Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Suu Kyi receives Gandhi peace award
Burma’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was yesterday awarded the Mahatma Gandhi prize in a ceremony in South Africa attended by her cousin.
The award was handed to Sein Win, Suu Kyi’s cousin and prime minister of the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.
Former South African MP and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Ela Gandhi, told DVB that the awarded carried with it a call for Suu Kyi’s release.
“We would like the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political detainees and to come to negotiated settlement,” she said. “A military solution is not a good solution.”
The Gandhi trust had previously sent a notification letter to the Burmese embassy in South Africa acknowledging the award, but the embassy declined to accept the letter and returned it to the trust.
“We are very disappointed with this very impolite response,” said a member of the Gandhi trust.
Sein Win said that the award was appropriate given that Suu Kyi had long advocated Gandhi’s ideology of non-violence.
“She has always been calling for peace and national reconciliation, and she always urged non-violent struggle,” he said. “We think that [this award] is a very appropriate thing and we are very proud of her.”
The chairperson of the Free Burma Campaign (South Africa), Dr Thein Win, drew a parallel between the struggle for democratic transition in Burma and in South Africa during apartheid.
“A lot of people who were involved in South Africa’s apartheid revolution told us they never expected the revolution to end this quick,” he said.
“But sometimes, under particular circumstances, history can be changed in a sudden moment. We are [keeping hope] that truth will win one day.”
The award was handed to Sein Win, Suu Kyi’s cousin and prime minister of the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.
Former South African MP and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Ela Gandhi, told DVB that the awarded carried with it a call for Suu Kyi’s release.
“We would like the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political detainees and to come to negotiated settlement,” she said. “A military solution is not a good solution.”
The Gandhi trust had previously sent a notification letter to the Burmese embassy in South Africa acknowledging the award, but the embassy declined to accept the letter and returned it to the trust.
“We are very disappointed with this very impolite response,” said a member of the Gandhi trust.
Sein Win said that the award was appropriate given that Suu Kyi had long advocated Gandhi’s ideology of non-violence.
“She has always been calling for peace and national reconciliation, and she always urged non-violent struggle,” he said. “We think that [this award] is a very appropriate thing and we are very proud of her.”
The chairperson of the Free Burma Campaign (South Africa), Dr Thein Win, drew a parallel between the struggle for democratic transition in Burma and in South Africa during apartheid.
“A lot of people who were involved in South Africa’s apartheid revolution told us they never expected the revolution to end this quick,” he said.
“But sometimes, under particular circumstances, history can be changed in a sudden moment. We are [keeping hope] that truth will win one day.”
ASEAN calls for Burma prisoner release
A meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations yesterday urged the release of prisoners in Burma as a prerequisite to “free, fair and inclusive” elections next year.
Foreign ministers spoke yesterday on the second day of the two-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, prior to the start of the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AAM) beginning today in Thailand.
A joint communiqué released by Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya acknowledged the visit to Burma earlier this month by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.
The statement reiterated ASEAN’s calls “to immediately release all those under detention, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi” in order to create “genuine reconciliation and meaningful dialogue involving all parties concerned”.
The Burmese foreign minister told the UN Security Council earlier this month that the government was setting in motion plans to release some political prisoners so that they can “participate” in the 2010 elections.
Critics have said however that the move is aimed at easing mounting international pressure on the regime, and perhaps to avoid the threat of Security Council action.
The controversial elections in Burma next year must be “free, fair and inclusive… thereby laying down a good foundation for future social and economic development,” the statement continued.
It also addressed the issue of ASEAN’s much-criticised policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Burma, preferring instead to “constructively engage” with the junta.
Thai prime minster Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday reiterated his anti-sanctions stance on Burma, following comments made to Ban Ki-moon earlier this month that Western sanctions were “not useful”.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Thailand today to meet with Mr Vejjajiva.
Tomorrow she will take part in the ASEAN Regional Forum, which will also be attended by China, which has on a number of occasions defended Burma against US-led Security Council pressure.
Foreign ministers spoke yesterday on the second day of the two-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, prior to the start of the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AAM) beginning today in Thailand.
