Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Suu Kyi told to put her feet up
• SEA Games triumph for Burma
• President’s Office downplays ‘Cars for Peace’ controversy
• Eleven Media hit back at jailing of reporter
• Thai smugglers unlikely to be given pardons in Burma

Suu Kyi told to put her feet up Posted: 23 Dec 2013 03:54 AM PST National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has cancelled all engagements for the remainder of the year as her doctor has advised her to rest following a minor medical operation last Monday for bunions on her big toe. Suu Kyi's family doctor Tin Myo Win said the 68-year-old Nobel Prize winner is in good health after successful surgery at Rangoon's Asia Royal; however she must avoid standing or walking for lengths of time. Party spokesperson Nyan Win said a planned visit by Suu Kyi to the town of Maubin in Irrawaddy division where she was scheduled to address constitution reform had been cancelled. Suu Kyi was also planning to visit Chin state in northwestern Burma from 6 to 10 January – the spokesperson said the schedule now may change depending on her condition. Related Stories Constitution review meeting set for 7 January Suu Kyi says constitutional reform will unify military and people Living in serenity is best medicine, says Suu Kyi

SEA Games triumph for Burma Posted: 23 Dec 2013 01:25 AM PST After two weeks of sporting delights from some of the best athletes in Southeast Asia, Burma marked the finale of the SEA Games with a spectacular closing ceremony in Naypyidaw on Sunday evening. In a vibrant display of colour and movement, thousands of dancers performed scenes from Burmese history. Burma finished second in the medal tally with 86 gold medals while Thailand topped the league with 107 golds. Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia followed, making up the top five. Related Stories Burma snatches sepak takraw gold Women footballers suffer heartbreak but restore Burmese pride Horse play For Burma, the Games were more than just about sporting triumphs, it was an opportunity for the once pariah state to prove to the world they could host an international event. Some people were skeptical that Burma could pull it off, and many were annoyed that traditional Burmese sports were included, such as Chinlone, saying the move was in order to boost their medal count. As a seal of approval, the International Olympic Committee presented Burma with a trophy for successfully hosting the SEA Games for the first time in 44 years. The ceremony also signaled the handover of the games to Singapore in 2015. Burma must now turn its attention to the ASEAN ParaGames, which will be held in Naypyidaw in two weeks time.

President’s Office downplays ‘Cars for Peace’ controversy Posted: 23 Dec 2013 01:01 AM PST The President's Office has sought to mitigate a controversy over its delivery of hundreds of vehicle import permits to at least 14 ethnic groups, a measure some commentators are calling a "Cars for Peace" scandal. At a press conference hosted by the Myanmar Peace Centre, official Nyo Ohn Myint told journalists that the car permits were offered to the ethnic armed groups attending Union Day festivities in Naypyidaw on 12 February after several ethnic officials had requested the permits in order to register legally vehicles that had been brought in to the country via land borders. "The permits were requested by the ethnic groups – they said they prefer not using unlicensed vehicles. The minister proposed to the cabinet to grant them permits and the cabinet approved," said Nyo Ohn Myint. Nyo Ohn Myint added that granting vehicle permits to ceasefire groups has been a long-practised tradition, not just by the current government but by the previous rulers of the country. Related Stories KNU urges all sub-groups to unite as Karen for census KNU shelve Hpa-an talks till next year Women get behind the wheel Last Thursday, the Karen National Union (KNU) held a press conference rejecting allegations by Eleven News Media that armed groups altogether received over 1,000 vehicle permits. He said the true number is only 870. KNU's Central Committee member Mahn Nyein Maung said 290 of the permits are tax-free and the others are set at a 60 percent reduced tax rate. Permits for luxury cars in Burma are known to sell for up to US$100,000. The armed groups known to have received the vehicle permits are: the KNU, Shan State Army-North, Shan State Army-South, United Wa State Army, Karenni Progressive Party, New Mon State Party, National Democratic Alliance Army, National Front, Karen National Union (Peace Council), Pa-O National Organisation, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang and All-Burmese Students Democratic Front.

