Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Latpadaung protestor sentenced to two years for sedition
• Muslim affairs group seeks justice in Htan Gone
• Burma approves long-awaited telecoms bill

Latpadaung protestor sentenced to two years for sedition Posted: 29 Aug 2013 05:30 AM PDT Naw Ohn Hla was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with labour under a charge of sedition in a highly controversial trial in Monywa on Thursday. The veteran activist and former political prisoner had been arrested in mid-August for organising a public protest in the Sagaing division capital against the Latpadaung copper mining project. Her lawyer Robert San Aung said she was sentenced under Article 505(b) of the penal code for sedition in a trial at Monywa township court that began on Tuesday. Related Stories Women's group slams 'violent' arrest of Latpadaung activists Latpadaung protestor hit with charges for demonstrating without permission He said he was unable to attend the hearing on Thursday and that Naw Ohn Hla had refused to appear in court without the representation of her lawyer. She was subsequently dragged into the courtroom by female police officials. He slammed the trial as unfair and condemned the court for sentencing her without the presence of a defence lawyer. "She refused to leave the holding cell in protest at being tried without a legal defence," he said. "Female police officers were ordered to drag her into court where sentence was passed. It is highly questionable whether this procedure represents a fair trial."

Muslim affairs group seeks justice in Htan Gone Posted: 29 Aug 2013 04:50 AM PDT The Myanmar Muslim National Affairs Federation (MMNAF) has pledged to push the Burmese government to take action against the rioters who burnt down Muslim homes and properties in Sagaing division's Kanbalu township on 14 August, and to ensure that residents displaced by the attack are rehabilitated to their original neighborhoods. "We will do everything we can to ensure that villagers are returned to their original locations and push for action against the rioters," said Kyaw Khin, the MMNAF general-secretary. More than 50 Muslim homes, a rice mill, a chicken farm and over a dozen shops were destroyed in a riot that took place in Htan Gone village on 24-25 August. Over 300 displaced residents are currently sheltered in an Islamic school. Kyaw Khin said officials from the MMNAF's Mandalay headquarters on 27 August paid a visit to the village to inspect the damage first-hand and to hand out aid to the displaced victims. Sagaing upper house MP Myint Naing also visited the town and made a donation of two million kyat (over US$20,000) to the displaced. But he said that how and where the villagers are rehabilitated is a decision for the local government. "The Muslim quarter of Htan Gone is somewhat spread out," he said. "The displaced villagers should have the right to be returned to their former neighborhoods, but this is a matter for the government." Myint Naing asserted that the majority of the rioters were not residents of Htan Gone but were from nearby areas. Related Stories MP blames local authorities for Htan Gone riot Muslim homes left smouldering after night of mob violence in Htan Gone Security forces step in as anti-Muslim riot erupts in Sagaing About a dozen individuals have been detained by police for questioning with regards to Saturday night's anti-Muslim violence. Htan Gone police have so far declined to elaborate on what charges will be brought against those detained nor did they disclose where the alleged rioters were being held, however they emphasised that calm had now been restored to the town. Since June last year, various parts of Burma have been ravaged by anti-Muslim riots, the initial incident triggering the violence being the alleged rape and murder of a local Buddhist woman by three Muslim youths in Arakan state. President Thein Sein has indicated publicly that certain unnamed groups were behind the violence and that the attacks were coordinated.

Burma approves long-awaited telecoms bill Posted: 28 Aug 2013 08:55 PM PDT Burma’s parliament has passed a telecoms bill paving the way for licensed international firms to operate, state media said Wednesday, in the latest move to open the potentially lucrative mobile market. The former junta-run nation last month awarded telecom licences to Norway’s Telenor and Qatari firm Ooredoo as it tries to raise telephone coverage from less than 10 percent currently to 80 percent by 2016. The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the bill had been approved by parliament. MP Phone Myint Aung said the move would mean “international operators can launch their operations. They are waiting for this bill.” The bill still requires the signature of President Thein Sein to come into effect. “We have not yet had an opportunity to review the legislation but look forward to the final approval of the Telecommunications Law and to also reviewing the implementing regulations,” Telenor said in a statement. “A clear and stable regulatory and legislative framework that ensures predictability and a level and transparent playing field is important for a long-term investor such as Telenor.” Telenor added that it was still finalising the terms and conditions of the licence. The bid process has been closely watched as a bellwether of economic reforms aimed at driving rapid foreign investment in the nation, which has seen sweeping changes since a quasi-civilian government replaced the military regime in 2011. Ooredoo, formerly known as Qatar Telecom, this month pledged to introduce “affordable” phone services to Burma next year as it pumps US$15 billion into the country as part of its 15-year 3G licence. Few can currently afford mobile phones and SIM card fees, which in the past cost about US$200, although the government is trying to make prices more affordable. In April state-owned giant Myanmar Post and Telecommunication announced it would start selling SIM cards for less than US$2, and the authorities have begun selling them on a lottery basis. Another report in Wednesday’s state media said one such lottery in Pyinmana, on the outskirts of the capital Naypyidaw, had selected “slow vehicle drivers” as the recipients of its budget SIM cards. Naypyidaw’s council has sold 95 cheap SIMs to “pony cart and trishaw drivers” in the area, the report said.

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