A joint communiqué released by Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya acknowledged the visit to Burma earlier this month by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.
The statement reiterated ASEAN’s calls “to immediately release all those under detention, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi” in order to create “genuine reconciliation and meaningful dialogue involving all parties concerned”.
The Burmese foreign minister told the UN Security Council earlier this month that the government was setting in motion plans to release some political prisoners so that they can “participate” in the 2010 elections.
Critics have said however that the move is aimed at easing mounting international pressure on the regime, and perhaps to avoid the threat of Security Council action.
The controversial elections in Burma next year must be “free, fair and inclusive… thereby laying down a good foundation for future social and economic development,” the statement continued.
It also addressed the issue of ASEAN’s much-criticised policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Burma, preferring instead to “constructively engage” with the junta.
Thai prime minster Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday reiterated his anti-sanctions stance on Burma, following comments made to Ban Ki-moon earlier this month that Western sanctions were “not useful”.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Thailand today to meet with Mr Vejjajiva.
Tomorrow she will take part in the ASEAN Regional Forum, which will also be attended by China, which has on a number of occasions defended Burma against US-led Security Council pressure.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Bangladeshi police attack Rohingya camp
Hundreds of makeshift homes belonging to Rohingya refugees in a camp near to the
Bangladesh-Burma border were destroyed by “aggressive and abusive” Bangladeshi police, according to a medical aid group.
The incident was witnessed by staff working for Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), which provides medical aid to the estimated 300,000 Rohingya of Burmese descent who have sought refuge on the Bangladesh side of the border.
According to MSF, around 30 Bangladeshi police and officials arrived at the Kutupalong camp near to Cox’s Bazaar on 14 July and destroyed 259 homes.
“Other residents of the makeshift camp were told that they have 48 hours to clear their homes or they will be burnt down,” the statement said.
The Kutupalong camp is adjacent to a camp run by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Officials taking part in the incident reportedly claimed it was being done to create a buffer zone between the two camps.
“The systematic use of intimidation, violence and forcible displacement against residents of the makeshift camp is absolutely unacceptable,” said MSF’s head of mission in Bangladesh, Paul Critchley.
“This vulnerable population has fled persecution and discrimination in Myanmar [Burma], only to be left unrecognized and unassisted in Bangladesh.”
In June, Thailand and Bangladesh pledged to help aid the repatriation of Rohingya back to Burma, where they have long suffered persecution at the hands of a government who don’t officially recognize them.
Their plight hit the headlines in January this year when around 1000 Rohingya refugees landed ashore in Thailand, only to towed back out to sea by Thai authorities. Around 550 were thought to have died.
The Burmese government has been reluctant to grant repatriation to Rohingya who had fled the country’s western Arakan state, claiming they would have to prove they came from Burma in the first place.
This would be almost impossible, however, given that Rohingya in Burma are denied legal status.
Bangladesh-Burma border were destroyed by “aggressive and abusive” Bangladeshi police, according to a medical aid group.
The incident was witnessed by staff working for Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), which provides medical aid to the estimated 300,000 Rohingya of Burmese descent who have sought refuge on the Bangladesh side of the border.
According to MSF, around 30 Bangladeshi police and officials arrived at the Kutupalong camp near to Cox’s Bazaar on 14 July and destroyed 259 homes.
“Other residents of the makeshift camp were told that they have 48 hours to clear their homes or they will be burnt down,” the statement said.
The Kutupalong camp is adjacent to a camp run by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Officials taking part in the incident reportedly claimed it was being done to create a buffer zone between the two camps.
“The systematic use of intimidation, violence and forcible displacement against residents of the makeshift camp is absolutely unacceptable,” said MSF’s head of mission in Bangladesh, Paul Critchley.
“This vulnerable population has fled persecution and discrimination in Myanmar [Burma], only to be left unrecognized and unassisted in Bangladesh.”
In June, Thailand and Bangladesh pledged to help aid the repatriation of Rohingya back to Burma, where they have long suffered persecution at the hands of a government who don’t officially recognize them.
Their plight hit the headlines in January this year when around 1000 Rohingya refugees landed ashore in Thailand, only to towed back out to sea by Thai authorities. Around 550 were thought to have died.
