper in 1951, and started his own newspaper Kyemon [The Mirror] in 1957.
Kyemon gained widespread popularity and is still in operation today, but was nationalised after the Ne Win government came to power and Kyemon U Thaung was jailed.
Kyemon U Thaung left Burma for the US in 1977 and continued to write in exile.
Two Maulanas, belonging to Maungdaw Township were arrested by Nasaka , Burma 's border security force on April 4 on charges that they were involved in anti-government activities and have links with exiled rebel groups, a source close to Nasaka said.
The arrested are Maulana Md. Hamid Hussain (45) and Maulana Md. Nuzu Meah (43), both hailing from Taungbro (Right) in Maungdaw Township.
On March 4 the Maulanas went to the village mosque for Friday prayers. After the prayers, the Maulanas allegedly talked to the gathering in the mosque against the ruling junta. This information was leaked to Nasaka. The Maulanas were arrested, he more added.
Besides, security personnel have been watching their activities over the last three months.
On March 5 the arrested were sent to the Tactical Operation Command (TOC) in Buthidaung Town for further interrogation, said a local elder.
Recently, authorities have stepped up arrest of influential and leading persons in the Rohingya community from Maungdaw town on false and fabricated charges, said a trader in Maungdaw town on condition of anonymity.
The arrested Maulanas Md. Hamid Hussain and Md. Nuzu Meah have never been involved in anti-government activities and last Friday they did not speak out against the regime. They only talked about religion, a relative said.
The arrested are Maulana Md. Hamid Hussain (45) and Maulana Md. Nuzu Meah (43), both hailing from Taungbro (Right) in Maungdaw Township.
On March 4 the Maulanas went to the village mosque for Friday prayers. After the prayers, the Maulanas allegedly talked to the gathering in the mosque against the ruling junta. This information was leaked to Nasaka. The Maulanas were arrested, he more added.
Besides, security personnel have been watching their activities over the last three months.
On March 5 the arrested were sent to the Tactical Operation Command (TOC) in Buthidaung Town for further interrogation, said a local elder.
Recently, authorities have stepped up arrest of influential and leading persons in the Rohingya community from Maungdaw town on false and fabricated charges, said a trader in Maungdaw town on condition of anonymity.
The arrested Maulanas Md. Hamid Hussain and Md. Nuzu Meah have never been involved in anti-government activities and last Friday they did not speak out against the regime. They only talked about religion, a relative said.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Burmese Continues Pre-Referendum Arrests,says US
The United States April 2 vehemently denounced the Burmese ruling military junta for continuing to arrest political dissidents who are peacefully opposing the draft constitution.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack issued the following statement at the daily briefing:
"We condemn the Burmese regime’s continued arrests and attacks on peaceful political activists. On March 29, Burmese authorities arrested six youth activists who had participated in a peaceful rally against the regime’s draft constitution. The following day, five Muslim community leaders in Rakhine state were arrested, reportedly for peaceful political activities. On two separate occasions over the past two weeks, democracy and human rights activists in Rangoon were assaulted and beaten with sticks. These blatant human rights abuses contribute to the climate of fear and repression in Burma as the regime prepares to conduct a referendum on its draft constitution.
"The democratic representatives of the Burmese people have made clear their opposition to the unjust process through which the regime seeks to impose its draft constitution, which it has yet to publish. Nonetheless, the regime is proceeding with its planned referendum. The regime’s arrests of individuals campaigning against the constitution, its failure to publish the constitution and welcome independent referendum monitors, and its continued refusal to release political prisoners undercut any claim that this referendum will be free and fair.
"We renew our call for the Burmese regime to release all detainees and political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and begin a genuine dialogue between the regime leadership and Burma’s democratic and ethnic minorities leading to a transition to democracy, as called for by the people of Burma and the UN Security Council in its October 2007 Presidential Statement."
