By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Amnesty International yesterday urged Burma to free all political prisoners ahead of elections in November, as it marked three years since a deadly crackdown on protests led by Buddhist monks.
The London-based rights group said more than 2,200 dissidents including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi were still being detained by the military regime – more than double the number held before the 2007 demonstrations.
“It beggars belief that the government can attempt to burnish its democratic credentials by holding elections, while it also holds more than 2,200 political prisoners behind bars and out of sight of the campaigns and polls,” said Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty’s Burma researcher.
Sep 25, 2010
The Political Landscape of the Old Capital
By HTET AUNG
The real competition centers on the USDP and the NUP to contest the upcoming election for the parliament of Rangoon Division. Will Rangoon residents support either state-backed party, given their history with the regime?
Residents of Rangoon, Burma's former capital, will choose their own representatives for local parliament and also vote for the national parliaments, the People's Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw) and Nationalities Parliament (Amyotha Hluttaw).
Rangoon is the home of the country's democratic movement, which in 1988 ended socialism by toppling the then socialist government that had ruled the country for 26 years. The city has also been home to countless student demonstrations for freedom and the scene of thousands of innocent deaths perpetrated by the military regime.
The real competition centers on the USDP and the NUP to contest the upcoming election for the parliament of Rangoon Division. Will Rangoon residents support either state-backed party, given their history with the regime?
Residents of Rangoon, Burma's former capital, will choose their own representatives for local parliament and also vote for the national parliaments, the People's Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw) and Nationalities Parliament (Amyotha Hluttaw).
Rangoon is the home of the country's democratic movement, which in 1988 ended socialism by toppling the then socialist government that had ruled the country for 26 years. The city has also been home to countless student demonstrations for freedom and the scene of thousands of innocent deaths perpetrated by the military regime.
By LALIT K JHA
WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama on Friday urged the Burmese leadership to embark on a process of national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Obama renewed his call during a meeting with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was attended by Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win, but there was no direct contact between him and the US president.
US President Barack Obama walks on the podium before a group photo with Asean leaders on Friday. Standing at the center behind Obama is Burmese FM Nyan Win. (Photo: Getty Images)
“The president believes in the importance of democratic reform and protection of human rights and renews his call on Burma to embark on a process of national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and by holding free and fair elections in November,” the White House said in a statement after the meeting.
WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama on Friday urged the Burmese leadership to embark on a process of national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Obama renewed his call during a meeting with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was attended by Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win, but there was no direct contact between him and the US president.
US President Barack Obama walks on the podium before a group photo with Asean leaders on Friday. Standing at the center behind Obama is Burmese FM Nyan Win. (Photo: Getty Images)
“The president believes in the importance of democratic reform and protection of human rights and renews his call on Burma to embark on a process of national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and by holding free and fair elections in November,” the White House said in a statement after the meeting.
Obama to Raise Burma Issues with Asean Leaders
By LALIT K JHA
WASHINGTON—US President Barack Obama will raise the issue of Burma during his meeting on Friday with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and impress upon them the need for Burma to have a free and fair election, the White House said Thursday.
“I'm sure the President will address the issue of Burma,” Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeff Badar told reporters at a news conference in New York. “I expect that that issue will probably be raised by others as well.”
“Our expectation—I mean 'expectation' in the sense that this is what we want, not what we foresee—is free and fair elections in Burma; the need for there to be true national reconciliation; the release of political prisoners and Aung San Suu Kyi,” Badar said.
WASHINGTON—US President Barack Obama will raise the issue of Burma during his meeting on Friday with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and impress upon them the need for Burma to have a free and fair election, the White House said Thursday.
“I'm sure the President will address the issue of Burma,” Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeff Badar told reporters at a news conference in New York. “I expect that that issue will probably be raised by others as well.”
“Our expectation—I mean 'expectation' in the sense that this is what we want, not what we foresee—is free and fair elections in Burma; the need for there to be true national reconciliation; the release of political prisoners and Aung San Suu Kyi,” Badar said.