The Burmese government has been reluctant to grant repatriation to Rohingya who had fled the country’s western Arakan state, claiming they would have to prove they came from Burma in the first place.
This would be almost impossible, however, given that Rohingya in Burma are denied legal status.
Soaring investment in Burma 'could hurt' population
Foreign investment in Burma has soared in the past year, with China’s ramped up economic interest in the country accounting for the majority of the rise, said a Burmese government report yesterday.
According to the report, released by the Ministry of Planning and Development, investment leaped from $US172.7 million in the 2007/08 fiscal year to $US984.9m.
The ministry announced that 87 percent of the total investment had come from China, with the majority of its investment focused on the extractive sector.
Reports show that small Chinese companies are focusing on Burma’s hydropower, mining and oil industries.
Economic analysts are concerned however that the extra investment will have no valued impact on the economy as Chinese companies attempt to yield quick results.
Burma expert and economist Sean Turnell, from Macquarie University in Australia, said that the Burmese economy is too risky for investment in infrastructure sectors, with the level of poverty in Burma so extensive that there is no attraction to consumer sectors.
“Burma attracts wild cat companies who come in and out to make dirty money,” said Turnell.
“Burma is at the grip of a resource curse; the extra investment will help the generals stay in power but will not benefit the local people.”
Environmental groups are also concerned that the increased investment will further worsen human rights violations occurring as a result of the resource extraction project.
It is believed that a large chunk of the investment will be going to build the Shwe Gas fields over the coming years.
Spokespeson for anti-pipeline campaign group Shwe Gas Movement, Win Aung, believes that the extra investment from China is only adding to the difficult situation that many people in Arakan state, where the pipeline will begin, already face.
A significant proportion of the Arakan population rely on fishing, and in times of gas or oil exploration, the government often cuts off fishing areas.
“Fishermen are restrained from fishing so they are unable to feed their families,” said Win Aung.
“Military battalions are sent into protect the construction and they create many problems as they confiscate land.
“The government should be directing foreign investment into education and health so the people of Burma will benefit in the future”.
According to the report, released by the Ministry of Planning and Development, investment leaped from $US172.7 million in the 2007/08 fiscal year to $US984.9m.
The ministry announced that 87 percent of the total investment had come from China, with the majority of its investment focused on the extractive sector.
Reports show that small Chinese companies are focusing on Burma’s hydropower, mining and oil industries.
Economic analysts are concerned however that the extra investment will have no valued impact on the economy as Chinese companies attempt to yield quick results.
Burma expert and economist Sean Turnell, from Macquarie University in Australia, said that the Burmese economy is too risky for investment in infrastructure sectors, with the level of poverty in Burma so extensive that there is no attraction to consumer sectors.
“Burma attracts wild cat companies who come in and out to make dirty money,” said Turnell.
“Burma is at the grip of a resource curse; the extra investment will help the generals stay in power but will not benefit the local people.”
Environmental groups are also concerned that the increased investment will further worsen human rights violations occurring as a result of the resource extraction project.
It is believed that a large chunk of the investment will be going to build the Shwe Gas fields over the coming years.
Spokespeson for anti-pipeline campaign group Shwe Gas Movement, Win Aung, believes that the extra investment from China is only adding to the difficult situation that many people in Arakan state, where the pipeline will begin, already face.
A significant proportion of the Arakan population rely on fishing, and in times of gas or oil exploration, the government often cuts off fishing areas.
“Fishermen are restrained from fishing so they are unable to feed their families,” said Win Aung.
“Military battalions are sent into protect the construction and they create many problems as they confiscate land.
“The government should be directing foreign investment into education and health so the people of Burma will benefit in the future”.
Monday, 8 June 2009
BurmaJunta clampdown on exiled radio listeners
The Burmese junta has clamped down on the rising numbers of unlicensed radio owners in a move that media experts see as restriction on the freedom of media and access to pro-democracy broadcasts.
The ruling junta yesterday issued a warning in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper that those listening to radio without holding a license could be prosecuted under the Wireless Act.