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack issued the following statement at the daily briefing:
"We condemn the Burmese regime’s continued arrests and attacks on peaceful political activists. On March 29, Burmese authorities arrested six youth activists who had participated in a peaceful rally against the regime’s draft constitution. The following day, five Muslim community leaders in Rakhine state were arrested, reportedly for peaceful political activities. On two separate occasions over the past two weeks, democracy and human rights activists in Rangoon were assaulted and beaten with sticks. These blatant human rights abuses contribute to the climate of fear and repression in Burma as the regime prepares to conduct a referendum on its draft constitution.
"The democratic representatives of the Burmese people have made clear their opposition to the unjust process through which the regime seeks to impose its draft constitution, which it has yet to publish. Nonetheless, the regime is proceeding with its planned referendum. The regime’s arrests of individuals campaigning against the constitution, its failure to publish the constitution and welcome independent referendum monitors, and its continued refusal to release political prisoners undercut any claim that this referendum will be free and fair.
"We renew our call for the Burmese regime to release all detainees and political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and begin a genuine dialogue between the regime leadership and Burma’s democratic and ethnic minorities leading to a transition to democracy, as called for by the people of Burma and the UN Security Council in its October 2007 Presidential Statement."
US Concerned over North Korea Missile Sales to Burma
The United States said Thursday it would take the matter seriously if there are any indications of North Korea selling rocket launchers to Burma, though the US State Department could not confirm the report that appeared in the Japanese media on Wednesday.
“We've seen those reports, but we don't have any information that would be able to substantiate them,” State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters in Washington.
“Certainly, though, we would take seriously any indications that there have been violations of the various sanctions that were imposed on North Korea after its nuclear test the previous year,” Casey said.
The Japanese NHK public broadcast reported Wednesday that North Korea has been selling rocket launchers to Burma in violation of UN sanctions imposed against North Korea after it conducted nuclear tests in 2006.
Quoting the NHK report, news agencies reported the sale of rocket launchers was being handled by an unnamed Singapore trading country. No other immediate details were available however.
Htay Aung, a Burmese military researcher based in Thailand, told The Irrawaddy on Friday the Burmese military junta is seeking arms and other military equipment anywhere in the world to upgrade its Tatmadaw (armed forces).
“North Korea is one country among them,” he said. “But what we see is that Naypyidaw’s military upgrading seems to aim at external threats rather than internal ones, because the generals don’t need these kind of rockets to attack guerrilla groups. It is not useful for guerrilla warfare.”
Htay Aung added he heard that the Burmese army had set up new artillery, such as howitzers and rocket-launchers, along Burma’s eastern border. “Of course, the Royal Thai Army is scanning every footstep of the Burmese army,” Htay Aung added. “It means there is an ongoing arms race between Thailand and Burma in silence.”
Burmese-North Korean military ties are said to have been reestablished in 1999 when members of the Burmese junta paid a low-profile visit to the rogue state. The junta sent a delegation to North Korea secretly again in November 2000 for a meeting with high-ranking officials of North Korea’s the People’s Armed Forces. A North Korean delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Park Kil-yon met with his counterpart, Khin Maung Win, in June 2001.
Military analysts say the North Korean regime has provided weapons, military technology transfers and expertise in underground tunneling used for concealing secret military installations and, since 2002, dozens of North Korean technicians have worked for the Tatmadaw.
Burma and North Korea restored diplomatic ties last year ending a diplomatic crisis after North Korean special agents assassinated 18 South Korean officials, including four cabinet ministers, who were on a delegation to Burma in 1983.
“We've seen those reports, but we don't have any information that would be able to substantiate them,” State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters in Washington.
“Certainly, though, we would take seriously any indications that there have been violations of the various sanctions that were imposed on North Korea after its nuclear test the previous year,” Casey said.
The Japanese NHK public broadcast reported Wednesday that North Korea has been selling rocket launchers to Burma in violation of UN sanctions imposed against North Korea after it conducted nuclear tests in 2006.
Quoting the NHK report, news agencies reported the sale of rocket launchers was being handled by an unnamed Singapore trading country. No other immediate details were available however.