Sep 23, 2010
KIO Wants Hong Kong Status
KIO Wants Hong Kong Status
Some of Burma's armed ethnic groups are seeking the support of the Chinese government in a bid to gain self-autonomy in their regions, a leading think tank disclosed on Tuesday.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) said that the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has had “basic discussions” with Beijing over the contours of a “genuine union” within Burma in which the ethnic groups would have autonomy, possibly similar to the Special Administrative Regions in China—Hong Kong and Macao.
“The Kachin are working on a common peace proposal for which they plan to seek Beijing’s backing,” according to the ICG's 20-page report released on Tuesday titled “China's Myanmar Strategy: Elections, Ethnic Politics and Economics.”
Some of Burma's armed ethnic groups are seeking the support of the Chinese government in a bid to gain self-autonomy in their regions, a leading think tank disclosed on Tuesday.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) said that the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has had “basic discussions” with Beijing over the contours of a “genuine union” within Burma in which the ethnic groups would have autonomy, possibly similar to the Special Administrative Regions in China—Hong Kong and Macao.
“The Kachin are working on a common peace proposal for which they plan to seek Beijing’s backing,” according to the ICG's 20-page report released on Tuesday titled “China's Myanmar Strategy: Elections, Ethnic Politics and Economics.”
UN millennium development goals in jeopardy
By JOSEPH ALLCHIN
Some 140 heads of state are in New York to mark five years until the target date of the UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), but observers say that governments around the world are failing billions of people.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon appealed to the summit to “send a strong message of hope. Let us keep the promise”, hinting at concerns that the eight goals will not be met. US President Barack Obama furthermore called for a “new” approach to delivering aid, suggesting a results-based approach instead of simply throwing money at development issues – a possible indicator of Washington’s own economic woes.
Amnesty International pointed to the Burmese junta as not only failing on a number of MDG targets but also breaking treaty obligations that they had signed.
Some 140 heads of state are in New York to mark five years until the target date of the UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), but observers say that governments around the world are failing billions of people.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon appealed to the summit to “send a strong message of hope. Let us keep the promise”, hinting at concerns that the eight goals will not be met. US President Barack Obama furthermore called for a “new” approach to delivering aid, suggesting a results-based approach instead of simply throwing money at development issues – a possible indicator of Washington’s own economic woes.
Amnesty International pointed to the Burmese junta as not only failing on a number of MDG targets but also breaking treaty obligations that they had signed.
Troops bolstered in Kachin as border regions flare
By AKT
Burmese troops are being sent en masse to the country’s northern Kachin state as tensions rise with an ethnic Kachin army, one of a number in Burma to have rejected approaches by the junta.
Locals in Kachin state’s Moe Hnyin and Hpakant towns, close to Kachin Independence Army (KIA) outposts, said that residents were being forced to build accommodation for extra troops.
“Originally, there was only a squadron – just around four or five soldiers – deployed in [an outpost in] Nyaungbin village in Moe Hnyin township,” said one man. “But now they are deploying a company there so accommodation is needed for about 40 or 50 soldiers.”
The KIA on 1 September announced it would not transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF), a proposal put to all of Burma’s ceasefire groups by junta, which attempting to assimilate ethnic armies into its own. The 1 September was deadline day, but many have refused.
Burmese troops are being sent en masse to the country’s northern Kachin state as tensions rise with an ethnic Kachin army, one of a number in Burma to have rejected approaches by the junta.
Locals in Kachin state’s Moe Hnyin and Hpakant towns, close to Kachin Independence Army (KIA) outposts, said that residents were being forced to build accommodation for extra troops.
“Originally, there was only a squadron – just around four or five soldiers – deployed in [an outpost in] Nyaungbin village in Moe Hnyin township,” said one man. “But now they are deploying a company there so accommodation is needed for about 40 or 50 soldiers.”