The warning carried no information on why people would be prosecuted nor why numbers of listeners are increasing, but a Burmese journalist on the China-Burma border said the increase was linked to the political crisis.
“People tend to buy radios when there is a stir in politics,” he said.
“[The 2007 protests] was like it is now. As soon as it was like that, people bought radios. During 2003 Depayin (massacre), people bought [radios]."
He added that sales of shortwave radios manufactured by China, which are used by exiled Burmese media groups to broadcast, were also on the rise.
Coverage of the trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi by domestic Burmese media is heavily controlled.
Heavily censored private newspapers and journals are restricted from publishing any information that isn't covered in the state-run publications.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders last month criticised the trial reporting as one-sided.
“Even with limited access, the Burmese public is not being properly informed as the military’s prior censorship prevents any independent coverage.”
The chairman of the exiled Burma Media Association (BMA) said the move is an attempt to restrict the freedom of media and a means to arrest listeners of exiled media.
"The military government's…legal actions on radio listeners who do not pay license fees… is an effort to hamper the people of Burma who have been depending more and more on foreign radios lately,” said Maung Maung Myint.
“Let's say, if they want to take action on listeners of foreign radios, they want to create a scenario in which they could arrest them not for listening to the radio but for not licensing their radios
The ruling junta yesterday issued a warning in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper that those listening to radio without holding a license could be prosecuted under the Wireless Act.
The warning carried no information on why people would be prosecuted nor why numbers of listeners are increasing, but a Burmese journalist on the China-Burma border said the increase was linked to the political crisis.
“People tend to buy radios when there is a stir in politics,” he said.
“[The 2007 protests] was like it is now. As soon as it was like that, people bought radios. During 2003 Depayin (massacre), people bought [radios]."
He added that sales of shortwave radios manufactured by China, which are used by exiled Burmese media groups to broadcast, were also on the rise.
Coverage of the trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi by domestic Burmese media is heavily controlled.
Heavily censored private newspapers and journals are restricted from publishing any information that isn't covered in the state-run publications.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders last month criticised the trial reporting as one-sided.
“Even with limited access, the Burmese public is not being properly informed as the military’s prior censorship prevents any independent coverage.”
The chairman of the exiled Burma Media Association (BMA) said the move is an attempt to restrict the freedom of media and a means to arrest listeners of exiled media.
"The military government's…legal actions on radio listeners who do not pay license fees… is an effort to hamper the people of Burma who have been depending more and more on foreign radios lately,” said Maung Maung Myint.
“Let's say, if they want to take action on listeners of foreign radios, they want to create a scenario in which they could arrest them not for listening to the radio but for not licensing their radios
ILO condemns Burmese law allowing forced labour
June 8, 2009 (DVB)–A United Nations group has called for a revision of a clause in the Burmese constitution that apparently justifies the use of forced labour, and has said that cases of forced labour in Burma continue unabated.
In the past two years the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has received 152 complaints of forced labour in Burma.
At a meeting in Geneva over the weekend, the ILO voiced concern over a clause in the new Burmese constitution, ratified last May, that prohibits forced labour “except hard labor as a punishment for crime duly convicted and duties assigned by the Union in accord with the law in the interest of the public”.
Burma’s representative at the Geneva meeting said that the government "cannot accept criticism on our constitution process,” when ILO asked to bring the article into conformity with labour rules.
According to the chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions (Burma), Maung Maung, those present at the meeting voiced their frustration at the slow pace of Burma’s political transformation and continued instances of forced labour.
A report released by the ILO last week warned that the number of complaints doesn’t reflect the extent of forced labour practices in Burma.
Victims can face difficulties in filing complaints: the ILO is situated in Rangoon with only limited resources, and forced labour victims don’t always have reliable communication systems or travelling possibilities.
Filing a complaint itself can also be dangerous: in 15 out of the 152 complaints received, the ILO has received information alleging harassment or reprisals by government authorities.
“The major difficulty we are facing is that there is no convenience in reporting the abuses,” said Maung Maung.
“We suggest the ILO open more offices in Mandalay and also in Arakan and Karen states.”