Htay Aung, a Burmese military researcher based in Thailand, told The Irrawaddy on Friday the Burmese military junta is seeking arms and other military equipment anywhere in the world to upgrade its Tatmadaw (armed forces).
“North Korea is one country among them,” he said. “But what we see is that Naypyidaw’s military upgrading seems to aim at external threats rather than internal ones, because the generals don’t need these kind of rockets to attack guerrilla groups. It is not useful for guerrilla warfare.”
Htay Aung added he heard that the Burmese army had set up new artillery, such as howitzers and rocket-launchers, along Burma’s eastern border. “Of course, the Royal Thai Army is scanning every footstep of the Burmese army,” Htay Aung added. “It means there is an ongoing arms race between Thailand and Burma in silence.”
Burmese-North Korean military ties are said to have been reestablished in 1999 when members of the Burmese junta paid a low-profile visit to the rogue state. The junta sent a delegation to North Korea secretly again in November 2000 for a meeting with high-ranking officials of North Korea’s the People’s Armed Forces. A North Korean delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Park Kil-yon met with his counterpart, Khin Maung Win, in June 2001.
Military analysts say the North Korean regime has provided weapons, military technology transfers and expertise in underground tunneling used for concealing secret military installations and, since 2002, dozens of North Korean technicians have worked for the Tatmadaw.
Burma and North Korea restored diplomatic ties last year ending a diplomatic crisis after North Korean special agents assassinated 18 South Korean officials, including four cabinet ministers, who were on a delegation to Burma in 1983.
NLD banned from visiting prisoners
An assistance programme run by the National League for Democracy providing food and other necessities to inmates of Insein prison has been stopped by new regulations, an NLD member said.
The NLD had been visiting about 50 people held at the prison, including around 30 monks who were arrested after the September 2007 demonstrations, to provide them with packages containing food and other items.
The NLD member said most of the monks were from the well-known Ngway Kyar Yan, Shwe Taung and Maggin monasteries and the detained laypeople were from Arakan State, Shan state and Magwe division and so their own families found it difficult to visit them.
But now prison authorities have banned non-family members from visiting the detainees or giving parcels.
“We have been doing this to give assistance to monks and detainees from areas outside Rangoon as it was impossible for their families to come visit them regularly,” the NLD member said.
“On Tuesday, the Insein prison authorities set out a new regulation concerning prison visits, which says that only family members are now allowed to visit the detainees.”
The NLD had been visiting about 50 people held at the prison, including around 30 monks who were arrested after the September 2007 demonstrations, to provide them with packages containing food and other items.
The NLD member said most of the monks were from the well-known Ngway Kyar Yan, Shwe Taung and Maggin monasteries and the detained laypeople were from Arakan State, Shan state and Magwe division and so their own families found it difficult to visit them.
But now prison authorities have banned non-family members from visiting the detainees or giving parcels.
“We have been doing this to give assistance to monks and detainees from areas outside Rangoon as it was impossible for their families to come visit them regularly,” the NLD member said.
“On Tuesday, the Insein prison authorities set out a new regulation concerning prison visits, which says that only family members are now allowed to visit the detainees.”
The US government has paved the way for tens of thousands of ethnic Karen refugees to apply to resettle in the United States.
Ellen Sauerbrey, US assistant secretary of state for population, refugees and migrations, said an anti-terrorism law that had barred many ethnic Karen refugees had been waived on Tuesday.
We look forward to welcoming thousands of refugees
Ellen Sauerbrey
Under stringent anti-terrorism laws passed after the September 11 attacks, people who provide "material support" to terrorist organizations are not eligible to resettle in the United States.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Mr Kenneth Roth request to South Africa
SOUTH Africa was urged yesterday to help end human rights crises in Somalia and other countries, like Sudan and Myanmar, by putting to use its experience in ending apartheid.
South Africa’s UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, who assumed leadership of the 15-nation Security Council for the month of April on Tuesday, has spoken against UN inaction in places where the civilian population suffer from abusive regimes.