The KIA on 1 September announced it would not transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF), a proposal put to all of Burma’s ceasefire groups by junta, which attempting to assimilate ethnic armies into its own. The 1 September was deadline day, but many have refused.
Sep 20, 2010
UN inaction on Burma war crimes ‘unjustifiable’
By SIR GEOFFREY NICE QC and JULIANNE KERR STEVENSON
It is time for the UN to investigate the consistent reports of mass human rights violations in Burma to enable the identification of those responsible. The failure to take this step is unjustifiable. For decades NGOs and UN actors have documented reports of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, torture, mass internal displacement, sexual violence, the use of child soldiers and forced labour, and the list goes on. The scale and gravity of the violations reported strongly suggests that they amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Yet, although it is undeniable that mass violations have been, and continue to be, perpetrated primarily by the Burmese military junta but also by armed ethnic groups, those who commit these alleged international crimes do so with absolute impunity. This impunity will not end without a UN initiated investigation specifically aimed at obtaining evidence in order both to clarify the true extent of the atrocities, but also to obtain evidence linking an individual to a specific crime in order to establish accountability. Once such evidence has been obtained, it will be a question of whether the UN and the international community will have the necessary political will to bring the perpetrators to justice.
It is time for the UN to investigate the consistent reports of mass human rights violations in Burma to enable the identification of those responsible. The failure to take this step is unjustifiable. For decades NGOs and UN actors have documented reports of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, torture, mass internal displacement, sexual violence, the use of child soldiers and forced labour, and the list goes on. The scale and gravity of the violations reported strongly suggests that they amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Yet, although it is undeniable that mass violations have been, and continue to be, perpetrated primarily by the Burmese military junta but also by armed ethnic groups, those who commit these alleged international crimes do so with absolute impunity. This impunity will not end without a UN initiated investigation specifically aimed at obtaining evidence in order both to clarify the true extent of the atrocities, but also to obtain evidence linking an individual to a specific crime in order to establish accountability. Once such evidence has been obtained, it will be a question of whether the UN and the international community will have the necessary political will to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Sep 17, 2010
'Concern' Doesn't Cut It
By Irrawaddy
With less than two months to go before Burma is subjected to an election that will be the very antithesis of “free and fair,” it is comforting to know that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has once again found the time to chime in on the country's current political situation.
“The Secretary-General notes with some concern the decision by the Union Election Commission to dissolve 10 political parties prior to the general election, including the National League for Democracy and four others for failing to renew their registration,” a spokesperson for the UN chief told reporters on Wednesday.
The party that has represented Burma's democratic aspirations for the past two decades is summarily erased by a regime that has murdered, raped and intimidated its way to absolute rule over 50 million people, and Ban expresses “some concern.”
With less than two months to go before Burma is subjected to an election that will be the very antithesis of “free and fair,” it is comforting to know that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has once again found the time to chime in on the country's current political situation.
“The Secretary-General notes with some concern the decision by the Union Election Commission to dissolve 10 political parties prior to the general election, including the National League for Democracy and four others for failing to renew their registration,” a spokesperson for the UN chief told reporters on Wednesday.
The party that has represented Burma's democratic aspirations for the past two decades is summarily erased by a regime that has murdered, raped and intimidated its way to absolute rule over 50 million people, and Ban expresses “some concern.”
Myen a Amyu Shamyit Democracy: Anhte gaw Asak Jahkrung Ai Democracy De
By Maling Kataw
Dai ni gaw J.W. sha ni a Shawng na ban prat a (tinang a kashu kasha) matu atsawm sha sung sung myit yu nhtawm, daw dan let asak hkrung na aten rai sai. Myen hkringmang daju, snr hpyen asuya a shingnan pati USDP a ningbaw, Ting Tsing (Thein Sein) a “KIO” hpe “ASEAN mungdan e kasi hku shamyit kau na” ngu ai gaw, anhte J.W. sha ni yawng hpe yup su sun nga ai kaw na shabran, sharawt dat ai “bau n-sen” rai nga ai. N chye madat la yang gaw anhte hpe “si du” hpang de woi sa ai n-sen rai nga ai.