Eleven Media hit back at jailing of reporter Posted: 22 Dec 2013 09:04 PM PST The Eleven Media Group has said it is investigating for evidence of a mistrial at Karenni state's Loikaw Township Court which last week sentenced one of its local reporters to three months in jail for trespassing, criminal defamation and using obscene language. Eleven Daily reporter Naw Khine Khine Aye Cho (also known as Ma Khine) was sued by lawyer Aye Aye Pho in late October after the latter accused the journalist of forcibly entering her home to interview her about a court case. Aye Aye Pho claims Ma Khine verbally abused and defamed her when asked her to leave the property. However, in her court testimony, the reporter claimed she was invited into Aye Aye Pho's home and had identified herself as a journalist. She said the lawyer became angry when questioned about the legal fees she charged clients and asked her to leave. On 17 December, the court sentenced Naw Khine Khine Aye Cho to serve a concurrent three-month term in prison for trespassing including one month each for defamation and using obscene language. The Eleven Daily's Chief Editor Wai Phyo said the media group is preparing an independent investigation to find out whether the trial was conducted fairly and, if not, will subsequently file a counter-lawsuit. Related Stories Burmese govt attacks Sun Rays journal Burma amends controversial publishing law Rangoon police arrest Bangladeshi nationals for 'defaming' Buddhism He also criticised Burma's criminal defamation law which is enshrined in the colonial era penal code and carries sentences of up to two years for journalists. "The [defamation law] is a common threat for any journalist at any time. Jailing a journalist under this law is a hindrance to media freedom, and both the charges and the sentences [against the reporter] were unfair," said Wai Phyo. "We are looking to launch an investigation to find out if there was interference by authorities in the trial and will press for a lawsuit against those who are found responsible." On 19 December, the Eleven Daily published an eight-point statement denouncing Loikaw Township Court's judge for jailing the reporter. Aung Thein, a member of the Myanmar Lawyers Network, said that authorities who prosecute journalists for doing their job can be seen as a challenge to media freedom, but journalists are also liable for criminal lawsuits if they step out of line. Chief reporter Shwe Hmone of the Union Weekly News Journal backed Eleven Daily editor Wai Phyo's statement, insisting that jailing journalists under various "convenient" laws was an attempt to obstruct media freedom. "Jailing journalists with ease under such circumstances is an obstruction to media freedom and is something that has been done repeatedly," said Shwe Hmone. "We understand that media networks and bodies are planning an action regarding this case and we will be monitoring its development. Shawn Crispin, the senior Southeast Asia representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said, "We call for the verdict against journalist Ma Khine to be scrapped on appeal. The jailing of a journalist on questionable charges shows just how far Burma still needs to go in reforming and scrapping laws that are often used to suppress the media." Eleven Media Group is the publisher of Eleven Daily newspaper and Eleven Weekly news journal.

Thai smugglers unlikely to be given pardons in Burma Posted: 22 Dec 2013 08:07 PM PST Thanom Chansamut and Kalaya Thavor were among 92 Thais arrested in July last year in Kawthaung, opposite Ranong, for illegal entry and encroaching on a forest. However, the pair faced additional charges and were found guilty of possessing illicit drugs and weapons. The others were convicted of illegal entry and encroachment on a local forest and have since received pardons. Somchai Chansamut, a relative of Thanom, Sunday pleaded with Thai authorities to find a channel to seek the release of the pair or a reduction in the jail term. He said the families were afraid the case might have been “forgotten”. Related Stories Opium production up 26 percent in Burma, says UN Bangkok protests delay pardon for Burmese inmates, says ambassador Burma’s uphill struggle against escalating drug use Mr Somchai said the Burmese government is known to grant pardons to inmates at the end of the year. “This could be a chance for the Thai government to seek a pardon,” he said. Col Uthit Anantananont, member of a local Thai-Burmese border committee, said authorities had been working on the case. However, he said Burmese authorities showed no signs that leniency would be considered. He said the chance of the pair being granted pardons was slim. This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 23 December 2013.

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