Of the 152 complaints of forced labour received by the ILO, a third involved the recruitment of child soldiers.
The government response has generally been that the child ‘volunteered’ for army, whilst the ILO stand is that accepting volunteers under the age of 18 is against the law.
June 8, 2009 (DVB)–A United Nations group has called for a revision of a clause in the Burmese constitution that apparently justifies the use of forced labour, and has said that cases of forced labour in Burma continue unabated.
In the past two years the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has received 152 complaints of forced labour in Burma.
At a meeting in Geneva over the weekend, the ILO voiced concern over a clause in the new Burmese constitution, ratified last May, that prohibits forced labour “except hard labor as a punishment for crime duly convicted and duties assigned by the Union in accord with the law in the interest of the public”.
Burma’s representative at the Geneva meeting said that the government "cannot accept criticism on our constitution process,” when ILO asked to bring the article into conformity with labour rules.
According to the chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions (Burma), Maung Maung, those present at the meeting voiced their frustration at the slow pace of Burma’s political transformation and continued instances of forced labour.
A report released by the ILO last week warned that the number of complaints doesn’t reflect the extent of forced labour practices in Burma.
Victims can face difficulties in filing complaints: the ILO is situated in Rangoon with only limited resources, and forced labour victims don’t always have reliable communication systems or travelling possibilities.
Filing a complaint itself can also be dangerous: in 15 out of the 152 complaints received, the ILO has received information alleging harassment or reprisals by government authorities.
“The major difficulty we are facing is that there is no convenience in reporting the abuses,” said Maung Maung.
“We suggest the ILO open more offices in Mandalay and also in Arakan and Karen states.”
Of the 152 complaints of forced labour received by the ILO, a third involved the recruitment of child soldiers.
The government response has generally been that the child ‘volunteered’ for army, whilst the ILO stand is that accepting volunteers under the age of 18 is against the law.
Democratic Voice of Burma
Democratic Voice of Burma: "Following a series of offensives over the weekend by government troops against the Karen National Union, over 3000 Karen villagers, many of whom are women and children, have now fled into Thailand.
Government troops backed by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) have been launching joint offensives against the KNU’s armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), since early last week.
Fresh clashes have been breaking out near villages in Hlaingbwe and Paingkyone townships, in Karen state’s Pa-an district.
On Friday, the Karen Human Rights Group reported that DKBA soldiers had been forcefully recruiting villagers to walk in front of troop patrols, acting as minesweepers.
“I met over 1,000 [refugees] at a monastery inside Thailand,” said Nang Phaw Kay of the Karen Information Committee (KIC).
“Most of them are mothers, children, and pregnant women. Only a few of them are men.”
Thai villages are taking care of the health of the refugees and food is being provided by the Thai Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), said Nang Phaw Kay, who added that there is shortage of shelter and lodging for the refugees.
Government troops and the DKBA have been sporadically firing heavy weapons at Ler Per Har refugee camp, with around 30 rounds fired yesterday.
The Free Burma Rangers medical organization, who have brought food and medical supplies to the refugees in Thailand, report that around 3,295 have fled the camp alone."
Government troops backed by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) have been launching joint offensives against the KNU’s armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), since early last week.
Fresh clashes have been breaking out near villages in Hlaingbwe and Paingkyone townships, in Karen state’s Pa-an district.
On Friday, the Karen Human Rights Group reported that DKBA soldiers had been forcefully recruiting villagers to walk in front of troop patrols, acting as minesweepers.
“I met over 1,000 [refugees] at a monastery inside Thailand,” said Nang Phaw Kay of the Karen Information Committee (KIC).
“Most of them are mothers, children, and pregnant women. Only a few of them are men.”
Thai villages are taking care of the health of the refugees and food is being provided by the Thai Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), said Nang Phaw Kay, who added that there is shortage of shelter and lodging for the refugees.
Government troops and the DKBA have been sporadically firing heavy weapons at Ler Per Har refugee camp, with around 30 rounds fired yesterday.
The Free Burma Rangers medical organization, who have brought food and medical supplies to the refugees in Thailand, report that around 3,295 have fled the camp alone."
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