Ting Tsing (Thein Sein) tsun ai gaw dai NDA-K hte Dukaba Lasang Awng Wa ni a hpung hpe sha tsun ai n re. J.W. ni yawng hpe hkyen da ai, gran da sai masing hte maren shamyit kau na matu tsun ai rai nga ai. KIO a statement hpe saw lasawn di kau ai hta n ga, dai ndau laika na Federal Union masa hpe mung hpa zawn n nawn ai sha, Myen mung e “Amyu Shamyit Masing” galaw nga ai lam hpe shawa man shabrawng dat ai lam re.
KIO/A laknak n jahkrat ai hku sha mu nga ai gaw hpyen asuya a shut kaba nan re. Byin ra ai gaw hparai KIO/A ni laknak n jahkrat ai sha shakut shaja nga ai lam hpe myit yu ra ai re. KIO a August 30 ndau laika gaw KIO a matu sha kun? Jinghpaw a matu sha kun? snr Myen mung a matu kun? Snr jet ai Munghpawm Myen mungdan a matu kun? ngu ai hpe madaw hpa-awn daw rai nga sai hte maren, myit shachyaw, htai la ra ai re.
Dai ni gaw J.W. sha ni a Shawng na ban prat a (tinang a kashu kasha) matu atsawm sha sung sung myit yu nhtawm, daw dan let asak hkrung na aten rai sai. Myen hkringmang daju, snr hpyen asuya a shingnan pati USDP a ningbaw, Ting Tsing (Thein Sein) a “KIO” hpe “ASEAN mungdan e kasi hku shamyit kau na” ngu ai gaw, anhte J.W. sha ni yawng hpe yup su sun nga ai kaw na shabran, sharawt dat ai “bau n-sen” rai nga ai. N chye madat la yang gaw anhte hpe “si du” hpang de woi sa ai n-sen rai nga ai.
Ting Tsing (Thein Sein) tsun ai gaw dai NDA-K hte Dukaba Lasang Awng Wa ni a hpung hpe sha tsun ai n re. J.W. ni yawng hpe hkyen da ai, gran da sai masing hte maren shamyit kau na matu tsun ai rai nga ai. KIO a statement hpe saw lasawn di kau ai hta n ga, dai ndau laika na Federal Union masa hpe mung hpa zawn n nawn ai sha, Myen mung e “Amyu Shamyit Masing” galaw nga ai lam hpe shawa man shabrawng dat ai lam re.
KIO/A laknak n jahkrat ai hku sha mu nga ai gaw hpyen asuya a shut kaba nan re. Byin ra ai gaw hparai KIO/A ni laknak n jahkrat ai sha shakut shaja nga ai lam hpe myit yu ra ai re. KIO a August 30 ndau laika gaw KIO a matu sha kun? Jinghpaw a matu sha kun? snr Myen mung a matu kun? Snr jet ai Munghpawm Myen mungdan a matu kun? ngu ai hpe madaw hpa-awn daw rai nga sai hte maren, myit shachyaw, htai la ra ai re.
KIO hpe “kasi hku shamyit kau sana”, Myen HMD Ting Tsing tsun
By KNG
Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Hpung (KIO) hpe “kasi hku shamyit kau sana re lam” Myen hpyen asuya Hkringmang Daju Dukaba Ting Tsing gaw, lai wa sai bat mi jan, ndai September praw de tsun mat wa sai re.
Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Hpung (KIO) hpe “kasi hku shamyit kau sana re lam” Myen hpyen asuya Hkringmang Daju Dukaba Ting Tsing gaw, lai wa sai bat mi jan, ndai September praw de tsun mat wa sai re.