He had been calling for UN peacekeeping troops to end the conflicts in Somalia, but other council members fear conditions are not yet suitable for UN troops.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a letter to South Africa’s minister of foreign affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, that the council presidency should lead to significant progress on human rights crises in those countries.
“The Security Council should be signalling hope to civilians in crisis, but so far it has failed the people of Darfur, Burma and Somalia,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.
“South Africa should lead the Security Council in a major new international effort to end horrible abuses in these places and save lives.”
The group urged South Africa to set up an international commission to investigate war crimes in Somalia and for an increased international human rights monitoring presence in the country.
“South Africa has a strong record of speaking out on the need for Security Council action on the appalling human rights situation in Somalia,” Roth said.
Separately yesterday, non-governmental organisations that are dedicated to relief assistance for Somalia called for a political framework to be decided by the council to end the conflicts there.
British Ambassador John Sawers, who met with the NGOs, said the political framework should include national reconciliation and measures aimed at ending impunity in a nation torn by decades of internal fighting.
South Africa’s UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, who assumed leadership of the 15-nation Security Council for the month of April on Tuesday, has spoken against UN inaction in places where the civilian population suffer from abusive regimes.
He had been calling for UN peacekeeping troops to end the conflicts in Somalia, but other council members fear conditions are not yet suitable for UN troops.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a letter to South Africa’s minister of foreign affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, that the council presidency should lead to significant progress on human rights crises in those countries.
“The Security Council should be signalling hope to civilians in crisis, but so far it has failed the people of Darfur, Burma and Somalia,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.
“South Africa should lead the Security Council in a major new international effort to end horrible abuses in these places and save lives.”
The group urged South Africa to set up an international commission to investigate war crimes in Somalia and for an increased international human rights monitoring presence in the country.
“South Africa has a strong record of speaking out on the need for Security Council action on the appalling human rights situation in Somalia,” Roth said.
Separately yesterday, non-governmental organisations that are dedicated to relief assistance for Somalia called for a political framework to be decided by the council to end the conflicts there.
British Ambassador John Sawers, who met with the NGOs, said the political framework should include national reconciliation and measures aimed at ending impunity in a nation torn by decades of internal fighting.
NLD urges constitution no vote
Burma's opposition National League for Democracy has called on voters to reject the new constitution backed by the military government in a referendum next month.
A statement from the party said the draft constitution had been drawn-up one-sidedly by people chosen by the country's military rulers.
It said voters should clearly and bravely vote no.
The proposed constitution is the result of a lengthy process which the authorities say will lead to elections in 2010.
But the constitution bars the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi from standing for president.
Burma's opposition National League for Democracy has called on voters to reject the new constitution backed by the military government in a referendum next month.
A statement from the party said the draft constitution had been drawn-up one-sidedly by people chosen by the country's military rulers.
It said voters should clearly and bravely vote no.
The proposed constitution is the result of a lengthy process which the authorities say will lead to elections in 2010.
But the constitution bars the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi from standing for president.
NLD youth coordinator arrested
Ko Aung Htun, youth coordinator for the National League for Democracy in Thingangyun township, Rangoon, was arrested yesterday evening and is being held in an unknown location, his wife said.
Aung Htun was arrested at his house at around 11pm yesterday by the ward Peace and Development Council chairman and four other officials.
Ma Nweni Htun, Aung Htun’s wife, said she went to the ward PDC office about 30 minutes later to give her husband some medicine for his gastric problems but found he was no longer there.
Nweni Htun said she was worried about her husband as she does not know where he is being held.
Ko Aung Htun, youth coordinator for the National League for Democracy in Thingangyun township, Rangoon, was arrested yesterday evening and is being held in an unknown location, his wife said.
Aung Htun was arrested at his house at around 11pm yesterday by the ward Peace and Development Council chairman and four other officials.
Ma Nweni Htun, Aung Htun’s wife, said she went to the ward PDC office about 30 minutes later to give her husband some medicine for his gastric problems but found he was no longer there.
Nweni Htun said she was worried about her husband as she does not know where he is being held.
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