Questioning the EC Definition of 'Free and Fair'
By HTET AUNG
Burma's Election Commission has announced “areas where elections will not be held,” saying the constituencies are “in no position to host free and fair elections.”
Where are the areas, why can't elections can't be held there and how does the EC define the term “free and fair”?
According to a series of EC notifications issued on Sept.16, the areas are home to ethnic nationals in Kachin, Karen, Karenni (Kayah), Mon and Shan states.
In total, there are 300 village tracts and four townships that will not be allowed to vote in the election. A village tract is a group of from two to 10 villages.
Karen State will not be allowed to hold an election in 155 village tracts in seven townships.
The state is composed of seven townships, so the ban ranges throughout the entire state.
The most unstable areas are said to be in Papun, Thandaunggyi and Kya-in-Seikkyi. According to a list of constituencies for the Karen State parliament issued by the EC on Aug. 11, Papun is composed of eight urban wards and 33 village tracts, but the EC will not allow an election in 27 village tracts or 65.8 percent of the township.
Burma's Election Commission has announced “areas where elections will not be held,” saying the constituencies are “in no position to host free and fair elections.”
Where are the areas, why can't elections can't be held there and how does the EC define the term “free and fair”?
According to a series of EC notifications issued on Sept.16, the areas are home to ethnic nationals in Kachin, Karen, Karenni (Kayah), Mon and Shan states.
In total, there are 300 village tracts and four townships that will not be allowed to vote in the election. A village tract is a group of from two to 10 villages.
Karen State will not be allowed to hold an election in 155 village tracts in seven townships.
The state is composed of seven townships, so the ban ranges throughout the entire state.
The most unstable areas are said to be in Papun, Thandaunggyi and Kya-in-Seikkyi. According to a list of constituencies for the Karen State parliament issued by the EC on Aug. 11, Papun is composed of eight urban wards and 33 village tracts, but the EC will not allow an election in 27 village tracts or 65.8 percent of the township.
EC Afraid of Losing Poll in Ethnic Areas
By SAW YAN NAING and LAWI WENG
The Election Commisssion's (EC) cancellation of polling in some 300 villages in ethnic areas announced on Thursday is due to poor security and lack of support from ethnic people, ethnic observers suggest.
The EC made the announcement on state television on Thursday, saying,"Polling will not take place in several constituenecs where free and fair elections cannot be held." The EC did not elaborate.
The EC announcement said the Nov. 7 election had been canceled in several townships in Kachin, Karenni, Karen, Mon and Shan states, including four townships in the Wa self-administered division.
Aye Thar Aung, a prominent Arakanese politician in Rangoon said the polling was cancelled in ethnic areas because the Burmese regime seems worried about losing seats and threats from ethnic rebels against the poll.
The Election Commisssion's (EC) cancellation of polling in some 300 villages in ethnic areas announced on Thursday is due to poor security and lack of support from ethnic people, ethnic observers suggest.
The EC made the announcement on state television on Thursday, saying,"Polling will not take place in several constituenecs where free and fair elections cannot be held." The EC did not elaborate.
The EC announcement said the Nov. 7 election had been canceled in several townships in Kachin, Karenni, Karen, Mon and Shan states, including four townships in the Wa self-administered division.
Aye Thar Aung, a prominent Arakanese politician in Rangoon said the polling was cancelled in ethnic areas because the Burmese regime seems worried about losing seats and threats from ethnic rebels against the poll.
Rebel students turn the tide
By GAYATRI LAKSHMIBAI
It’s a cloudy, grey Friday afternoon in the Mae La Oo refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Hla Htay, the headmaster of the Yaung Ni Oo school, sits in his bamboo hut with a keen eye on proceedings at the school just across the narrow mud lane. He takes a puff out of his cigarette. “These are Burmese cigarettes, they are good. Would you like to try one?” he asks with a palpable sense of pride.
It’s uncharacteristic of Hla Htay to be home on a weekday. He explains why he isn’t teaching his tenth standard students lessons in English grammar and History today – he’s been unwell with fever and hypertension over the last couple of days.
A former All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) soldier, Hla Htay has been head of the ABSDF-run school since 1998. He joined the student armed rebellion group during its inception around the 1988 uprising in Rangoon.
Having been in the conflict zone fighting the Burmese military for five years since 1992, Hla Htay is now content with having put his guns to rest. “I do miss being on the frontline sometimes, but I know teaching young children is going to have a bigger impact,” he says.
It’s a cloudy, grey Friday afternoon in the Mae La Oo refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Hla Htay, the headmaster of the Yaung Ni Oo school, sits in his bamboo hut with a keen eye on proceedings at the school just across the narrow mud lane. He takes a puff out of his cigarette. “These are Burmese cigarettes, they are good. Would you like to try one?” he asks with a palpable sense of pride.
It’s uncharacteristic of Hla Htay to be home on a weekday. He explains why he isn’t teaching his tenth standard students lessons in English grammar and History today – he’s been unwell with fever and hypertension over the last couple of days.
A former All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) soldier, Hla Htay has been head of the ABSDF-run school since 1998. He joined the student armed rebellion group during its inception around the 1988 uprising in Rangoon.
Having been in the conflict zone fighting the Burmese military for five years since 1992, Hla Htay is now content with having put his guns to rest. “I do miss being on the frontline sometimes, but I know teaching young children is going to have a bigger impact,” he says.
It’s a warped mirror into which Than Shwe stares
By JOSEPH ALLCHIN
As part of the Senior General’s visit to ‘big brother’ China, he paid an impromptu visit to Shenzen, the Chinese city which in 1980 became a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and thus one of the country’s first forays back into commercialism.
Than Shwe spoke of his desire to emulate China’s remarkable and highly successful transformation into one of the most successful capitalist stories ever, where over a 30-year period the average income of every citizen has doubled every nine years. But what is behind China’s successful growth, and what can Burma learn from this?
Sadly for the generals, it may be more salient to look back to pre-1978 China than to the present epoch, for 1978 is broadly viewed as the year in which open market principles were introduced through the ascendancy of Deng Xiaoping, and the growth paradigm was unleashed upon the ‘middle kingdom’. Pre-1978 China would be viewed by many as similar to Burma pre-1988, but the differences are stark and, it must be noted, extremely significant.
As part of the Senior General’s visit to ‘big brother’ China, he paid an impromptu visit to Shenzen, the Chinese city which in 1980 became a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and thus one of the country’s first forays back into commercialism.
Than Shwe spoke of his desire to emulate China’s remarkable and highly successful transformation into one of the most successful capitalist stories ever, where over a 30-year period the average income of every citizen has doubled every nine years. But what is behind China’s successful growth, and what can Burma learn from this?
Sadly for the generals, it may be more salient to look back to pre-1978 China than to the present epoch, for 1978 is broadly viewed as the year in which open market principles were introduced through the ascendancy of Deng Xiaoping, and the growth paradigm was unleashed upon the ‘middle kingdom’. Pre-1978 China would be viewed by many as similar to Burma pre-1988, but the differences are stark and, it must be noted, extremely significant.
US ‘thoroughly disappointed’: Kurt Campbell
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS
The US official leading dialogue with Burma said Thursday he was thoroughly disappointed with the results but that engagement was the best option as the country prepares for controversial elections.
“I think it would be fair to say in almost every arena, we have been disappointed,” said Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs.
“Everything we’ve seen to date suggests that the November elections will be without international legitimacy,” Campbell told a forum at the US Institute of Peace.
The US official leading dialogue with Burma said Thursday he was thoroughly disappointed with the results but that engagement was the best option as the country prepares for controversial elections.
“I think it would be fair to say in almost every arena, we have been disappointed,” said Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs.
“Everything we’ve seen to date suggests that the November elections will be without international legitimacy,” Campbell told a forum at the US Institute of Peace.
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